Nigar Babayeva
Scentific-research Institute of Cardiology, Azerbaijan
Title: Homosysteine level and intima-media thickness of carotid arteries: is there any connection?
Biography
Biography: Nigar Babayeva
Abstract
Increase of homocysteine (HC) level in blood plasma ​​is one of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease development. Mechanisms of the HC pathogenic influence include oxidation stress, damage of NO production, changes in homeostasis, activation of inflammatory pathways and others. Hence, HC adversely affects the mechanism of vascular tone, lipid metabolism, and coagulation cascades. Homocysteine ​​also plays an important role in the early stages of atherogenesis: endothelial cells activity inhibition, pro-oxidant effects, mitogenic effects on muscle cells, stimulation of collagen synthesis by protein accumulation in atheroma. The main outcome of these processes is dysfunction of the endothelium and subsequent structural and geometric changes in the vascular wall, resulting in the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD).
The aim. The aim of this study was to investigate of common carotid arteries (CCA) using ultrasound examination in patients with high blood pressure and different HC levels.
Material and methods. 51 patients with arterial hypertension (AP) were included to the trial. They were examined for homocysteine levels in blood and divided into three groups: normal, mild and middle-class HC level groups. Ultrasound examination of CCA were fulfilled in all investigated patients.
Results. In 31 patients (60,8%) was normal HC level, in 13 patients (25,5%) mild homocysteinemia (HCE), in 7 patients moderate HCE. Intima-media thickness (IMT) in the right CCA was 1,06±0,05 in the group with normal HC ​​level; in mild HCE group IMT was 1.14±0.05; in group with moderate HCE IMT was 1.14±0.10 mm. The mean value of the IMT in the left CCA was 1.075±0.040 in the ​​group with normal HC level; 1.123±0.044 in mild HCE group; and 1,094±0,066 mm in the moderate HCE group. In all three groups, IMT both in right and left CCA was higher than normal meaning (0,9 mm), but in hyper-HCE groups (mild and modarate) IMT were higher than in the ​​group with normal HC level, however observed differences were not statistically significant (for right CCA: F = 0,627; p = 0,539; for left CCA: F = 0,266; p = 0,767). Increase of IMT was identified in 41 (80,4%) of 51 investigated patients. In 31 patients with normal level of HC IMT indices were high in 11 (74.2%), in 13 patients with mild HCE IMT were increased in 11 (84.6%) patients and in 7 patients with moderate HCE in all 7 (100%) patients IMT were increased. The difference observed between groups was not statistically significant (χ2 = 2,610; p = 0,271). Poor positive correlation was found between HC ​​level and right IMT indices (r = 0,346; p = 0,013).
Conclusion. The obtained results demonstrate the partly role of high HC ​​ blood plasma level in the increase of CCA IMT. Thus, high concentration of plasma HC can​ participate in the acceleration of atherosclerotic process in the arterial walls and lead to increase of IMT.