(20-04-16) Riboflavin Lowers Blood Pressure : A Review of a Novel Gene nutrient Interaction

JJ Strain*, Catherine F

A B S T R A C T
Hypertension, defined as a systolic/diastolic blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg or greater, is estimated
to carry a threefold increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). Evidence from genome wide association studies has identified an associatio
n 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 of flavin 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 propensityto dissociate from FAD. Our findings revealed that CVD patients with MTHFR677TT genotype (compared to CC or CT genotype) have significantly higher blood pressure, and that blood pressure was highly respons
ive to intervention with riboflavin, resulting in significant lowering, specificall
y 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 at risk group, may offer a personalised nondrug approach to managing hypertension.

fonte: Nutrition and Food Sciences Research Vol 2No2AprJun 2015, pages: 3

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