Homocysteine, vitamin B₁₂ and folic acid levels in metabolic syndrome

Abstract

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MeS) is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, chronic lung disease, fatty liver disease and kidney disease. Elevated serum homocysteine level is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and lung disease. Vitamin B₁₂ and folic acid deficiency causes hyperhomocysteinemia.

Objective: To measure serum homocysteine, vitamin B₁₂ and folic acid levels in metabolic syndrome.

Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in the Department of Physiology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Shahbagh, Dhaka from March 2019 to February 2020. Total 30 female metabolic syndrome patients aged 25 to 45 years and 30 age and sex matched apparently healthy female subjects were enrolled for this study. The patients were selected from the outpatient department of Endocrinology of BSMMU. Fasting plasma glucose, lipid profile, serum creatinine, serum alanine aminotransferase levels were measured by autoanalyzer and serum homocysteine, vitamin B₁₂ and folic acid levels were measured by Chemiluminescent immunoassay. For statistical analysis, independent sample ‘t’test was done.

Results: In this study, the mean value of serum homocysteine level was significantly higher in MetS than those of control group (p value <0.05). In addition, 16.67% MetS patients had hyperhomocysteinemia. Conclusion: From this study, it may be concluded that elevated homocysteine is associated with MetS.

J Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2020, June; 15(1): 1-5