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Abdominal aortic aneurysm and its correlation to plasma homocysteine, and vitamins

A A Warsi1, B Davies, G Morris-Stiff

  • 1Royal Glamorgan Hospital, Ynysmaerdy, Llantrisant, Rhondda Cynon Taff, S Wales, UK.

European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery : the Official Journal of the European Society for Vascular Surgery
|December 4, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Elevated homocysteine and lower vitamin B12 levels are linked to abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Further research into vitamin supplementation for vascular disease progression is recommended.

Area of Science:

  • Vascular Biology
  • Nutritional Biochemistry

Background:

  • Hyperhomocysteinemia is a known risk factor for atherosclerotic diseases.
  • The relationship between homocysteine and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is not well understood.
  • Vitamins B12 and folic acid influence homocysteine levels, but their role in AAA is unexamined.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between plasma homocysteine, serum vitamin B12, folic acid levels, and AAA.
  • To explore the potential role of vitamins in the development or progression of AAA.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study was conducted with 38 AAA patients and 36 controls.
  • Fasting homocysteine, vitamin B12, and folic acid levels were measured using fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA).

Main Results:

  • AAA patients exhibited significantly higher plasma homocysteine levels (19.4 micromol/L) compared to controls (10.9 micromol/L).
  • A significant proportion of AAA patients (68%) had elevated homocysteine compared to controls (6%).
  • AAA patients showed lower mean serum vitamin B12 levels (332.11 pg/L) than controls (414.33 pg/L).

Conclusions:

  • This study confirms elevated plasma homocysteine and reduced vitamin B12 levels in AAA patients.
  • Vitamin supplementation, potentially lowering homocysteine, may influence vascular disease progression.
  • Clinical trials investigating vitamin supplementation for AAA are warranted.
Abstract

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