Relationship of homocysteine and homocysteine‐related vitamins to bone mineral density in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes

Aims/Introduction: To estimate nutritional risk factors for osteoporosis in patients with type 2 diabetes, bone mineral density, homocysteine level, and intakes and levels of Hcy‐related vitamins including folate, vitamin B(6) and vitamin B(12) were analyzed in a cross‐sectional study. Materials and Methods: Lumbar spine and femoral neck bone mineral density, serum concentrations of vitamin B(6), vitamin B(12), and folate and plasma homocysteine levels were measured in 125 Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes. Nutrient intake values were evaluated using a food frequency questionnaire. Results: Homocysteine was inversely correlated with bone mineral density, and with both dietary intake and serum concentration of folate. Intake of green vegetables was correlated with intake and level of folate and homocysteine levels. When the population was analyzed across the quartiles, bone mineral density, serum folate concentration, folate intake and intake of green vegetables were lowest in the highest homocysteine group. Conclusions: In patients with type 2 diabetes, the nutritional status of folate might affect the homocysteine level, a putative risk factor for osteoporosis. (J Diabetes Invest, doi: 10.1111/j.2040‐1124.2010.00088.x, 2011)