Correlation between total homocysteine, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the serum of patients with myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVES: Determine the Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and serum total homocysteine in myocardial infarction patients and control subjects. DESIGN AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 126 patients 67 male, and 59 females, aged 29-73 (mean 48.65 +/- 3.81) years. The entry criteria for the patient group was typical or atypical chest pain, unequivocal changes in the electrocardiogram. The control group consisted of 135 normal volunteers, 71 male and 64 females, age 21-63 (mean 42.73 +/- 5.79) years. Measurement of serum total homocysteine was performed using gas chromatography. Measurement of Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and High-density lipoprotein cholesterol were performed using spectrophotometer. RESULTS: Patients with myocardial infarction were found to have higher serum total homocysteine levels than controls, (P < 0.05). Serum total homocysteine levels were significantly correlated with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. There was a negative correlation between total homocysteine and HDL-C levels (P < 0.05, r = -0.93). There was a positive correlation between total homocysteine and LDL-C levels (P < 0.05, r = 0.98). CONCLUSIONS: The above mentioned findings suggest the potential usefulness of LDL-C, HDL-C and serum total homocysteine as prognostic markers in myocardial infarction patients. These findings should influence future studies on the etiology and pathogenesis of myocardial infarction.