[Homocysteinaemia and degenerative complications in non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus]

ABSTRACT

Type 2 diabetes mellitus [non insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus NIDDM] is known to be associated with degenerative complications. Although, the pathophysiology of such complications is well known, the role of homocysteine [Hey] is still discussed.The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between the homocysteine levels and the NIDDM related complications in a group of NIDDM patients. Our study population consisted of 41 NIDDM patients including 13 subjects [G1] without complications [group controls], 17 patients [G2] with microangiopathy and 11 patients [G3] with coronary deficiency. Plasmatic homocysteine, glycemia, glycated haemoglobin [HbAIC] and lipid parameters were assessed in all patients. Our results showed that mean levels of plasmatic homocysteine were within the normal range [10.4 +/- 3.3 micro mol/l, 9.9 +/- 5.5 micro mol/l and 14.8 +/- 10.4 micro mol/l in G1, G2 and G3 respectively]. Nevertheless, moderate hyperhomocysteinaemia was found in 36% in the coronary group [G3], 17.3% in patients with microangiopathy [G2] and 7.7% in controls.These preliminary results showed that cardiovascular complications in NIDDM patients may be related to high levels of homocysteine