New research links high MMA levels to abdominal aortic calcification

Compuscript LtdApr 15 2024

Announcing a new article publication for Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications journal. Methylmalonic acid (MMA) buildup has recently been suggested to contribute to the onset of both age-related conditions and cardiovascular disorders. This research was aimed at examining the link between MMA and abdominal aortic calcification (AAC).

Data from the 2013-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were analyzed. Serum MMA levels were determined through LC-MS/MS, and MMA levels 250 nmol/L or above were considered high. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to assess the presence of AAC. Logistic regression analysis was performed after propensity score matching (PSM) to study the relationship between MMA and AAC.

A total of 2483 participants were involved in this study. To eliminate large differences between the AAC and non-AAC groups, 1:1 PSM was performed. Logistic regression analysis indicated that participants with high MMA levels had a significantly greater likelihood of experiencing AAC than those with low MMA levels (OR: 1.38, 95% CI: 1.01-1.90, P = 0.046). No statistically interaction effects between AAC and BMI or the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were observed in subgroup analyses.

This study indicated a significant association between high serum MMA levels and AAC incidence.