CzMA JEP Home page CZECH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION J. Ev. PURKYNĚ
Journals - Article
CzMA JEP Home page News About Assocation Publishing Division Medical Journals Searching Supplements Catalogue
 
  Česky / Czech version Čas. Lék. čes., 138, 1999, No. 17, P. 525 - 527.
 
Gender Differences in Serum Homocysteine Levels and Associated Variables 
Mayer O. jr., Šimon J., Rosolová H. 

 


Abstract:

       Background. Homocysteine (Hcy) is an important independent risk factor for vascular diseases. It s level is determined by genetic polymorphism of several enzymes in association with nutritional factors. Higher Hcy levels were found in men than in women, however the clinical significance of this phenomenon remains to be elucidated. The aim of this study was to analyze the gender differences in Hcy levels in relation to associated factors and to assess in which range of Hcy these differences are mainly expressed. Methods and Results. The series comprised of 257 males and 239 females, mean age 52.9 and 52.3 years, resp., selected from the population study Pils II. All subjects were examined by a standard protocol, to assess clinical, anthropometrical and laboratory variables. Hcy and methionine levels were estimated by ion exchange chromatog- raphy, other laboratories using standard kits. The methods were validated by a reference laboratory. Statistical analyses were done by Wilcoxon’s unpaired test and multiple linear regression. We found in males significantly higher Hcy levels (13.1 vs. 11.5 mmol/l, p < 0.0001) than in females. This difference persisted only in the range of normal Hcy levels (11.1, 10.2 mmol/l, p < 0.0001), i.e. up to 15 mmol/l (1st - 4th quintile of the Hcy distribution) and not in the top quintile, considered as mild hyperhomocysteinaemia. We found in males, with normal Hcy levels, significantly higher serum methionine (23.8 vs. 22.4 mmol/l, p < 0.0001), creatinine (91.5 vs 80.9 mmol/l, p < 0.0001) and a lower methionine/creatinine ratio (0.25 vs. 0.27, p < 0.01). Plasma folates and B12 vitamin in males were also lower than in females, however these differences were only of a borderline statistical significance. On the other hand, in subjects with MHHcy (5th quintile) no gender differences were observed, except in creatinine. Conclusions. Higher Hcy levels in males cannot be explained by differences in folate and B12 levels only. We considered also other factors, namely higher demethylation of methionine associated with higher creatinine production in males, which may be influenced by sex hormons.

        Key words: homocysteine, gender differences, methionine, folic acid, B12, creatinine.
       

Order this issue

  BACK TO CONTENTS  
 
 
| HOME PAGE | CODE PAGE | CZECH VERSION |
©  1998 - 2008 CZECH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION J. E. PURKYNĚ
Created by: NT Servis, s.r.o., hosted by P.E.S. consulting, s.r.o.
WEBMASTER