HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (2) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Akalin, A. Articles by Colak, O. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Akalin, A. Articles by Colak, O.

Relation of plasma homocysteine levels to atherosclerotic vascular disease and inflammation markers in type 2 diabetic patients

Department of Endocrinology, Faculty of Medicine, 26480 Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Turkey and ¹ Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, 26480 Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Turkey

(Correspondence should be addressed to A Akalin; Email: aakalin{at}superonline.com)

Objective: Both hyperhomocysteinemia and increased inflammatory activity are shown to be associated with atherosclerosis. The relation of inflammatory activity to homocysteine (Hcy) levels is not well established. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the relation of plasma Hcy levels to atherosclerotic vascular disease and inflammatory activity in type 2 diabetic patients.

Design and methods: In total 90 type 2 diabetic patients were included in the study. Of these patients, 41 had established atherosclerotic vascular disease and 49 had no evidence of atherosclerotic vascular disease. Hcy levels and markers of inflammation, namely C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF), were measured. Glucose regulation, C-peptide, lipid parameters, and renal functions were also studied.

Results: Both Hcy levels and inflammation markers were all significantly elevated in patients with atherosclerotic vascular disease when compared with patients without vascular disease. Reduced renal functions were responsible for the majority of Hcy elevation in patients with vascular disease. Also, renal functions were significantly associated with both Hcy levels and inflammatory markers. There was no correlation between Hcy levels and inflammation markers except for TNF.

Conclusions: Inflammatory activity and Hcy levels are increased in type 2 diabetic patients with atherosclerotic vascular disease. Impairment of renal functions is the key factor that affects both Hcy levels and inflammation markers. Inflammation is not involved in the process by which Hcy leads atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes.