[The relationship between carotid artery atherosclerosis and hyperhomocysteinaemia].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the relationship between the carotid artery atherosclerosis (CAA) and the level of homocysteine (Hcy) as well as folate, vitamin B(12) and lipids.


METHODS
The diameter of common carotid arteries and internal carotid arteries on both sides were measured by B-mode ultrasound in 126 subjects who were divided into normal and A, B, C, D groups according to the severity of stenosis of CAA. With fasting serum, Hcy as well as folate, vitamin B(12), triglycerides, total cholesterols (TC), low density lipid (LDL), high density lipid (HDL) were detected.


RESULTS
When stenosis of CAA became severer, serum Hcy was higher. The levels of the normal and A, B, C, D groups were (13.22 +/- 6.15, 16.29 +/- 9.81, 19.49 +/- 11.16, 27.21 +/- 17.47, 24.14 +/- 8.64) micromol/L, respectively. Rank test showed a significant difference between the normal and other groups (P < 0.01). Folic acid and VitB(12) were negatively correlated with the Hcy concentrations. Spearman correlation coefficient were -0.23 and -0.42 (P = 0.000). According to the severity of stenosis of CAA, Hcy, age, weight, blood pressure, level of glucose, triglyceride, TC, LDL, high density lipid (HDL) and history of hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and stroke were brought into logistic analysis; the result showed that Hcy, TC, HDL had significant negative correlation with the severity of CAA, Spearman correlation coefficient were 0.56, 0.25 and 0.22 (P = 0.003, 0.02, 0.04).


CONCLUSIONS
Hyperhomocysteinaemia is an independent risk factor of CAA and the severity of stenosis of CAA is highly correlated with Hcy concentration. The causes of hyperhomocysteinaemia may be the results of decrease of folate and VitB(12) levels. Clinical trials are now required to evaluate the effect of treatment with these vitamins in the primary and secondary prevention of vascular diseases.
Wang
Hong-li
HL
Department of Neurology, the Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100083, China.
Fan
Dong-sheng
DS
Shen
Yang
Y
Sun
A-ping
AP
Zhang
Jie
J
Yang
Yu-jie
YJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D020138:Hyperhomocysteinemia / Q000150:complications*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood
D008055:Lipids; D006710:Homocysteine; D005492:Folic Acid; D014805:Vitamin B 12