Affiliations: Graduate Institute of Medical Biotechnology &
Department of Medical Biotechnology and Laboratory Science, Chang Gung
University, Kwei-san, Tao-yuan, Taiwan | Department of Clinical Pathology, Chang Gung Memorial
Hospital, Kwei-san, Tao-yuan, Taiwan | Formosa Biomedical Technology Corporation, Taipei,
Taiwan
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Dr. Daniel Tsun-Yee Chiu,
Professor, Graduate Institute of Medical Biotechnology and Department of
Medical Biotechnology and Laboratory Science, Chang Gung University, 259,
Wen-Hwa 1st road, Kwei-san, Tao-yuan, Taiwan. Tel./Fax: +886 3 2118540;
E-mail: dtychiu@mail.cgu.edu.tw
Abstract: Homocysteine (Hcy) has recently been considered as a risk factor for
cardiovascular disease. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the third most common
cause of mortality in Taiwan. The objective of our present study is to
delineate the relationship between the plasma Hcy level and CAD in Taiwanese
using an improved enzymatic method. Blood samples were collected from 86 CAD
patients, which include 38 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and 48
patients with stable CAD, and 89 controls. Plasma Hcy levels were measured by
HPLC and enzymatic methods. Plasma Hcy levels were 8.27 ±
1.74, 8.50 ±1.88 and 11.76 ± 4.58
μM in normal controls, patients with stable CAD and those
with ACS, respectively. Plasma Hcy levels were elevated in the cohort of ACS
patients, as compared with those of normal controls or patients with stable
CAD. Within the CAD group, patients with the highest quartile Hcy level
(10.18–23.73 μM) had a significantly higher odd ratio
for ACS, as compared with those with the lowest quartile Hcy level after
multivariate adjustment. Plasma Hcy concentration can be used as an independent
risk factor of ACS, particularly for those with a history of CAD. Moreover, our
improved enzymatic assay can be automated for large-scale screening of
high-risk cohorts.
