(11-02-16) Riboflavin Lowers Blood Pressure: A Review of a Novel Gene nutrient Interaction

Review Article

JJ Strain*, Catherine FHughes, Helene McNulty, Mary WardNorthern Ireland Centre for Food and Health, University of Ulster, Coleraine, United Kingdo


Hypertension, defined as a systolic/diastolic blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg or greater, is estimatedto carry a threefold increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). Evidence from genomewide association studies has identified an association between blood pressure and the gene encoding the folate
metabolising enzyme, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR). Recent meta
analyses of observational studies show an increased risk of hypertension in people homozygous for the 677CT polymorphism in MTHFRRiboflavin in the form offlavin adenine dinucleotide(FAD) acts as a cofactor for MTHFR, and the variant enzyme is known from molecular studies to become inactive for having an increased propensity
to dissociate from FAD. Our findings revealed that CVD patients with MTHFR
677TT genotype (compared to CC or CT genotype) have significantly higher blood pressure, and that blood pressure was highly responsive to intervention with riboflavin, resulting in significant lowering, specifically in the TT genotype group. Further investigations confirmed this genenutrient interaction in hypertensive patients (with and without overt CVD), and showed that the blood pressure lowering effect of riboflavin in the TT genotype group was independent of antihypertensive drug use
Although the precise mechanism linking this polymorphism to hypertension remains
to be established, it would appear that the biological perturbation, which leads to higher blood pressure in individuals with MTHFR 677TT genotype, is modifiable by correcting the variant MTHFR enzyme through enhancing riboflavin status. Thus riboflavin, targeted specifically at this genetically atrisk group, may offer a
personalised nondrug approach to managing hypertension

Source: Nutrition and Food Sciences Research Vol 2, No2, Apr-Jun 2015, pages: 36

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