Plasma homocysteine in obese, overweight and normal weight hypertensives and normotensives.

AIM The aim of the present study was to assess the interrelationship of obesity with plasma homocysteine levels as well as vitamin B12 and folic acid levels in hypertensive and normotensive subjects. METHODS Sixty-five hypertensive and sixty-five normotensive patients were studied. Plasma homocysteine, vitamin B12 and folic acid, lipid parameters, blood pressure, pulse pressure levels, body mass index were estimated in all the subjects. RESULTS We observed raised prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia, dyslipidemia and reduced vitamin levels among the hypertensives compared to normotensives. We observed, among the overweight and obese hypertensives, significantly raised plasma homocysteine, reduced vitamin B12 and folic acid levels, raised blood pressure (systolic and diastolic), pulse pressure, and severe dyslipidemia compared to normal weight hypertensives. Also, among the overweight and obese normotensives, we observed significantly raised plasma homocysteine, along with reduced vitamin B12 and folic acid levels compared to normal weight normotensives. Even the blood pressure levels were in higher normal range in obese and overweight normotensives compared to normal weight normotensives. Among the hypertensives, homocysteine was positively correlated significantly with obesity and arterial pressure levels; and negatively correlated with vitamin levels. Thus, a raise in BMI was associated with elevated homocysteine and reduced vitamin levels among hypertensives. CONCLUSIONS Our data points to significant interrelationship between homocysteine, hypertension and obesity.