Türk Biyokimya Dergisi (Dec 2006)
Determinants Of Plasma Homocysteine Levels In Healthy People
Abstract
Elevated plasma homocysteine is considered to be an independent risk factor forcardiovascular diseases. In the present study, relations between plasma homocysteineand demographics, lifestyle factors and blood vitamin concentrations wereinvestigated in a population-based sample. Homocysteine and vitamin concentrationswere measured in the 126 healthy people aged 31-73 year. All participantscompleted the questionnaires about factors including demographics and lifestylefactors, and dietary records. Homocysteine values were higher in men as comparedto women (11.8 vs. 10.6 μmol/L; p <0.05). Non-smokers had lower homocysteinelevels as compared to light-moderate smokers (10.0 vs. 11.1 μmol/L; p <0.05) and ascompared to heavy smokers (10.0 vs. 12.2 μmol/L; p <0.01). Homocysteine was significantlylower in the highest fruit and vegetable intake group than in the lowest intakegroup (10.4 vs. 12.8; p <0.01). The homocysteine concentration was negativelyassociated with serum folate (r = -0.39, p <0.0001) and serum vitamin B12 (r = -0.25,p <0.005), and was positively associated with age (r = 0.029; p <0.001). There wasalso a weak correlation between body mass index and homocysteine. Multivariateanalysis after adjusting for several potential confounders confirmed the previousassociations. No association was found between homocysteine levels and physicalstatus or blood lipids. Homocysteine levels were not also associated with educationor the financial status of the participants. In conclusion, in this healthy group, thesignificant predictors of homocysteine concentration were sex, age, smoking, fruitand vegetable intake, body mass index, serum folate, and serum vitamin B12.
