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The relationship between the levels of plasma total homocysteine and insulin resistance in uncomplicated mild-to-moderate primary hypertension

Journal of Human Hypertension volume 20, pages 379–381 (2006)Cite this article

Primary hypertension (HT) is the most frequent independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. It was demonstrated that plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) is an important and modifiable cardiovascular risk factor, which correlates with the severity of atherosclerotic disease,1 despite some discordant results.2 Although data supporting the cause–effect relationship between HT and tHcy are limited, tHcy may play a role in the pathogenesis of HT. The mechanism of this relationship has not been elucidated yet. Plausible pathophysiological mechanisms such as impairment of vascular endothelial function, diminished nitric oxide bioavailability, increased oxidative stress, smooth muscle cell dysfunction and increased arterial stiffness are considered to link tHcy with HT.3 On the other hand, it could be postulated that hyperhomocysteinemia and HT may be coincidentally integral components of insulin resistance syndrome (IRS).4 Moreover, the long-term effects of HT on the renal vascular structures may lead to hyperhomocysteinemia due to decreasing homocysteine clearance.

One hundred and fourteen untreated and uncomplicated patients with mild to moderate HT, defined by multiple blood pressure (BP) readings of ⩾140/90 mm Hg (65 males, mean age 43±8 years), and age- and sex-matched 85 healthy subjects (47 males, mean age 41±8 years) were enrolled. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Trakya University, Medical Faculty. All subjects gave a written informed consent prior to enrollment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nephrology, Trakya University School of Medicine, Edirne, Turkey

    S Ustundag & S Sen

  2. Department of Endocrinology, Trakya University School of Medicine, Edirne, Turkey

    E Arikan

  3. Department of Ophthalmology, Trakya University School of Medicine, Edirne, Turkey

    H Esgin

  4. Deparment of Nuclear Medicine, Trakya University School of Medicine, Edirne, Turkey

    S Ciftci

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  1. S Ustundag
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  2. E Arikan
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Correspondence to S Ustundag.

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Ustundag, S., Arikan, E., Sen, S. et al. The relationship between the levels of plasma total homocysteine and insulin resistance in uncomplicated mild-to-moderate primary hypertension. J Hum Hypertens 20, 379–381 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jhh.1001986

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