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Homocysteine--risk factor for ischemic stroke?

A P S Narang1, Indu Verma, Satinder Kaur

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, Dayanand Medical College & Hospital, Ludhiana 141 001. narang.aps@gmail.com

Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
|October 9, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Elevated homocysteine levels are significantly linked to ischemic stroke risk, independent of common factors like diabetes. This finding highlights homocysteine as a potential biomarker for stroke.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Cardiovascular Science
  • Clinical Biochemistry

Background:

  • Hyperhomocysteinemia, an elevation of homocysteine in the blood, is increasingly recognized as a potential risk factor for vascular diseases.
  • Ischemic stroke, a leading cause of disability and mortality, necessitates the identification of modifiable risk factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate and compare serum homocysteine levels between patients diagnosed with ischemic stroke and a healthy control group.
  • To determine if elevated homocysteine levels in ischemic stroke patients are associated with other common risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, age, sex, and hypertension.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study was conducted involving 117 patients with ischemic stroke and 101 age- and sex-matched controls.
  • Serum homocysteine levels were measured using a standard biochemical assay.
  • Statistical analysis, including t-tests and regression, was employed to compare homocysteine levels and assess associations with clinical variables.

Main Results:

  • Patients with ischemic stroke exhibited significantly higher mean homocysteine levels (16.80 ± 6.71 µmol/L) compared to controls (12.30 ± 4.68 µmol/L) (P < 0.01).
  • The elevated homocysteine levels in ischemic stroke patients were found to be independent of diabetes mellitus, age, and sex.
  • A statistically significant elevation in homocysteine was also observed in hypertensive subjects compared to non-hypertensive individuals (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

  • Elevated serum homocysteine is a significant risk factor associated with ischemic stroke.
  • Homocysteine levels in ischemic stroke patients are not influenced by diabetes, age, or sex, suggesting a direct role in stroke pathogenesis.
  • Hypertension exacerbates homocysteine levels, further emphasizing the link between homocysteine and cerebrovascular health.

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