Abstract
BackgroundElevated plasma total homocysteine is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and a sensitive marker of the inadequate vitamin B12 and folate insufficiency. Folate and vitamin B12 have a protective effect on cardiovascular disease. This population based study was conducted to evaluate the plasma total homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B12 in healthy Iranian individuals.MethodsThis study was a part of the Cardiovascular Risk Factors Survey in the Population Lab Region of Tehran University has been designed and conducted based on the methodology of MONICA/WHO Project. A total of 1214 people aged 25–64 years, were recruited and assessed regarding demographic characteristics, homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B12 levels with interview, questionnaires, examination and blood sampling. Blood samples were gathered and analyzed according to standard methods.ResultsThe variables were assessed in 1214 participants including 428 men (35.3%) and 786 women (64.7%). Age-adjusted prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia (Hcy≥15 μmol/L) was 73.1% in men and 41.07% in women (P < 0.0001). Geometric mean of plasma homocysteine was 19.02 ± 1.46 μmol/l in men and 14.05 ± 1.45 μmol/l in women (P < 0.004) which increased by ageing. Age-adjusted prevalence of low serum folate level was 98.67% in men and 97.92% in women. Age-adjusted prevalence of low serum vitamin B12 level was 26.32% in men and 27.2% in women. Correlation coefficients (Pearson's r) between log tHcy and serum folate, and vitamin B12 indicated an inverse correlation (r = -0.27, r = -0.19, P < 0.0001, respectively).ConclusionThese results revealed that the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia, low folate and vitamin B12 levels are considerably higher than other communities. Implementation of preventive interventions such as food fortification with folic acid is necessary.
Highlights
Elevated plasma total homocysteine is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and a sensitive marker of the inadequate vitamin B12 and folate insufficiency
This study describes the distributions of total homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B12 concentrations altogether in a sample of healthy Iranians
Hyperhomocysteinemia was detected in 313 males and 330 females which was significantly higher in men than women (P < 0.0001)
Summary
Elevated plasma total homocysteine is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and a sensitive marker of the inadequate vitamin B12 and folate insufficiency. Folate and vitamin B12 have a protective effect on cardiovascular disease This population based study was conducted to evaluate the plasma total homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B12 in healthy Iranian individuals. Elevated plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) has been linked both to the inadequate status of vitamin cofactors (i.e. folate, vitamin B12 and B6) and to genetic defects in enzymes involved in homocysteine metabolism [3]. The increase in homocysteine level occurs long before classic deficiency of folate and vitamin B12 become evident [7] Inadequate levels of these vitamins have important health consequences that may be independent of their role in homocysteine metabolism [8]. In the absence of a definition based on increased risk for an adverse health outcome, such as vascular disease, upper reference limits from samples of healthy persons without established risk
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