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Association of mild hyperhomocysteinemia with aortic calcification in hypercholesterolemic patients
1Department of Geriatric Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. hirosen@med.keio.ac.jp
Insights
Mild hyperhomocysteinemia, elevated homocysteine levels, is linked to aortic calcification in patients with hyperlipidemia. Reducing homocysteine may decrease aortic calcification severity.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Biochemistry
- Radiology
Background:
- Homocysteine is a recognized risk factor for atherosclerosis.
- Hyperhomocysteinemia in animal models is associated with aortic calcification.
- This suggests a potential link between homocysteine levels and aortic calcification in humans.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between plasma homocysteine levels and the degree of aortic calcification in patients with hyperlipidemia.
Main Methods:
- Computed tomography (CT) of the aorta was used to assess aortic calcification.
- Plasma homocysteine levels were measured in 28 patients with hyperlipidemia.
- Patients were divided into high homocysteine level (HHL) and low homocysteine level (LHL) groups based on the mean level (8.7 microM).
Main Results:
- The HHL group showed a significantly higher degree of aortic calcification (19.1%) compared to the LHL group (10.5%) at the aortic bifurcation (p < 0.01).
- A positive association was found between plasma homocysteine levels and aortic calcification.
- Mild hyperhomocysteinemia was significantly associated with aortic calcification.
Conclusions:
- Mild hyperhomocysteinemia is associated with aortic calcification in patients with hyperlipidemia.
- Interventions aimed at lowering plasma homocysteine levels may potentially reduce the severity of aortic calcification.
- Further research is warranted to confirm these findings and explore therapeutic strategies.
Abstract:
Homocysteine is considered to be an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis. Experimental animal models of hyperhomocysteinemia show aortic calcification, suggesting that this disorder is associated with aortic calcification in humans. A total of 28 patients with hyperlipidemia were enrolled into this study. The degree of aortic calcification at the level of the bifurcation and 1 cm proximal to the bifurcation was assessed by computed tomography of the aorta and the association between calcification of the aorta and the plasma level of homocysteine was then analyzed. The mean plasma homocysteine level in 28 patients was 8.7 microM. They were divided into 2 groups, high homocysteine level group (HHL; homocysteine level >8.7 microM) and low homocysteine level group (LHL; homocysteine level < = 8.7 microM). The degree of aortic calcification at the level of the bifurcation differed significantly between the two groups (19.1% vs. 10.5%; p < 0.01). We found that mild hyperhomocysteinemia was associated with aortic calcification, which suggests that interventions to reduce the plasma level of homocysteine may also reduce the severity of aortic calcification.