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Plasma homocysteine concentrations in a population with a low coronary heart disease prevalence

J B Ubbink1, R Delport, W J Vermaak

  • 1Department of Chemical Pathology, University of Pretoria, South Africa.

The Journal of Nutrition
|April 1, 1996
PubMed

Insights

Black South Africans have lower plasma homocysteine levels and better homocysteine metabolism than White South Africans. This may explain their lower risk of coronary heart disease.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Science
  • Nutritional Biochemistry
  • Population Health

Background:

  • Coronary heart disease (CHD) prevalence varies significantly between populations.
  • Hyperhomocysteinemia is a potential risk factor for CHD.
  • South African Black and White populations exhibit differing CHD prevalence.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate hyperhomocysteinemia as a potential CHD risk factor.
  • To compare plasma homocysteine levels and metabolism between South African Black and White populations.
  • To explore the relationship between homocysteine levels and CHD resistance.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of plasma homocysteine concentrations in adult Black men and White individuals.
  • Assessment of plasma homocysteine frequency distributions in children and adults.
  • Oral methionine load tests to evaluate homocysteine metabolism and identify methionine intolerance.

Main Results:

  • Significantly lower plasma homocysteine concentrations were observed in traditionally living adult Black men compared to Whites.
  • Plasma homocysteine distribution in Whites was positively skewed, suggesting acquired elevations in adulthood, unlike the normal distribution in children.
  • Young adult Whites exhibited methionine intolerance, indicated by elevated plasma homocysteine post-methionine load, unlike Black individuals.

Conclusions:

  • Black South Africans generally maintain lower circulating plasma homocysteine concentrations.
  • Black South Africans demonstrate more effective homocysteine metabolism following oral methionine loading.
  • These findings suggest that lower homocysteine levels and efficient metabolism may contribute to the relative resistance of Black South Africans to coronary heart disease.

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