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Plasma homocysteine is adversely associated with glomerular filtration rate in asymptomatic black and white young adults: the Bogalusa heart study

  • Renal Diseases
  • Published:
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Abstract

That plasma homocysteine is elevated markedly in renal dysfunction is well recognized. But whether the increased homocysteine is an independent correlate of glomerular filtration rate, a marker of renal function, in asymptomatic younger individuals is not clear. The aim of this study was to determine the association between plasma homocysteine and renal function in a biracial (black–white) community-based cohort of asymptomatic young adults. Plasma homocysteine along with cardiovascular disease risk factor variables were measured in 805 white and 330 black subjects, ages 24–44 years, enrolled in the Bogalusa Heart Study. Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study equation was used to calculate the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) from serum creatinine level. Males versus females showed higher homocysteine levels (8.83 ± 3.16 vs. 7.35 ± 2.84 μmol/L, p < 0.0001) and lower eGFR (99.1 ± 17.6 vs. 102.5 ± 21.0 mL/min/1.73 m2, p = 0.024). Whites versus blacks had lower eGFR (97.3 ± 18.0 vs. 110.0 ± 20.6 mL/min/1.73 m2, p < 0.0001). In a multivariate regression analysis that included age, race, sex, body mass index, blood pressure, lipoprotein variables, insulin resistance index and homocysteine, white race, age and homocysteine, in that order, were independently and negatively associated with eGFR. The odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of individuals in the homocysteine quintiles II, III, IV and V vs. I for having the risk of impaired eGFR defined as <10th percentile was 2.28 (0.95–5.50, p = 0.065), 2.97 (1.24–7.12, p = 0.015), 3.32 (1.45–7.60, p = 0.005) and 6.99 (3.06–15.94, p < 0.0001), respectively. Homocysteine is an independent correlate of renal function in asymptomatic black and white young adults.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by grants AG-16592 from the National Institute on Aging, 0855082E from American Heart Association and HL-38844 from the National Heart, Lung, Blood Institute.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tulane Center for Cardiovascular Health and Department of Epidemiology, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, 1440 Canal Street, Suite 1829, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA

    Litao Ruan, Wei Chen, Sathanur R. Srinivasan, Jihua Xu, Ahmet Toprak & Gerald S. Berenson

  2. Department of Ultrasound Diagnostics, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China

    Litao Ruan

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  1. Litao Ruan
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Correspondence to Gerald S. Berenson.

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Ruan, L., Chen, W., Srinivasan, S.R. et al. Plasma homocysteine is adversely associated with glomerular filtration rate in asymptomatic black and white young adults: the Bogalusa heart study. Eur J Epidemiol 24, 315–319 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10654-009-9340-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10654-009-9340-0

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