Serum level of Homocysteine, folic acid and vitamin B12 in hemodialysis patients referring to hemodialysis unit of Jahrom hospital

Authors
Reza Sootodeh
Mohammad Sojahei
10.29252/jmj.9.1.28
Abstract
Homocysteine is an amino acid yielded from methionin to cysteine metabolism. Increase in the normal levels of homocysteine can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Several factors such as uremia, genetic factors, dialysis related factors and vitamin B group deficiency lead to increase in the plasma level of homocysteine in dialysis patients. This study was done to evaluate Plasma vitamin B12, Folic acid and homocysteine levels in Jahrom hemodialysis patients. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on a total of 43 patients, who were on hemodialysis and 43 age and sex matched healthy individuals without any underlying renal disease as a control group during Dec 2008- Sep 2009. The serum level of homocysteine was measured by an ELISA method and the serum levels of vitamin B12 and Folic acid were measured by an RIA method. Results: There were significant differences between mean serum levels of homocysteine 22.709±5.765 µmol/L vs. 16.518±5.425 µmol/L, vitamin B12 513.814±15.378 ng/ml vs. 22.976±7.462 ng/ml and Folic acid 5366.814±1734.752 pg/ml vs. 868.907±251.484 pg/ml in the patients and control groups (P<0.001). A significant positive correlation was found between mean serum levels of homocysteine and duration of hemodialysis therapy (r=0.893, P<0.001). Conclusion: Although homocysteine level in our patients was more than that of the healthy subjects, it was lower than that of hemodialysis patients in other countries. This difference may be related to some factors such as genetics, administration of daily oral folic acid, and intravenous injection of B12 and B Complex vitamins after each dialysis session.
Keywords
Hemodialysis
Homocysteine
Folic acid
Vitamin B12
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