Elevated Serum Homocysteine (Hcy) Levels May Contribute to the Pathogenesis of Cerebral Infarction

Abstract

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to investigate the correlation between serum homocysteine (Hcy) levels and the pathogenesis of cerebral infarction (CI). Relevant studies involving serum Hcy levels and the pathogenesis of CI were identified using electronic database search supplemented with manual search. The search result studies were screened in accordance with our strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. Statistical analyses were conducted with Comprehensive Meta Analysis 2.0 (CMA 2.0) software. A total of 13 studies were eligible for our meta-analysis and included 1206 patients with CI and 1202 healthy controls. Our meta-analysis revealed that the serum Hcy levels in CI patients were significantly higher than those in healthy controls. Subgroup analysis based on ethnicity showed that Caucasians and Asians had significantly higher serum Hcy levels in CI patients compared to healthy controls and Africans showed no significant differences in serum Hcy levels between CI patients and controls. In conclusion, our meta-analysis reveals a strong correlation between elevated serum Hcy levels and the pathogenesis of CI, suggesting that serum Hcy levels may be an important biomarker for the early diagnosis and treatment assessment of CI.

Association of homocysteine level with risk of stroke: A dose–response meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies

“…Heterogeneity decreased significantly on subgroup analyses by region and controlling for smoking. The inconsistency by region subgroup may be related to factors such as the different environment, lifestyles, living conditions, and constitution of Europe, North America and other regions [28]. As for controlling for smoking, the inconsistency can be interpreted as elevated plasma Hcy level being influenced by smoking [29], and smoking can increase the risk of stroke [30].…”

Relationship between senile osteoporosis and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases

“…The US National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale was used to assess the severity of cerebral infarction patients. Mild cerebral infarction: 2–4 points, moderate cerebral infarction: 5–20 points, severe cerebral infarction: >21 points (7).…”

Homocysteine might increase the risk of recurrence in patients presenting with primary cerebral infarction

“…Temple et al [16] found that the plasma Hcy levels in 30-40% of the patients with cerebral infarction were elevated. Other studies also showed that Hhcy was associated with the recurrence of cerebral infarction [14,17]. However, the association of Hhcy levels with cerebral infarction recurrence has not been systematically assessed.…”