A study of homocysteine levels in a population of West Virginia cardiology patients.

Homocysteine (Hcy) is a sulfur-containing non-essential amino acid that is not found in the diet. It has been known for a number of years that hyperhomocystinemia is correlated with, among other conditions, an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Since West Virginia has one of the highest rates of CVD in the US, the aim of this study was to determine if this increased rate of CVD is associated with elevated Hcy levels. Fasting plasma Hcy levels and serum vitamins B12 and folate levels from 110 current patients in the Cardiovascular Services Department were analyzed in accordance with established protocols. (Vitamins B12 and folate are critical coenzymes in the Hcy remethylation pathway.) Hcy levels were measured using automated FPIA immunoassay technology on an Abbott Diagnostics IMx immunoanalyzer. Vitamin levels were measured using Beckman-Coulter's Access chemiluminescent immunoanalyzer. Statistical evaluation was performed in order to determine significant correlations between Hcy and clinical factors such as BMI, age, and gender. Positive correlations were noted between Hcy and age and Hcy and serum folate. Due to the multifactorial nature of the development of CVD, a number of factors may contribute to the observed results, including patient nutritional status, use of prescribed drugs, or diabetic status. Further studies must be conducted to elucidate the causes of CVD in order to optimize patient care in the West Virginia population.

Andrew T. Watson, Jean M. Chappell, James Crager, James Denvir, David Horst, Paulette Wehner, Gary Wright, and Todd L. Green. Departments of Physiology and Cardiovascular Services, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Huntington, WV. Department of Mathematics, Marshall University, Huntington, WV. Abbott Diagnostics, Abbott Park, IL.