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Racial variation in fasting and random homocysteine levels
1Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10467, USA.
Insights
White males exhibit higher fasting homocysteine (Hcy) levels compared to black males and females. This difference in Hcy may be linked to genetic variations in the MTHFR enzyme.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Genetics
- Public Health
Background:
- Elevated homocysteine (Hcy) levels are recognized as a risk factor for thrombotic diseases.
- Understanding racial and gender-based variations in Hcy is crucial for risk assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate significant racial differences in fasting and random homocysteine (Hcy) levels between Black and White individuals.
- To explore the influence of B12 and folate levels on Hcy variations across racial groups.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 100 participants (50 Black, 50 White), equally divided by gender, was studied.
- Fasting and random serum Hcy, B12, folate, BUN, creatinine, and lipid profiles were measured.
- Detailed dietary, medication, smoking, alcohol, medical, educational, and occupational histories were collected, along with BMI.
Main Results:
- White males displayed the highest fasting Hcy levels (10.5 microM/l).
- No significant differences were observed in random Hcy levels between groups.
- Black subjects had significantly higher B12 levels than White subjects (490.8 vs. 382.8 pg/ml), but this had minimal impact on total Hcy.
- Folic acid levels did not significantly differ between racial groups and showed little correlation with Hcy.
Conclusions:
- White males exhibit higher fasting Hcy levels than Black males and females within the studied cohort.
- Observed discrepancies in Hcy levels may be attributed to methylene-tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) enzyme polymorphisms, which are more prevalent in White populations.
- Socioeconomic factors appear less likely to explain the observed racial differences in Hcy levels.
Abstract:
Homocysteine (Hcy) levels have been shown to be a predeterminant of thrombotic diseases. We measured the Hcy levels of 50 blacks and 50 whites equally divided by gender to determine if there is a significant racial difference in either fasting or random Hcy levels. Dietary, medication, smoking, alcohol, past medical, educational, and occupational histories were obtained, and the body mass index calculated. Total serum fasting and random Hcy levels, B12, folate, BUN, creatinine, and lipid profiles were drawn from each participant. Analysis of the results showed that white males have the highest fasting Hcy levels, 10.5 microM/l, whereas random Hcy levels were not significantly different. Correlation between fasting and random Hcy levels was poor (R = 0.61). B12 levels in black subjects were significantly higher, 490.8 pg/ml, compared to whites, 382.8 pg/ml, P = 0.001, but contributed little to total Hcy levels (R(2) = 0.08). Folic acid levels, all within normal range, were not significantly different between the two racial groups and also did not appear to greatly affect Hcy levels (R(2) = 0.06). Our study demonstrates that, despite the genetic diversity of these two racial groups in the U.S., white males in this age group have higher fasting Hcy levels than black males, and white males, but not black males, have higher fasting homocysteine levels than females. This discrepancy in Hcy levels may reflect methylene-tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) enzyme polymorphisms, known to be higher in whites, rather than socioeconomic influences.
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