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Relationship between serum homocysteine levels and structural-functional carotid arterial abnormalities in inactive

Ramazan Ozdemir1, Julide Yagmur, Nusret Acikgoz

  • 1drramazan_ozdemir@hotmail.com.

Kardiologia Polska
|December 2, 2017
PubMed

Insights

High homocysteine levels worsen carotid artery health in Behçet's disease patients, increasing atherosclerosis risk. This highlights the need for cardiovascular risk assessment in BD patients.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Rheumatology
  • Vascular Biology

Background:

  • Behçet's disease (BD) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by vasculitis.
  • BD is associated with vascular endothelial dysfunction, increasing cardiovascular disease risk, including atherosclerosis.
  • Hyperhomocysteinaemia is an independent risk factor for arteriosclerotic vascular diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of plasma homocysteine (Hcy) on carotid artery structure and function in humans.
  • To assess the relationship between Hcy levels and carotid artery parameters in BD patients.

Main Methods:

  • Carotid sonography and Doppler ultrasound were used to measure carotid artery intima-media thickness (C-IMT), stiffness, and distensibility in 68 BD patients and 40 controls.
  • Plasma total Hcy levels were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
  • BD patients were sub-grouped based on hyperhomocysteinaemia (> 15 μmol/L).

Main Results:

  • BD patients exhibited increased C-IMT, beta stiffness, and decreased distensibility compared to controls.
  • Hyperhomocysteinaemia was significantly correlated with these adverse carotid artery changes in BD patients.
  • These findings suggest a potential link between Hcy and atherosclerosis development in BD.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated homocysteine may contribute to atherosclerosis in Behçet's disease patients.
  • These findings underscore the importance of identifying and managing cardiovascular risk in BD.
  • Future research should focus on prophylactic strategies for BD patients at risk of cardiovascular disease.
Abstract

Keywords:
Behçet’s diseasearterial distensibilityhomocysteine

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