Brief Article
Copyright ©2010 Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. May 21, 2010; 16(19): 2411-2416
Published online May 21, 2010. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v16.i19.2411
Increased levels of homocysteine in patients with ulcerative colitis
Sabiye Akbulut, Emin Altiparmak, Firdevs Topal, Ersan Ozaslan, Metin Kucukazman, Ozlem Yonem
Sabiye Akbulut, Department of Gastroenterology, Kartal Kosuyolu High Specialty Education and Research Hospital, 34846 Istanbul, Turkey
Emin Altiparmak, Ersan Ozaslan, Department of Gastroenterology, Ankara Numune Training and Education Hospital, 06443 Ankara, Turkey
Firdevs Topal, Department of Gastroenterology, Çankiri State Hospital, 18200 Cankiri, Turkey
Metin Kucukazman, Department of Gastroenterology, Kecioren Teaching and Research Hospital, 06380 Ankara, Turkey
Ozlem Yonem, Department of Gastroenterology, Cumhuriyet University, Cumhuriyet Universitesi Hastanesi, 58140 Sivas, Turkey
Author contributions: Akbulut S and Altiparmak E designed the research; Akbulut S, Topal F and Kucukazman M performed the research; Ozaslan E analyzed the data; Akbulut S and Yonem O wrote the paper.
Correspondence to: Dr. Ozlem Yonem, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Department of Gastroenterology, Cumhuriyet University, Cumhuriyet Universitesi Hastanesi, 58140 Sivas, Turkey. ozlemyonem@gmail.com
Telephone: +90-346-2580999 Fax: +90-346-2581305
Received: January 22, 2010
Revised: March 14, 2010
Accepted: March 21, 2010
Published online: May 21, 2010
Abstract

AIM: To investigate serum levels of homocysteine (Hcys) and the risk that altered levels carry for thrombosis development in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients.

METHODS: 55 UC patients and 45 healthy adults were included. Hcys, vitamin B12 and folic acid levels were measured in both groups. Clinical history and thromboembolic events were investigated.

RESULTS: The average Hcys level in the UC patients was 13.3 ± 1.93 μmmol/L (range 4.60-87) and was higher than the average Hcys level of the control group which was 11.2 ± 3.58 μmmol/L (range 4.00-20.8) (P < 0.001). Vitamin B12 and folic acid average values were also lower in the UC group (P < 0.001). When multivariate regression analysis was performed, it was seen that folic acid deficiency was the only risk factor for hyperhomocysteinemia. Frequencies of thromboembolic complications were not statistically significantly different in UC and control groups. When those with and without a thrombosis history in the UC group were compared according to Hcys levels, it was seen that there were no statistically significant differences. A negative linear relationship was found between folic acid levels and Hcys.

CONCLUSION: We could not find any correlations between Hcys levels and history of prior thromboembolic events.

Keywords: Ulcerative colitis; Homocysteine; Folate; Vitamin B12