Correlation between low folate levels and hyperhomocysteinemia, but not with vitamin B12 in hypertensive patients.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Hypertension is considered to be among the most important risk factors for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. In recent years, several investigators have reported that high plasma levels of total homocysteine (t-hcy) has a key role in the development of hypertension, and the deficiency of B complex vitamins could increase the risk of hypertension. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between plasma homocysteine, folate and vitamin B12 in hypertensive patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 116 patients with hypertension and 81 healthy subjects, total plasma homocysteine, vitamin B12 and folate levels were measured. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Homocysteine was significantly higher in patients than in control subjects (22.9±3.5 versus 9.0±2.3 µmol/L respectively, p<0.001); the folate plasma concentrations in hypertensive patients were significantly lower than in control subjects (6.7±5.0 ng/ml and 9.0±4.4 ng/ml respectively, p<0.05). Moreover, no differences in vitamin B12 plasma levels were observed when comparing the levels of hypertensive patients and those of the controls (440±223 pg/ml vs 491±185 pg/ml respectively, p>0.05). Our results confirmed that, as previously observed, elevated t-hcy levels and low folate levels, but not vitamin B12 levels, are significantly associated with hypertension.