Plasma homocysteine and lipoprotein (a) levels in Turkish patients with metabolic syndrome

High serum total homocysteine (tHcy) and lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] levels are independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease. In this study, we examined the relationship of tHcy and Lp(a) levels with the components of metabolic syndrome. Fifty-one patients diagnosed with metabolic syndrome (median age: 38 [range 25-48] years) and 50 healthy subjects (median age: 35 [26-48] years) were included in the study. We used the National Cholesterol Education Program criteria to define metabolic syndrome. Total tHcy concentrations were measured by using an IMX (Abbott Diagnostics, Abbott Park, IL, USA). Lipoprotein (a) was measured by immunonephelometry using Behring nephrometer method (Behring BN 100, Behring, Germany). Total homocysteine and Lp(a) levels were found to be higher in the metabolic syndrome group than in the control group (tHcy: 24.2 vs 13.4 micromol/l, P < 0.01 and Lp(a): 34.9 vs 15.8 mg/dl, P < 0.01). Vitamin B12 levels were lower in the metabolic syndrome group than in the control group (214 pg/ml vs 247 pg/ml, P < 0.01). In partial correlation, tHcy and Lp(a) concentrations were unrelated to metabolic syndrome or to the components of metabolic syndrome, including fasting serum triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, fasting glucose, blood pressure, or body mass index. tHcy levels were strongly related only to the vitamin B12 concentration. The risk of cardiovascular disease is higher in patients with metabolic syndrome compared with the normal population. High tHcy and Lp(a) levels should be evaluated in this group of patients in addition to the evaluation of the parameters of metabolic syndrome.