Study of the relationship between homocysteine and carotid atherosclosis

Objective To study the relationship between homocysteine (Hcy) and carotid atherosclosis. Methods The plasma Hcy was measured by high - performance liquid chromatography in 208 patients with cerebral infarction and 50 healthy controls, and carotid was assessed using doppler ultrasongraphy in patients with cerebral infarction. Results Of the 208 patients with cerebral infarction,94 patients had hyperhomocysteinemia (45.2% ) , the average concentration of plasma Hcy was 19.6±8.2 umol/L, it was significantly higher than those of healthy controls( 10.1±3.1 umol/L ,(P0.01).Of 94 patients with hyperhomocysteinemia, 85 patients had carotid atherosclosis, 14 patients had mild carotid atherosclosis, 46 patients had moderated carotid atherosclosis,25 patients had severe carotid atherosclosis, 16 patients had mild carotid stenosis,46 patients had moderated carotid stenosis,23 patients had severe carotid stenosis.Of 114 patients with normal homocysteine,89 patients had carotid atherosclosis,42 patients had mild carotid atherosclosis,32 patients had moderated carotid atherosclosis, 15 patients had severe carotid atherosclosis,47 patients had mild carotid stenosis,31 patients had moderated carotid stenosis, 11 patients had severe carotid stenosis. Conclusion Hey may play a role in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke.Hyperhomocysteinemia could cause carotid atherosclosis,and moderated or severe carotid stenosis is common.