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Published on: March 26, 2020
Plasma homocysteine and retinal artery occlusive disease: a case-control study
Figen Narin1, Nazmi Narin, Canan Halici
1Department of Biochemistry, Erciyes University Medical Faculty, PK, Kayseri, Turkey. fnarin@erciyes.edu.tr
Insights
Elevated plasma homocysteine (HCY) is a significant risk factor for retinal artery occlusive disease. This study found higher HCY levels in patients compared to controls, suggesting a link.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Cardiovascular Research
- Metabolic Studies
Background:
- Elevated plasma homocysteine (HCY) is a known risk factor for vascular diseases.
- Retinal artery occlusive disease shares risk factors with other vascular conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if elevated plasma homocysteine is a risk factor for retinal artery occlusive disease.
- To compare homocysteine levels in patients with retinal artery occlusive disease and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 20 patients with retinal artery occlusive disease and 20 age-matched controls.
- Plasma homocysteine levels were measured using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).
- Hyperhomocysteinemia was defined as plasma HCY >15 micromol/L.
Main Results:
- Patients with retinal artery occlusive disease had significantly higher mean plasma HCY levels (21.23+/-9.53 micromol/L) compared to controls (12.59+/-4.97 micromol/L) (P<0.008).
- No correlation was found between HCY levels and serum triglycerides or cholesterol levels within either group.
Conclusions:
- High plasma homocysteine levels may be a risk factor for retinal artery occlusive disease.
- Further research is warranted to explore the specific mechanisms linking HCY to retinal vascular events.
Background:
Previous studies have documented that elevated plasma homocysteine is a risk factor for cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and peripheral vascular disease. In a case-control study, we sought to determine whether elevated homocysteine (HCY) is a risk factor for retinal artery occlusive disease PATIENTS AND METHODS. Study subjects consisted of 20 patients (12 male, 8 female) (mean age, 55.8; range 42-70 years) with clinical and objective evidence of retinal vascular occlusive disease and 20 age-matched control subjects (9 males, 11 females) (mean age, 55.3 years; range 50-68 years). Hyperhomocysteinemia was defined as a plasma HCY level >15 micromol/L by HPLC. We also measured concentrations of triglycerides, and total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol.
Results:
The mean plasma HCY level in the patient group was 21.23+/-9.53 micromol/L (range, 8.00-43.99 micromol/L) compared with 12.59+/-4.97 micromol/L (range, 6.38 to 22.88 micromol/L) in the control group (P<0.008). There was no correlation between HCY and serum triglycerides or cholesterol levels within each group. We conclude that high plasma HCY level may be a risk factor for retinal artery occlusive disease.
