Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease
Published on: June 16, 2014
Hyperhomocysteinemia in patients with mild chronic renal failure
N R Robles1, J Romero, L Gomez Casero
1Sección de Nefrología, Hospital Infanta Cristina, Carretera de Portugal s/n E-06070, Badajoz, Spain. nroblesp@meditex.es
Insights
High homocysteine (a substance in the blood) is very common in patients with mild renal failure. This suggests early evaluation for vitamin supplementation is needed for kidney health.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Clinical Biochemistry
Background:
- Mild renal failure is associated with various metabolic disturbances.
- Elevated homocysteine levels are a potential complication of impaired kidney function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of high plasma homocysteine levels in patients experiencing mild renal failure.
- To assess the impact of methionine loading on homocysteine levels in this cohort.
Main Methods:
- Study included 46 patients with chronic renal failure (mean creatinine clearance 50.6 ml/min) and 35 controls.
- Plasma homocysteine was measured at baseline and after an oral methionine challenge.
- Patients with severe renal failure were excluded from the analysis.
Main Results:
- Patients with mild renal failure exhibited significantly higher baseline homocysteine levels compared to controls (16.5 vs. 10.4 micromol/l, p<0.0001).
- After methionine loading, 83% of patients with mild renal failure presented with hyperhomocysteinemia.
- A substantial number of patients (34) and controls (4) had elevated homocysteine at baseline.
Conclusions:
- Hyperhomocysteinemia is a highly prevalent condition in individuals with mild renal failure.
- Early assessment of vitamin supplementation needs is recommended for patients in the initial stages of chronic kidney disease.
Background:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of high plasma levels of homocysteine in patients with mild renal failure.
Methods:
Forty-six chronic renal failure patients (25 males and 21 females, mean age 55.6+/-14.4 years) were recruited for the study. Mean plasma creatinine was 2.1+/-1.0 mg/dl and mean creatinine clearance was 50.6+/-26.3 ml/min. Patients with severe renal failure were excluded. Patients were compared with a control group with normal renal function (n=35, 22 men and 13 women, mean age 50.0+/-11.5 years). Plasma homocysteine values were measured in both groups at baseline and after an oral overload of methionine.
Results:
Baseline homocysteine levels of patients were higher than those of controls (16.5+/-7.3 vs. 10.4+/-4.2 micromol/l, p<0.0001). Some 34 patients and 4 controls had increased plasma homocysteine levels at baseline. After the oral overload, 4 more patients had abnormally increased homocysteine levels, meaning that 83% of the patients with chronic renal failure had hyperhomocysteinemia.
Conclusions:
Hyperhomocysteinemia is a very common finding among patients with mild renal failure. The need for vitamin supplementation should be evaluated in the first stage of chronic renal failure.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Factors Affecting Renal Clearance: Renal Impairment
One condition associated with renal failure is uremia. Uremia is characterized by impaired glomerular filtration and fluid accumulation in the body. This condition hinders the renal clearance of drugs, resulting in drug accumulation and potential...
01:11Renal Failure: Dose Adjustments
Reduced renal clearance and elimination rate are common outcomes of renal impairment. These alterations lead to a prolonged elimination half-life and an altered apparent volume of distribution for drugs. As a result, dosage adjustments are typically necessary to maintain optimal drug levels in the body.
However, dosage adjustments...
01:26Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Drug Dosing and Hepatic Blood Flow
01:19Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
01:24Chronic Kidney Disease II: Clinical Manifestations
01:28Chronic Kidney Disease III: Interprofessional Care