The Efficacy of Metabolic Correction of Hyperhomocysteinemia in Hypertension

Homocysteine is considered as an independent ranked risk factor of cardiovascular complications. The objective of the study is to optimize therapy of hypertensive patients by additional oral administration of vitamin B complex and 1 mg of folic acid. Material and Methods. The study included 80 patients suffered from essential hypertension stage I–III, aged 58.29 ± 0.84 years. Patients were randomized to clinical groups. Patients of group A (n = 34) received treatment on the background of administration of angiotensin II receptor blocker and diuretic when necessary. Patients of group B (n = 46) on the background of basic therapy were additionally administered homocysteine-lowering combination. Follow-up was three months. The control group consisted of 34 apparently healthy individuals. The level of total homocysteine was determined by immunoenzyme technique using Homocysteine EIA kit before and after treatment. Results. The level of homocysteine in group A did not change significantly (14.60 ± 1.09 mmol/l vs 13.60 ± 0.89 mmol/l; p > 0.05) and was higher than in the control group (9.20 ± 0.56 mmol/l). In the group B it was observed homocysteine lowering by 22.7 % (p < 0.0001). Conclusions. In hypertensive patients we observed homocysteine elevation compared to apparently healthy individuals (p < 0.0001). Antihypertensive therapy does not affect the homocysteine concentration. Addition to antihypertensive therapy of vitamin complex and 1 mg of folic acid promotes significant reduction of homocysteine level in comparison with baseline (p < 0.0001).