Open AccessEffect of Simvastatin on Plasma Homocysteine Levels and Its Modification by MTHFR C677T Polymorphism in Chinese Patients with Primary Hyperlipidemia
Author(s) -
Jiang Shanqun,
Chen Qianru,
Venners Scott A.,
Zhong Guisheng,
Hsu YiHsiang,
Xing Houxun,
Wang Xiaobin,
Xu Xiping
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
cardiovascular therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.818
H-Index - 46
eISSN - 1755-5922
pISSN - 1755-5914
DOI - 10.1111/1755-5922.12002
Subject(s) - simvastatin , methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase , medicine , homocysteine , hyperlipidemia , endocrinology , body mass index , hyperhomocysteinemia , creatinine , genotype , biochemistry , biology , diabetes mellitus , gene
Summary Objective We investigate the effect of simvastatin on plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels and whether genetic factor affects the effect of simvastatin. Methods A total of 338 patients with hyperlipidemia were enrolled. Simvastatin was orally administered at a dose of 20 mg/day for 8 weeks. Plasma Hcy levels were measured by high‐performance liquid chromatography at baseline and after 8 weeks of treatment. Genotyping of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase ( MTHFR ) C677T polymorphism was performed by TaqMan probe technique. Results Serum total Hcy levels were positively correlated with serum creatinine ( r = 0.332, P < 0.001). Among total subjects, simvastatin treatment resulted in a significant reduction in serum Hcy levels after 8 weeks (−0.37 ± 2.21 μmol/L, P = 0.003), and this effect was dependent on the initial levels of serum Hcy. The individuals with 677 TT genotype had a significantly higher baseline Hcy level and a greater change in Hcy levels. After stratification by body mass index ( BMI ), we observed a significant increase in Hcy levels among the TT genotype group in adjusted model (beta± SE : 2.64 ± 0.84 μmol/L; P = 0.002) among patients with BMI ≥ 25 (kg/m 2 ). Conclusions Simvastatin can cause a marked decrease in plasma Hcy levels. MTHFR C677T genetic variant contributes to simvastatin's effects among Chinese subjects with primary hyperlipidemia.