Passive Smoking in Never-Smokers Is Associated With Increased Plasma Homocysteine Levels Analysis of NHANES III Data

Abstract

SummarySmoking is associated with increased plasma homocysteine levels, and both are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. However, little information is available on the effects of passive smoking on the level of homocysteine in nonsmokers. We analyzed the data of self-reported never-smokers (aged ≥ 20 years, n = 3,232), who were from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We quantified the passive nicotine exposure by dividing the never-smokers into quartiles as based on the serum cotinine values. Multiple linear and logistic regression models were used to determine any independent relationships between serum cotinine concentration and levels of homocysteine, vitamin B12, and folate. An elevated homocysteine level was defined as a concentration greater than the 80th percentile. A reduced folate or vitamin B12 level was defined as a concentration less than the 20th percentile.After adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, race, folate and vitamin B12 levels, increased cotinine levels (quartile III and IV) were found to be associated with hyperhomocysteinemia. There was a strong nonlinear increase in the serum homocysteine levels across the quartiles of cotinine. Multivariate analysis showed that age, male gender, non-Caucasian, low levels of folate and vitamin B12, and increased serum cotinine (quartile II-IV) were independently associated with elevated homocysteine levels. In conclusion, these findings indicate that passive smoke exposure in never-smokers is positively and independently associated with plasma homocysteine levels in a dose-dependent manner. These findings may help further determine the link between passive smoking and cardiovascular events. (Int Heart J 2010; 51: 183-187)

Relationship Between Plasma Homocysteine Levels and Congestive Heart Failure in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction Homocysteine and Congestive Heart Failure

“…[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] Many issues regarding the mechanism of action of homocysteine in the pathogenesis of arteriosclerosis and thrombotic diseases remain unclear. However, possible causes include vascular endothelial dysfunction, [17][18][19][20][21][22] smooth muscle cell growth, [23][24][25] and an increase in blood clotting activity in vascular walls.…”

“…[3][4][5][6][7][8] A high plasma homocysteine level has been shown to promote arteriosclerosis and to be an independent risk factor in the development of cardiovascular disease. [9][10][11][12][13][14] In a cohort of patients in the Framingham Heart study, a high plasma homocysteine level was shown to be a predictor of heart failure in adults who had not yet experienced myocardial infarction. 15) However, the relationship between heart failure and homocysteine levels in patients with AMI has not been reported.…”

Maternal smoking, passive tobacco smoke, and neural tube defects

“…Exposure to cigarette smoke has been associated with elevated homocysteine in both animal (Davis et al, 2004) and human studies (Ganji and Kafai, 2003;Chrysohoou et al, 2004;Kim et al, 2010). It is possible that cigarette smoking is merely a confounder of poor diet (Trobs et al, 2002;Chrysohoou et al, 2004;Kim et al, 2010). However, high serum homocysteine levels have been linked with NTD-affected pregnancies, even when dietary intake is adequate as indicated by serum B 12 , red blood cell, or serum folate levels (Felkner et al, 2009).…”

“…However, high serum homocysteine levels have been linked with NTD-affected pregnancies, even when dietary intake is adequate as indicated by serum B 12 , red blood cell, or serum folate levels (Felkner et al, 2009). Furthermore, homocysteine levels seem to be positively correlated with smoking exposure in nonsmokers, independent of nutrient levels (Kim et al, 2010).…”

Homocysteine levels in patients with masked hypertension

“…Age, height, weight, body mass index and routine laboratory parameter results of the participants of the study than 20 years (15,25). Because while in smokers the fruit-vegetable consumption and therefore vitamin intake decrease, it is seen that vitamin need increases (24). In our study, homocysteine levels in smoker participants were found higher than homocysteine levels of non-smoker participants.…”