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[Hyperhomocysteinemia in men of Novosibirsk]

Iu P Nikitin, O V Motina, G I Simonova

    Kardiologiia
    |May 20, 2006
    PubMed

    Insights

    Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHC) affects 50% of middle-aged men in Novosibirsk. Moderate to severe HHC showed no link to heart disease but correlated with stroke history and lower vitamin E levels.

    Area of Science:

    • Cardiology
    • Nutritional Science
    • Epidemiology

    Background:

    • Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHC) is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD).
    • Eastern European populations exhibit varying CVD risk factors.
    • Vitamin deficiencies can influence homocysteine levels.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To determine the prevalence of HHC in a male population sample in Novosibirsk.
    • To investigate the association between HHC and coronary heart disease (CHD).
    • To explore correlations between HHC, traditional CVD risk factors, and alpha-tocopherol levels.

    Main Methods:

    • Cross-sectional study of 84 males aged 50-64 in Novosibirsk.
    • Assessment during winter-spring vitamin deficiency period.
    • Analysis of homocysteine levels, CHD, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, smoking, body weight, and LDL alpha-tocopherol.

    Main Results:

    • HHC prevalence was 50%, with 90.5% moderate (15-30 micromol/l) and 9.5% medium (30-100 micromol/l).
    • No significant correlation found between homocysteine levels and CHD or major risk factors.
    • HHC correlated positively with age and stroke history, and negatively with LDL alpha-tocopherol.
    • Men with medium HHC had higher blood pressure and 29% lower LDL alpha-tocopherol compared to normohomocysteinemic men.

    Conclusions:

    • HHC is highly prevalent in this male cohort, particularly during periods of vitamin deficiency.
    • HHC was not directly associated with CHD in this sample, contrary to some previous findings.
    • HHC may be linked to increased stroke risk and altered lipid profiles, specifically reduced antioxidant capacity (alpha-tocopherol).

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