Deficiencies of B6, folate, and B12 increase which levels in the blood that are a risk factor for atherosclerosis?

Deficiencies of B6, folate, and B12 increase which levels in the blood that are a risk factor for atherosclerosis?

• A. Uric acid
• B. Glucose
• C. Homocysteine
• D. LDL cholesterol

Answer: (C)

Deficiencies of B6, folate, and B12 cause elevated homocysteine in the blood, which increases the risk for atherosclerosis. Folate and B12 are essential cofactors for remethylating homocysteine back to methionine, while B6 is a key cofactor for the transsulfuration pathway that converts homocysteine to cystathionine. When these pathways are impaired, homocysteine accumulates, promoting endothelial injury, oxidative stress, and vascular changes that drive atherogenesis. Uric acid, glucose, and LDL cholesterol levels are not directly driven by these B vitamin deficiencies in the same way, so they don’t specifically reflect the effect of insufficient B6, folate, and B12.

Deficiencies of B6, folate, and B12 cause elevated homocysteine in the blood, which increases the risk for atherosclerosis. Folate and B12 are essential cofactors for remethylating homocysteine back to methionine, while B6 is a key cofactor for the transsulfuration pathway that converts homocysteine to cystathionine. When these pathways are impaired, homocysteine accumulates, promoting endothelial injury, oxidative stress, and vascular changes that drive atherogenesis. Uric acid, glucose, and LDL cholesterol levels are not directly driven by these B vitamin deficiencies in the same way, so they don’t specifically reflect the effect of insufficient B6, folate, and B12.