The Comparison of Pregnant and Non-pregnant Women for Homocysteine, Vitamin B12 Levels and the Study of Factors Effecting on Homocysteine, Vitamin B12 / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare with pregnant and non-pregnant women for homocysteine and vitamin B12 and to determine effecting factors on serum homocysteine and vitamin B12 level. METHODS: From March 2001 to February 2002, 202 pregnant (24-28 wks) women and 237 non- pregnant women were included in this study. Blood sample for homocysteine, vitamin B12, folate and questionaires about life style and nutrition were done. Homocysteine was measured by HPLC and vitamin B12, folate were measured by RIA. RESULT: Concentrations (mean+/-8D) of homocysteine and vitamin B12 in pregnant women were 8.2+/-3.1 micromol/L, 449.4+/-212.3 pg/ml, and in non-pregnant women were 12.5+/-6.3 micromol/L, 1017.1+/-296.8 pg/ml, respectively. Risk group of homocysteine was 6.5% in pregnant women (n=12/185), and 26.4% in non- pregnant women (n=57/216). In pregnant women, homocysteine have a negative correlation with folate, vitamin B12 (p<0.05). Non- pregnant women were divided to three groups (smoker, ever been smoker but stop smoking now, non- smoker) and concentrations of homocysteine were 13.6+/-7.0, 13.0+/-6.7, 11.9+/-7.6 micromol/L, respectively. They were divided to two groups (drinker, non-drinker) and concentrations of homocysteine were 12.9+/-7.0, 10.4+/-3.0 micromol/L respectively (p<0.05). Pregnant women who take nutrients have a higher concentration of folate than in women do not (8.8+/-5.1 vs. 7.9+/-3.9 pg/ml, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Homocysteine in women during pregnancy is decreased by about 35% compared with that of non-pregnant women. In pregnant women, as homocysteine increases, as folate and vitamin B12 decrease. Among the non-pregnant women, higher level of homocysteine demonstrated in smokers than in non-smokers and in drinkers than non-drinkers. In pregnant women who take nutrients have a significant higher level of folate than do not, but have no significant relationship in homocysteine level.

Macrovascular dysfunction detected by comparison of serum FDP detected by simplified venous occlusion test in patients with NIDDM and CVA / 대한내과학회지

OBJECTIVES: In diabetic patients, the incidence of atherosclerotic disease are increased, which may be due to decreased fibrinolytic activity. The aim of study is to elucidate the relationship between angiopathies and vascular function evaluated by simplified venous occlusion test in patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and cerebrovascular accident (CVA). METHODS: The study was conducted on 63 patients who were hospitalized during the period from March 1, 1994 to May 30, 1997. The serum concentration of fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) was measured before and 5 min after venous occlusion in 31 NIDDM patients, 16 CVA patients and 16 age-matched control subjects. FDP was measured with the anti-fibrinogen- coated latex particle agglutinin assay system. RESULTS: 1) The basal serum FDP level was higher in diabetic patients with macroangiopathy (12.3+/-5.8 ug/ml) and patients with CVA (11.2+/-5.1 ug/ml) than in control subjects (5.7+/-1.8 ug/ml) (p<0.05). 2) The increment of serum FDP level after venous occlusion in diabetic patients with microangiopathy (6.6+/-2.2 to 10.3+/-4.1 ug/ml) and control subjects (5.7+/-1.8 to 11.4+/-4.3 ug/ml) was significantly higher than basal serum FDP level (p<0.05). But the increment of serum FDP level after venous occlusion in diabetic patients with macroangiopathy (12.3+/-5.8 to 15.2+/-5.1 ug/ml) and patients with CVA (11.2+/-5.1 to 13.7+/-4.8 ug/ml) wasn't significantly higher than basal serum FDP level. 3) The increment rate of serum FDP after venous occlusion in diabetic patients with macroangiopathy (24.4+/-29.3%) and patients with CVA (29.4+/-34.5%) was significantly lower than diabetic patients with microangiopathy (66.3+/-71.7%) and control subjects (84.1+/-69.3%) (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The responsiveness of fibrinolytic activity to venous occlusion was significantly lower in diabetic patients with macroangiopathy, as in patients with CVA, compared with that in control subjects. We conclude that measurement of the increase in serum FDP concentration 5 min after venous occlusion may be useful to detect vascular dysfunction in patients with macrovascular disease caused by atherosclerosis.