Hyperhomocysteinaemia in chronic liver diseases: role of disease stage, vitamin status and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase genetics

: Background/Aims: The liver plays a key role in sulphur aminoacid metabolism hence, homocysteine metabolism may be impaired in chronic liver diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate, in patients affected by chronic liver diseases, (1) the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinaemia and (2) the role of its determinants such as the stage and the aetiology of disease, vitamin status, genetic documented alterations (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase deficiency) and presence/absence of documented malignant evolution (hepatocellular carcinoma). Material and Methods: One hundred and thirty patients with chronic liver disease (34 with chronic active hepatitis, 12 with fatty liver and 88 with liver cirrhosis) and 50 healthy age‐matched control subjects were included into the study. Results: Hyperhomocysteinaemia was defined as homocysteine plasma levels greater than 12.6 μmol/l. Hyperhomocysteinaemia prevalence in liver cirrhosis group was 40.9%, significantly higher (all P