Determinants of Plasma Homocysteine Levels and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Japanese

Although hyperhomocysteinemia is considered to be a key risk factor for atherosclerosis, especially in Western countries, its role in the Asian population is still controversial. In this study, we evaluated the determinants of homocysteine and carotid intima-media thickness, a clinical marker for the detection of atherosclerosis, in Japanese. In 289 Japanese adults (age 37-86 yrs), we screened plasma total homocysteine by high performance liquid chromatography and evaluated maximum carotid intima-media thickness by ultrasound. Other blood chemistry values were also measured. Total homocysteine levels were higher in men than in women and increased with age. In multiple regression analysis, adjusted for age and sex, serum creatinine was a powerful determinant of homocysteine (β=3.3, p＜0.01). Maximum carotid intima-media thickness was higher in men than in women and increased with age. When adjusted for age and sex, systolic blood pressure was independently correlated with maximum carotid intima-media thickness (β=0.001, p＜0.01). Our current results support previous findings that in addition to age and sex, serum creatinine and systolic blood pressure are independent determinants of homocysteine and carotid intima-media thickness, respectively.