Evaluation of correaltion between plasma homocysteine and oxidized low-density lipoprotein in patients with coronary artery disease

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD), especially coronary heart diseases (CHD) are major causes of death in developed countries. Studies have been shown that total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) has been associated with an increased risk of CHD, probably a causal type. A lower tHcy concentration will reduce the frequency of CHD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between tHcy and CHD and its relationship with other CVD risk factors such as oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL). A total number of 260 patients with coronary angiography indication were included in this case control study. The study group consisted of 130 patients with at least one vessel stenosis greater than 50% and the control group consisted of 130 normal angiogram without stenosis. Total Hcy, cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein (HDL) and its sub fractions, low density lipoprotein (LDL) and ox-LDL were measured in two groups. Data were analyzed by SPSS using relevant statistical tests at the significant level of P<0.05. The mean serum tHcy level in CVD patients (19.25±8.20 µmol/L) was significantly higher (P<0.001) than the control group (14.8±4.17 µmol/L). Moreover, among patients with CVD, a positive significant correlation between tHcy and ox-LDL level in plasma, was found (r=0.426, P<0.001). Despite reduced HDL2 concentration in patients with CVD than the control group; no significant correlation between high tHcy and low HDL2 was achieved in this study. Beside other known effects, homocysteine may also act as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases by increasing plasma ox-LDL concentration.