Raised serum homocysteine levels in patients of coronary artery disease and the effect of Vitamin B12 and folate on its concentration

Abstract

Homocysteine(Hcy) has been implicated as a novel risk factor of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) among Asian Indians, but many studies done in India failed to reveal any direct correlation. It has also been reported that Folic acid and Vitamin B12 levels inversely affect serum levels of homocysteine. In this study, we looked at the levels of homocysteine among patients with CAD. The effect of Vitamin B12, Folate and other risk factors on homocysteine levels were also evaluated. Mean homocysteine levels in cases (22.81 ± 13.9, n=70) were significantly higher (p=< 0.001) than the controls (7.77 ± 7.3, n=70). However no statistically significant correlation could be deduced between homocysteine, Vitamin B12, and Folate. Cumulative analysis have indicated an increase in homocysteine levels among patients with CAD with every additional risk factor.