浙江省602例选择性冠状动脉造影患者血脂水平分析

目的研究经选择性冠状动脉造影证实的冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病(冠心病)与非冠心病患者血脂水平的差异。方法测定602例住院行选择性冠状动脉造影患者血清总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)和非高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(nonHDL-C)水平,并根据冠脉造影结果进行比较分析。结果冠心病组血清TC、LDL-C、nonHDL-C稍高于对照组(4．70 mmol／L±1．22 mmol／L vs．4．49 mmol／L±0．96 mmol／L、2．63 mmol／L±1．00 mmol／L vs．2．44 mmol／L±0．77 mmol／L、3.45 mmol／L±1．14 mmol／L vs．3．22 mmol／L±0.92 mmol／L),差异有统计学意义(P<0．05,P<0．01);组间不同水平血脂的构成比除HDL-C、nonHDL-C外差异无统计学意义(P>0．05)。结论高脂血症并非浙江省冠状动脉粥样硬化患者的固有特征,冠心病与非冠心病人群血脂水平存在较大的重叠。     

北京城乡人群1168例血浆同型半胱氨酸分布及相关因素研究

目的：描述北京地区人群血浆同型半胱氨酸（Hcy）水平分布及特点，分析Hcy与相关因素的关系。方法：以北京地区城乡人群35－64岁男女两性1168人的调查结果为研究样本，对血浆同型半胱氨酸分布特点及与相关因素的关系进行统计学分析。结果：①血浆Hcy几何均数男性为15．4μmol/L，女性为12．2μmol/L，男性高于女性（P＜0．001）。②血浆Hcy分布存在着城乡差别，农村男性（18．0μmol/L）是城市男性（12．0μmol/L）的1．5倍（P＜0．001），农村女性（12．9μmol/L）是城市女性（9．6μmol/L的1．3倍（P＜0．001）。③北京城乡35－64岁人群中高Hcy血症（Hcy≥16μmol/L）的患病率为15．3％。④与相关因素分析显示：城乡、性别、受教育水平和吸烟是高同型半胱氨酸血症 的影响因素。结论：北京地区人群血浆同型半胱氨酸水平的分布存在着年龄、性别和城乡间差别；北京地区人群Hcy水平及高Hcy血症的患病率明显高于西方发达国家，尤其是农村地区；城乡间Hcy水平的差别可能更大程度地反映了环境因素的影响。     

2型糖尿病患者血清GH、IGF—Ⅰ的浓度改变及相关因素的研究

目的 通过放免分析法观察2型糖尿病患与Ⅰ型糖尿病患血清GH／IGF-Ⅰ轴改变的异同。方法 对19例Ⅰ型糖尿病和98倒2型糖尿病患的血清基础GH及IGF-Ⅰ浓度进行测定。将2型糖尿病患血清IGF—Ⅰ维度与其各项临床厦生化指标进行多元相关回归分析。结果 Ⅰ型糖尿病患GH水平(2．53±0．51μg／L)明显高于对照组(1．36±0．27μg／L,P<005);IGF-Ⅱ水平(191．5±14．1μg／L)则显低于对照组(266．3=17．1μg／L,P<0．01)。2型糖尿病患GH(0．60±0．11μg／L)水平与对照组(0．74±0．07μg／L)无显差别(P>0．05),IGF-Ⅰ(126．1±3．2μg／L)水平较正常(153．45：83μg／L)明显降低(P<0．05)。2型糖尿病患血清IGF-度与年龄(P<0．05)及HbAlc(P<0．05)呈负相关,与平均动脉压(P<0．05)和空腹胰岛索(尸<0．01)呈正相关。结论 2型糖尿病患GH／IGF—Ⅰ轴有着与Ⅰ型糖尿病患不同的改变,这种异常改变可能与持续高血糖水平有关。     

川崎病患儿血浆同型半胱氨酸的检测及其临床意义

目的:研究血浆同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)与川崎病(KD)冠状动脉病变的关系。方法:运用高效液相色谱仪测定18 例KD急性期患儿和20例健康对照儿童Hcy水平。结果:急性期KD患儿血浆Hcy水平15.30±5.68 μmol／L.显著高于正常对照 组7.36±2.82μmol／L,P<0.01,差异有高度显著性。结论:川崎病急性期存在高Hcy血症。     

农村地区血清同型半胱氨酸水平与既往脑卒中的关联分析

目的分析探讨农村地区血清同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)水平与既往脑卒中的关系。方法使用"卫生部脑卒中筛查与防治工程委员会"下发的《社区脑卒中高危人群发病和脑卒中再发风险评估表》,对北京市朝阳区王四营乡40岁及以上的北京市常住人口进行脑卒中风险筛查。对被评估为高危的筛查对象,做进一步的血清Hcy水平检测和颈动脉B超检查。结果共筛查5 027人,其中高危者1 676人。高危人群的血清Hcy平均水平为18.88±8.02μmol/L,男性高于女性,且随年龄增加而增高(P<0.05);高危人群中Hcy水平既往脑卒中组高于无脑卒中病史组,经多因素Logistic回归分析,提示性别、年龄和血清Hcy水平可能是既往脑卒中患病的危险因素。结论脑卒中高危人群血清Hcy水平普遍偏高(>10μmol/L),且既往脑卒中者血清Hcy水平高于无脑卒中病史者,性别、年龄和血清Hcy水平可能是既往脑卒中患病的危险因素。     

武汉市社区人群血浆同型半胱氨酸分布特征及影响因素的多元逐步回归分析

目的 描述武汉市社区人群血浆同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)在不同性别、不同年龄段分布水平和分布特征及采用多元逐步回归分析方法分析人群Hcy的主要影响因素。方法 以武汉市三个社区的全部人群作为研究对象,对Hcy的分布特征及相关影响因素进行统计学分析。结果 (1)Hcy几何均数男性为14.43μmol/L,女性为10.89μmol/L,男性高于女性,两者差异有显著统计学意义(P<0.001);(2)以年龄分层,每层男性Hcy水平亦高于女性,每层两者差异亦均有统计学意义;(3)武汉市社区人群高Hcy血症患病率为23.94％,男性患病率高于女性,是女性的2.62倍;(4)逐步回归分析显示,性别不同其Hcy的影响因素各不同,男性Hcy的影响因素有:日吸烟量、每周锻炼次数和尿微量白蛋白;女性的影响因素为:每次锻炼时间、体重、甘油三酯含量、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、尿微量白蛋白和年龄。结论 (1)武汉市社区人群血浆Hcy水平呈偏态分布,存在年龄性别差异;(2)武汉市社区人群高Hcy患病率高于发达国家,亦高于国内其他一些城市;(3)武汉市社区人群血浆Hcy的主要影响因素存在性别差异,与国外报道和与国内其他地区报道有所不同,提示血浆Hcy水平还可能受到环境等有关因素的影响。     

同型半胱氨酸水平与脑梗死及动脉狭窄支数的相关性研究

目的 探讨同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)水平与脑梗死以及动脉狭窄支数的关系.方法 选择80例脑梗死患者(脑梗死组)与50例对照者(对照组).脑梗死组患者中,磁共振成像血管造影(MRA)检查有≥2支动脉狭窄者32例,设为A组,无或有1支动脉狭窄者48例,设为B组.采用高效液相色谱分析法测定各组血浆Hcy水平,同时测定血清叶酸、维生素B12(VitB12)、血脂、血糖等指标.结果 脑梗死组Hcy水平[(21.10士8.98)μmol/L]显著高于对照组[(12.49±7.43)μmol/L,P＜0.05],叶酸、VitB12水平低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义.A组Hcy水平[(24.65±11.20)μmol/L]显著高于B组[(18.79±9.97)μmol/L,P＜0.05],A组叶酸水平[(3.63±2.32)μg/L]明显低于B组[(4.82±2.26)μg/L,P＜0.05].VitB12水平A组低于B组,但差异无统计学意义.结论 高同型半胱氨酸血症是脑梗死的重要独立危险因素,Hcy水平升高与脑梗死及动脉狭窄支数有关.     

新疆哈萨克族居民高尿酸血症与脂代谢关系

目的 了解新疆哈萨克族高尿酸血症患者的血脂水平,分析哈萨克族高尿酸血症与脂代谢之间的关系.方法 在新疆伊犁哈萨克族居民集中的地区随机抽取256例作为研究对象,其中高尿酸血组128例,对照组128人,分别检测血尿酸(SUA)及血脂相关生化指标.结果 生化指标中除总胆固醇TC、载脂蛋白-A1(Apo-A1)外,高尿酸组血尿酸SUA(469.31±87.38)μmol/L、尿素氮BUN(6.10±2.45)mmol/L、肌酐SCr(88.34±20.39)μmol/L、甘油三酯TG(1.66±1.24)mmol/L、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇LDL-C(2.72±1.13)mmol/L、载脂蛋-B(Apo-B)为(0.91±0.27)g/L、空腹血糖GLU(6.12±2.52)mmol/L,均高于对照组(P<0.05);高密度脂蛋白胆固醇HDL-C(1.49±0.82)mmol/L、Apo-A1/Apo-B(1.36±0.42)低于对照组(P<0.01).高尿酸组SUA男性(509.21±91.73)μmol/L,女性(424.09±54.46)μmol/L;对照组SUA男性(248.89±75.37)μmol/L,女性(199.49±54.30)μmol/L,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01);各年龄段均存在不同程度的脂代谢紊乱(除了≤30岁年龄段),以31～40岁年龄段脂代谢紊乱最为明显;相关性分析中血尿酸与年龄、TC、TG、BUN、SCr、LDL-C、Apo-B呈正相关,与HDL-C、Apo-A1/Apo-B呈负相关;多元回归分析结果表明,性别、HDL-C、BUN、TC、Apo-A1、Apo-A1/Apo-B是影响血尿酸的独立危险因素.结论 哈萨克族高尿酸血症患者的血脂水平均高于非高尿酸血症者;其尿酸水平的升高与脂代谢紊乱的发生密切相关;建议预防和治疗哈萨克族高尿酸血症时,应注意控制血脂水平的变化,降低血脂有助于治疗高尿酸血症.     

上海某社区35～59岁高血压人群同型半胱氨酸水平及其分布特征

【目的】分析上海某社区35~59岁高血压人群同型半胱氨酸(homocysteine,Hcy)水平及分布特征,了解该人群高同型半胱氨酸血症(hyperhomocysteinemia,HHcy)的患病率及其相关因素。【方法】采用整群随机抽样方法,对2016年上海某社区1 161例35~59岁高血压患者进行体格检查及问卷调查,并测定血浆Hcy水平,采用SPSS 22.0软件分析不同高血压人群Hcy水平及HHcy患病状况,采用非条件logistic回归方法分析HHcy相关危险因素。【结果】1 161例35~59岁高血压患者的Hcy中位数为14.80μmol/L(男性:18.10μmol/L,女性:13.70μmol/L,P0.05)。Hcy水平随年龄递增,不同高血压家族史、糖尿病史、高血压组别以及体质指数(BMI)比较,男、女性Hcy中位数水平差异均有统计学意义(P0.05);人群HHcy检出率为48.06%(男性72.12%,女性27.29%;χ2=232.45,P0.05)。高血压组别是男性HHcy的相关因素,重点组和好转组分别是稳定组的16.94倍及4.43倍;女性重点组及好转组相应OR值(95%CI)分别为42.63(16.13,121.94)及23.74(9.67,61.81);女性HHcy水平还与年龄相关,50岁以上年龄组的危险度是50岁以下组的2倍以上。【结论】Hcy性别差异明显,男性、高血压分组是35~59岁社区高血压人群HHcy的相关因素。     

血浆同型半胱氨酸、超敏C-反应蛋白、血脂与2型糖尿病发生冠心病的关系

目的探讨测定血浆同型半胱氨酸(Homocysteine,Hcy)、超敏C-反应蛋白(hs-CRP)、血脂水平与2型糖尿病(T2DM)发生冠心病的关系。方法将130例T2DM患者分为3组,A组为95例单纯T2DM患者,B组为35例T2DM合并冠心病患者,正常对照组为40例正常对照者;测定各组空腹Hcy、hs-CRP和血脂水平。结果与正常对照组相比,两组T2DM患者血脂水平(TC、TG、HDL-C、LDL-C)差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);B组Hcy为(17.78±3.25)μmol/L,与正常对照组(7.35±3.64)μmol/L及A组(12.13±5.12)μmol/L相比,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);B组血浆hs-CRP为(19.76±3.26)mg/L,与正常对照组(4.29±1.48)mg/L及A组(11.58±2.31)mg/L相比,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);Hcy和hs-CRP水平无相关性。结论 T2DM合并冠心病时,Hcy、hs-CRP水平显著升高,这可能是T2DM患者发生冠心病的重要危险因素。     

Association of B vitamins status and homocysteine levels in elderly Taiwanese

To investigate the relationship between homocysteine (Hcy) and B vitamins status in the Taiwanese elderly population, an analysis was made of the plasma Hcy levels in elderly persons. The study sample was taken from the Elderly Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan (1999-2000) (Elderly NAHSIT) and included 1094 males and 1135 females aged 65-90 years. The results showed that average plasma Hcy was 13.3+/-0.6 micromol/ L for males and 10.6+/-0.7 micromol/L for females. The average plasma Hcy levels of males from all age groups were significantly higher than those of females, and significantly increased with age (P<0.0001). The overall prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia (Hcy>15 micromol/L) was 23.4% for elderly males and 11.2% for elderly females, and this also increased with age (P<0.0001). In subjects with normal renal function, folate, vitamin B2, B6, and B12 status were significantly lower in males with hyperhomocysteinemia, while only folate and vitamin B12 were significantly lower in females with hyperhomocysteinemia. Further analysis suggested that folate, vitamin B6 or B12 insufficiency were associated with hyperhomocysteinemia in both sexes, while vitamin B2 insufficiency was significantly associated only in males. In elderly persons with adequate folate, vitamin B6, and B12 status, there was no significant association between vitamin B2 and hyperhomocysteinemia. This association occurred only in those who had concurrent poor folate, vitamin B6, or B12 status. The strength of the association between vitamin B12 insufficiency and hyperhomocysteinemia was not affected by simultaneous vitamin B2 or B6 insufficiency, but increased about 3-fold when combined with folate. This suggests that poor folate and vitamin B12 status has a synergistic effect on the risk of hyperhomocysteinema in the elderly, as did a poor folate and vitamin B6 status. Therefore, maintaining adequate vitamin B12 status and avoiding multiple B vitamin insufficiency, especially that of folate and vitamin B12 or B6, should be emphasized as an important measure for reducing plasma Hcy levels among elderly Taiwanese.     

Plasma total homocysteine,folate, and vitamin B12 status in Korean adults

Elevated plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) levels have been established as a risk factor for occlusive cardiovascular disease. Also known is that plasma folate and vitamin B12 influence homocysteine metabolism as cosubstrate and cofactor, respectively. However, not much information is available describing plasma tHcy levels and their relationship to plasma folate and vitamin B12 status in Koreans. We measured the plasma levels of tHcy, folate, and vitamin B12 in 195 adults (99 males, 96 females; 23-72 y old in the lower middle class). The mean plasma tHcy levels of males, 11.18 +/- 3.88 micromol/L, was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than that of females, 9.20 +/- 2.65 micromol/L. The distribution of tHcy levels of males showed a wide range, 3-50 micromol/L, with a long tail toward higher values. Thus the incidence of hyperhomocysteinemia (> or = 5 micromol/L) in males, 10.1%, was significantly higher (< 0.02) than the 2.1% in females. As age increased, plasma tHcy levels tended to be higher in females. Therefore, sex differences in plasma tHcy levels disappeared in subjects over fifty. On the other hand, both plasma folate (6.47 +/- 3.06 vs 7.96 +/- 3.55 ng/mL, p < 0.01) and vitamin B12 levels (537.0 +/- 222.0 vs. 664.1 +/- 309.8 ng/mL, p < 0.01) were significantly lower in males than in females. A plasma folate deficiency (< 3.0 ng/mL) was found in 6.1% of males and 2.1% of females. And a vitamin B12 deficiency (< 150 pg/mL) was detected in 2.0% and 1.0%, respectively. Plasma tHcy levels were related with inversely plasma concentrations of folate (r = -0.37249, p < 0.001) as well as vitamin B12 (r = -0.22560, p < 0.01) in both sexes. Plasma levels of tHcy and the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia in Korean adults are similar to findings in the West. Our results indicate that male adults may be in worse condition for cardiovascular disease (CVD) than females. And improving folate and vitamin B12 status may reduce plasma tHcy level, which may be more important in males.     

A study of plasma total homocysteine levels in healthy people

Elevated plasma levels of homocysteine have been identified as an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the reference limits of plasma total homocysteine for Bulgarian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated 153 healthy individuals without vitamin deficiency aged from 18 to 65 years. The reference group consisted of 74 males and 79 females with mean age respectively 37.80 +/- 1.36 and 39.32 +/- 1.33 years. Plasma total homocysteine was determined by high performance liquid-chromatography (HPLC) modified and validated in our laboratory. RESULTS: The reference intervals were 7.4-18.5 micromol/l for males and 5.5-14.5 micromol/ 1 for females. The mean levels of plasma homocysteine were significantly higher in males in comparison with females (11.86 +/- 0.33 micromol/l vs. 9.88 +/- 0.27 micromol/l; P < 0.001), without considerable correlation with age. Comparing the values of total homocysteine between the two groups of age - < or = 49 and > or = 50 years showed that the investigated individuals > or = 50 years had higher plasma concentration, and the difference was significant only for the group of females. Hyperhomocysteinemia according to ECAP cut-off value (> 12.1 micromol/l) was registered in 30.7% of healthy volunteers. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study demonstrated that homocysteine levels depend on sex and, to a lesser degree, on age. We have determined plasma total homocysteine reference intervals for the Bulgarian population. This will help the interpretation of the results and contribute to adequate and efficient prevention of blood vessel diseases.     

血浆同型半胱氨酸水平及亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶基因突变与脑卒中关系的病例对照研究

目的 探讨中国人脑卒中与血浆同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)水平及N~5N~(10)亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶(MTHFR)基因突变的关系。方法 收集脑卒中患者300例为病例组,选择300名性别、年龄和种族等与病例组相匹配的无脑卒中者作为对照组,采用高效液相色谱的方法检测两组的血浆Hcy水平,并通过聚合酶链反应和限制性酶切的方法对其MTHFR C677T基因型进行鉴定,统计分析血浆Hcy水平与脑卒中的关系,以及MTHFR C677T基因突变与脑卒中发生的关系及其对血浆Hcy水平的影响。结果 脑卒中组血浆Hcy水平显著高于对照组[(16`92±3.43)μmol/L vs.(14.57±2.59)μmol/L,P<0.05];MTHFR C677T基因突变率在脑卒中组与对照组之间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),在脑溢血和脑梗死组之间差异也无统计学意义(P>0.05);MTHFR C677T基因变异对血浆Hcy水平无明显影响[(15.28±2.17)μmol/L vs.(15.11±3.81)μmol/L,P>0.05]。结论 血浆Hcy水平升高在中国人脑卒中的发生中起着重要的作用,而Hcy代谢过程中的关键酶MTHFR基因的C677T突变与血浆Hcy水平无明显关系,而且与脑卒中的发生无相关性,因此控制血浆Hcy水平在预防心脑血管疾病的发生中有重要意义。     

Homocysteine and cognitive function in healthy elderly community dwellers in Italy

BACKGROUND: Elevated plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations are common in the elderly and have been suggested to be a risk factor for dementia. OBJECTIVE: In an elderly population, we examined the relation between plasma tHcy and scores on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), a commonly used screening measure of cognitive impairment in general practice. DESIGN: Fasting plasma tHcy concentrations were measured in 650 healthy, cognitively normal Italian community dwellers aged > or = 65 y (x +/- SD: 72.8 +/- 6.0 y). Socioeconomic status; serum folate, vitamin B-12, and creatinine; other potential dietary and lifestyle determinants of tHcy; and conventional vascular disease risk factors were also assessed. RESULTS: Subjects with MMSE scores of 26-28 had higher plasma tHcy concentrations (12.7 micromol/L; range: 12.2-13.2 micromol/L) than did those with scores > 28 (11.9 micromol/L; 11.4-12.3 micromol/L; P < 0.01). Subjects with scores of 24-25 had higher plasma tHcy concentrations (14.5 micro mol/L; 13.5-15.6 micromol/L) than did subjects with scores of 26-28 (P < 0.01) or > 28 (P < 0.001). The risk of hyperhomocysteinemia (plasma tHcy > 15 micromol/L) was higher in subjects with scores of 24-25 (odds ratio: 3.81; 95% CI: 1.9, 7.5) or 26-28 (odds ratio: 1.96; 95% CI: 1.3, 3.0) than in those with scores > 28. The results did not change after adjustment for conventional vascular risk factors and for age, medical, dietary, and lifestyle determinants of plasma tHcy. CONCLUSION: Elevated plasma tHcy has an independent, graded association with concurrent cognitive impairment as measured with the MMSE in healthy elderly community dwellers.     

Plasma homocysteine is associated with the risk of mild cognitive impairment in an elderly Korean population

Elderly individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are at high risk for developing dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. Previous studies have proposed that elevated plasma homocysteine might be a risk factor for dementia. However, the impact of plasma homocysteine on MCI remains controversial. We investigated the relation between hyperhomocysteinemia and the risk of MCI in an elderly Korean population. A total of 1215 elderly subjects (aged 60-85 y) were selected from the Ansan Geriatric study to participate in this study. MCI was diagnosed on the basis of the Mayo Clinic criteria. Mean plasma homocysteine concentrations were higher in elderly subjects with MCI than in normal elderly subjects (17.6 +/- 7.4 vs. 15.7 +/- 4.8 micromol/L; P < 0.001). Subjects with hyperhomocysteinemia (>15 micromol/L) also had a higher prevalence of MCI. The unadjusted OR for MCI was greater in subjects with hyperhomocysteinemia than in normal subjects and it increased according to the degree of hyperhomocysteinemia (OR = 1.39; 95% CI = 1.09-1.79 vs. OR = 2.61; 95% CI = 1.22-5.61). These trends did not differ after adjustment for age, sex, and other putative risk factors for cognitive dysfunction (OR = 1.40; 95% CI = 1.07-1.83 vs. OR = 2.40; 95% CI = 1.08-5.31). In conclusion, hyperhomocysteinemia may be an independent risk factor for MCI in elderly Koreans. A causal relationship between plasma homocysteine levels and cognitive impairment should be evaluated in a follow-up study of elderly Korean subjects.     

Homocysteine and risk of coronary artery disease: Folate is the important determinant of plasma homocysteine concentration

OBJECTIVES: The purposes of this study were to study the effects of folate and vitamins B6 and B12 on plasma homocysteine concentration and to estimate the risks for coronary artery disease (CAD) according to quartiles of plasma homocysteine concentration. METHODS: The study was designed as a case-reference observational study. Case subjects (CAD group, n = 60) were identified by cardiac catheterization to have at least 70% stenosis of one major coronary artery; otherwise, patients were considered for a reference group (n = 60). Risk factors of cardiovascular disease were recorded, including age, sex, blood lipid profile, hypertension, smoking habits, and drinking habits. Plasma homocysteine, folate, pyridoxal 5'-phosphate, and vitamin B12 were measured. RESULTS: CAD subjects had significantly higher mean plasma homocysteine concentrations than did the reference subjects (13.9 +/- 4.9 versus 9.1 +/- 3.3 micromol/L). There were no significant differences between groups with regard to the three B vitamins; however, mean serum folate concentrations for subjects in the highest two quartiles of plasma homocysteine concentration (10.8-13.8 and >/=13.9 micromol/L) were significantly lower than those for subjects in the lowest two quartiles (相似文献   

Folate and cobalamin deficiencies and hyperhomocysteinemia in Bangladesh

BACKGROUND: Indian Asian men residing in the United Kingdom have a higher prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia than do their European counterparts. This has been largely attributed to dietary deficiencies in cobalamin associated with vegetarianism among these Indian Asians. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to ascertain the prevalence of folate and cobalamin deficiencies and hyperhomocysteinemia in Bangladesh. DESIGN: Plasma concentrations of homocysteine, folate, and cobalamin and urinary concentrations of creatinine were assessed in 1650 adults in Bangladesh. RESULTS: The prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia (men: >11.4 micromol/L; women: >10.4 micromol/L) was markedly (P < 0.0001) greater among men (63%; x +/- SD: 15.3 +/- 9.5 micromol/L) than among women (26%; 9.5 +/- 4.7 micromol/L). Folate was lower (9.8 +/- 6.5 and 12.3 +/- 7.6 nmol/L, respectively), whereas cobalamin was higher (281 +/- 115 and 256 +/- 118 pmol/L, respectively) (P < 0.0001 for both) among men than among women. Folate explained 15% and cobalamin explained 5% of the variation in homocysteine concentrations. For men, folate (P = 0.005) and cobalamin (P = 0.03) were positively correlated with urinary creatinine. Smoking (P < 0.0003) and betelnut use (P < 0.0002) were independent negative predictors of folate. CONCLUSIONS: Bangladeshi men have a high prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia, which is more closely associated with folate than with cobalamin, although other factors, eg, smoking and betelnut use, may also contribute to its cause. The positive correlations between urinary creatinine and plasma folate and cobalamin were unanticipated and could suggest that, in marginal nutrition, these vitamins may be limiting for creatine biosynthesis.