RESUMEN
Background: Hyperhomocysteinemia is a newly recognized cardiovascular risk factor that is present in 10 to 20percent of European and North American individuals. Aim: To measure homocysteine levels in healthy adults in Chile. Subjects and methods: Serum homocysteine levels were measured in healthy adults using a fluorimetric HPLC method. Folic acid, vitamin B12, serum lipids, creatinine and glucose were also assessed. All subjects answered a dietary habits questionnaire. Results: One hundred twenty eight subjects (90 female) aged 22 to 78 years old were studied. Homocysteine levels were 9.7 ñ 6.0 and 7.0 ñ 3.1 µmol/l in men and women respectively (p< 0.001). Folic acid levels were 6.1 ñ 2.7 and 6.1 ñ 2.9 ng/ml in men and women, and 24percent of individuals had values below 4 ng/ml. Vitamin B12 levels were 393 ñ 147 and 393 ñ 163 pg/ml in the same groups. There was a negative correlation between homocysteine and folic acid levels and a positive correlation between homocysteine and creatinine levels. Conclusions: Homocysteine levels in healthy Chilean individuals are similar to those reported abroad. Low folic acid levels were found in 24percent of subjects