Iranian Journal of

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Background: Hyperhomocysteinemia may increase blood pressure by inducing endothelial cells dysfunction . The aim of this study was determining the relationship between plasma Homocysteine (Hcy) levels and blood pressure in new cases of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Methods: As a cross sectional study, 46 new cases of type 2 diabetes mellitus referred to Isfahan Endocrine and Metabolism Research Center were selected by convenient sampling. Basal characteristics of patients were recorded. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure was measured two times with 30 minutes interval on two consequent days. After ten hours of overnight fasting, blood samples were taken to measure fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, triglyceride, Total cholesterol, HDL-C and creatinine. All data were expressed as mean (SD). Relationship between plasma Homocysteine levels and both systolic and diastolic blood pressure was assessed by Pearson's correlation coefficient. Patients were divided into three groups according to their plasma Homocysteine levels, (Hcy<10mol/L, 10Hcy<15 mol/L and Hcy15mol/L).. Then mean of systolic and diastolic blood pressure between groups were compared by one – way ANOVA and Tuckey-HSD tests.
Results: Mean (SD) of plasma Homocysteine levels was 12.2 (6.8) mol/L and of systolic and diastolic blood pressure was 128.8 (18.1) and 82.3(9) mm/Hg, respectively. There was a significant correlation between plasma Homocysteine levels, and both systolic (r=0.39, P<0.01) and diastolic (r=0.46, P<0.01) blood pressures. Mean (SD) of systolic and diastolic blood pressure in patients with plasma Homocysteine level of 15mol/L was 152.5 (17.7) and 91.8 (7.3) mm/Hg, respectively, so blood pressure in those group with hyperhomocysteinemia was higher than other two groups (P<0.001). There was no correlation between Homocysteine levels and FPG, HbA1c and lipid profile.
Conclusion: There is a significant correlation between plasma Homocysteine levels and both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetics. Patients with hyperhomocyteinemia have higher blood pressure.