Homocysteine and Peripheral White Blood Cell Count-derived Ratios: Insights from Healthy Population

Homocysteine (Hcy) and dyslipidemia are established risk parameters of atherosclerosis. Considerable research has been conducted using ratios of lymphocytes to other cellular components of the peripheral white blood cell count (PBC) as biomarkers. The association between white blood cell (WBC) count and body mass index, total cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, blood pressure, and lifestyle factors has been studied. The present study explored the connections of PBC-derived ratios with Hcy and lipid parameters in healthy individuals.

Hcy levels were assessed in residual samples collected from individuals visiting the hospital for their annual check-up. Lipid and leukocyte profile was retrieved from the Laboratory Information System (LIS). Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), monocyte-high-density lipoprotein ratio (MHR), and lymphocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol ratio (LHR) were calculated. Bivariate correlation was used to assess the association between Hcy, lipid profile, and PBC-derived ratios.

Hyperhomocystinemia (HHcy) was detected in 43.54% of healthy individuals and was associated with a significant increase in eosinophils (P = 0.019). Dyslipidemia and increased PBC-derived ratios were observed in HHcy, without statistical significance. Significant negative correlation of neutrophils (r = -0.346, P = 0.042) was observed with normal Hcy (NHcy) levels and with eosinophils (r = -0.476, P = 0.013) and basophils (r = -0.575, P = 0.002) in HHcy.

The study reveals that HHcy is associated with significant alterations in PBCs.