Plasma total homocysteine is a determinant of carotid intima-media thickness and circulating endothelial progenitor cells in patients with newly diagnosed hypertension.

Background: Accumulating evidence suggests that elevated plasma homocysteine (Hcy), prevalent in hypertensive patients, affects oxidant/antioxidant balance of the body, and is linked to the development of atherosclerosis, inflammation, and endothelium injury. Our objective was to examine a hypothesis that Hcy is a predictor of total antioxidant status (TAS) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), important in the repair of injured endothelium, in hypertensive patients.

Methods: This study was conducted with newly diagnosed essential hypertension patients (n=42) and healthy controls (n=20). Anthropometric and biochemical characteristics, including plasma Hcy, lipids, TAS, and C-reactive protein (CRP) were quantified. Intima-media thickness (IMT) was assessed in carotid arteries. Blood derived EPCs were quantified using an in vitro culture assay.

Results: Hcy, IMT, and CRP were significantly elevated while TAS and EPCs were significantly lower in hypertensive patients compared with controls. In multivariate regression analysis Hcy was a predictor of IMT of carotid artery and EPCs number.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that Hcy might increase carotid artery IMT by reducing EPCs numbers. Possible involvement of Hcy in the reduction of EPCs number in hypertensive patients might be in part mediated by Hcy influence on the TAS.