Plasma homocysteine level and carotid intima-media thickness in type 2 diabetic patients

Abstract

Background: The morbidity of atherosclerosis in diabetic patients is two to three times higher than in the normal population. In recent years, plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels, a sulfur containing non-protein amino acid in the metabolism of methionine, have been reported to be associated with vascular complications of diabetes. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the plasma total homocysteine (t Hcy) level and carotid intima–media thickness (CIMT) in normoalbuminuric and microalbuminuric type 2 diabetic patients. Materials and Methods: Fifty type 2 diabetic patients with more than 5 year diabetic duration in the age group of 35–60 years were selected for this study. Twenty-five age-matched healthy individuals were selected as a control group. Plasma total homocysteine was assayed by ELISA and carotid intima–media thickness was assessed by B-mode ultrasonography. Results: The plasma t Hcy level was significantly elevated in type 2 DM patients and there was also significant difference between microalbuminuric and normoalbuminuric type 2 DM patients. There was a significant positive correlation between t Hcy, CIMT, and HOMA-IR. Conclusion: Significant elevation of homocysteine was observed in diabetic patients. Hence, assessment of plasma homocysteine level and CIMT could be useful to assess the atherosclerotic changes in T2 DM patients, and it could help in the prevention of cardiovascular complications.