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Hyperhomocysteinemia and endothelial function in young subjects: effects of vitamin supplementation

Sandra Hirsch1, M Pia De la Maza, Paulina Yañez

  • 1Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, University of Chile, Santiago. shirsch@uec.inta.uchile.cl

Clinical Cardiology
|November 15, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Mild hyperhomocysteinemia in young men is not linked to endothelial dysfunction. Vitamin supplementation did not improve endothelial function, suggesting total homocysteine (tHcy) levels may be more related to vitamin B12 than folic acid.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Science
  • Nutritional Biochemistry
  • Vascular Biology

Background:

  • The link between elevated total homocysteine (tHcy) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) requires further clarification.
  • Endothelial dysfunction is an early marker of CVD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between hyperhomocysteinemia and endothelial dysfunction in young males without other cardiovascular risk factors.
  • To assess the impact of vitamin supplementation on total homocysteine (tHcy) levels and endothelial function.

Main Methods:

  • Recruited 20 hyperhomocysteinemic and 20 normohomocysteinemic young males, excluding those with CVD risk factors.
  • Measured serum tHcy, vitamin B12, folate, coagulation factors, and LDL oxidation.
  • Assessed endothelial-dependent (EDD) and independent dilatation (EID) via ultrasound before and after 8-week vitamin (folic acid, B12, B6) or placebo supplementation.

Main Results:

  • Hyperhomocysteinemic subjects had lower baseline vitamin B12 levels.
  • Vitamin supplementation significantly reduced plasma tHcy and increased serum folic acid and vitamin B12 levels in supplemented groups.
  • No significant improvement in endothelial-dependent dilatation (EDD) or antithrombotic function was observed after vitamin treatment.

Conclusions:

  • Mild hyperhomocysteinemia is not associated with endothelial dysfunction in young males lacking other cardiovascular risk factors.
  • Vitamin-induced reduction of tHcy did not improve endothelial function in this cohort.
  • The study suggests a stronger relationship between tHcy levels and vitamin B12 status compared to folic acid.
Abstract

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