Elevated levels of plasma homocysteine in hypertensive patients with diabetes mellitus.
BACKGROUND
Homocysteine generates oxygen radicals (superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide) that are known to produce vasoconstriction. Hypertension is a common problem in individuals with diabetes mellitus. It is possible that hypertension in diabetic patients may be due to increased levels of plasma homocysteine. We investigated the plasma levels of homocysteine, factors involved in homocysteine metabolism (serum folic acid and vitamin B12) and lipid peroxidation product in the serum of diabetic patients with hypertension.


RESULTS
The studies were conducted in three groups: 1) healthy controls, and diabetic patients who were 2) normotensive and 3) hypertensive. Plasma homocysteine, serum malondialdehyde (a lipid peroxidation product), vitamin B12, and folic acid were measured in these patients. Plasma homocysteine and serum malondialdehyde levels were elevated in diabetic patients compared to the control group. Plasma levels of homocysteine and serum levels of malondialdehyde were higher in the hypertensive diabetic patients than in those who were normotensive. Levels of serum folate were lower in hypertensive diabetic patients compared to the normotensive group. Levels of serum vitamin B12 were similar in both the normotensive and hypertensive diabetic patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Levels of plasma homocysteine and serum malondialdehyde are elevated in hypertensive diabetic patients. Hyperhomocysteinemia may be involved in the induction and sustaining of hypertension in diabetic patients.
Qureshi
Mabood
M
Department of Pathology, Royal University Hospital, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.
Khsandwala
Hasnain
H
Haq
Inam Ul
IU
Prasad
Kailash
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood*; D003971:Diastole / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood*; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D013599:Systole / Q000502:physiology; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood
D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D006710:Homocysteine; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D005492:Folic Acid; D014805:Vitamin B 12