Plasma total homocysteine levels in a healthy Turkish population sample

The objective of this study is to determine the reference values of homocysteine levels from a sample of healthy native Turks, and the relationship of these levels with gender, age and other risk factors.

Plasma homocysteine level was measured in 159 healthy Turkish individuals. Homocysteine levels were determined by the HPLC method and differences between sex and age groupings (20-40 years, 41-60 years, and 61 and older) were compared. Mean homocysteine levels were 8.91 +/- 1.41 micromol/l. The median homocysteine level was 8.35 micromol/l (men 8.80, women 7.0). Homocysteine levels significantly increased with age (r = 0.49) and higher in men than in women in each age group (p < 0.05) (men: 9.51 +/- 1.40; women 7.38 +/- 1.36; p < 0.001). The cut-off point for high homocysteine level is selected to be the value that marks the upper 20% of the control population distribution (12.26 micromol/l). Postmenopausal > 60-year-old women manifested significantly higher increases in total homocysteine concentrations than 20 to 40-year-old premenopausal women. There were no significant correlations between homocysteine and body mass index, glucose, total and lipoprotein lipids, C-reactive protein, creatinine, smoking and alcohol consumption except blood pressure and uric acid.

These data indicate the significance of sex- and age-associated differences of homocysteine levels in native Turkish subjects. Upper reference limits for the plasma total homocysteine concentration increased with age and were higher for men than for women at all ages. Focusing public health initiatives on this issue may reduce the high prevalence of cardiovascular disease in the Turkish population.