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Published on: October 12, 2017
[Plasma homocysteine levels in Spanish patients with coronary artery disease]
A Domínguez Rodríguez1, P Abreu González, A Jiménez Sosa
1Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital Universitario de Canarias, Ctra. La Cuesta-Taco, s/n. 38320 Ofra. La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Insights
This study found no significant association between high homocysteine (HCY) levels and coronary artery disease (CAD) risk in Canary Islands residents. Further intervention trials are needed to confirm if hyperhomocysteinemia is a cardiovascular disease risk factor.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Biochemistry
- Epidemiology
Context:
- Elevated plasma homocysteine (HCY) is a suspected risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD).
- Proposed mechanisms include endothelial dysfunction and increased thrombosis risk.
- Geographic populations may exhibit unique risk factor profiles.
Purpose:
- To investigate plasma homocysteine levels in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) in the Canary Islands.
- To determine if hyperhomocysteinemia is a significant risk factor for CAD in this population.
Summary:
- A study of 132 CAD patients and 18 controls in the Canary Islands measured HCY and other biochemical markers.
- No significant difference in mean HCY levels was observed between CAD patients and controls (p=0.37).
- Logistic regression analysis did not reveal a significant association between HCY levels and CAD risk.
Impact:
- This research challenges the established view of hyperhomocysteinemia as a direct risk factor for CAD.
- Highlights the need for controlled intervention trials to elucidate the relationship between HCY and cardiovascular disease.
- Informs future research on homocysteine's role in vascular health.
Objective:
A rise in plasma levels of the amino acid homocysteine (HCY) is a possible risk factor in cardiovascular disease. The mechanisms proposed to explain how HCY can increase the risk of vascular disease include its direct effect on the vascular endothelium and its role in increasing the risk of thrombosis. The present work has been designed to determine HCY levels in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) residents in the Canary Islands and to establish whether hyperhomocysteinemia can be considered as an risk factor.
Methods:
The sample studied consisted of 132 patients with, angiographically demonstrated, CAD and 18 controls with normal coronary arteries. Biochemical parameters determined included: HCY, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, folic acid, creatinine, cholesterol and its fractions, triglycerides, glucose and fibrinogen.
Results:
Mean levels of HCY were not significantly different between the cases and controls (p = 0.37). In the distribution of HCY levels into quintiles there was no significant association between the quintiles and the occurrence of CAD (p = 0.57). Multiple logistic regression analysis in which the risk factors were compared with quintiles 2, 3, 4 and 5 of HCY did not reveal a significant relation between HCY levels and risk of CAD.
Conclusions:
This study questions the previously accepted consideration that hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor of CAD. Controlled intervention trials are, therefore, necessary to clarify the possible association between total HCY levels and cardiovascular disease.
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