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Endothelial Function in Healthy Younger and Older Hyperhomocysteinemic Subjects
Author(s) -
Hirsch Sandra,
De La Maza Pía,
Mendoza Laura,
Petermann Margarita,
Glasinovic Andrea,
Paulinelli Paola,
Barrera Gladys,
Rosenberg Irwin H.,
Bunout Daniel
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1046/j.1532-5415.2002.50255.x
Subject(s) - medicine , homocysteine , vitamin b12 , hyperhomocysteinemia , endocrinology , endothelium , endothelial dysfunction , renal function , prospective cohort study , vascular disease , physiology
OBJECTIVES: To compare endothelium‐dependent vasomotor response in healthy younger and older subjects without classic cardiovascular risk factors, with high and normal fasting homocysteine (tHcy) levels. DESIGN: We compared endothelium‐dependent vasodilatation, using ultrasound, in healthy younger (aged 18–40) and older (≥70) people with normal (<13 μmol/L) and high (>15 μmol/L) tHcy levels. Exclusion criteria were smoking, personal history of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, chronic diseases, vitamin intake, obesity, abnormal serum lipids levels, and creatinine higher than 130 μmol/L. SETTING: Research laboratory. MEASUREMENTS: In addition to tHcy levels, serum folate and vitamin B 12 levels were measured. RESULTS: We studied 17 younger and 12 older hyperhomocysteinemic subjects and respective aged‐matched normohocysteinemic subjects. Endothelium‐dependent vasodilatation was lower in the hyperhomocysteinemic older people ( P < .01) than in all younger subjects and in normohomocysteinemic older people. Serum vitamin B 12 levels were higher in younger and older normal controls. Folic acid levels were higher in younger controls and in both older groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows an effect of high circulating tHcy on vascular reactivity in older people. Because serum levels of tHcy are associated with nutritional status of vitamin B 12 and folic acid, prospective studies are necessary to demonstrate the effects of a long‐term nutritional supplementation with vitamins on vascular function and global cardiovascular risk.