Relationship between Serum Nickel and Homocysteine Concentration in Hemodialysis Patients

Abstract

Severe hyperhomocysteinemia (HHC) is associated with atherosclerosis. In hemodialysis (HD) patients, one of the main causes of death is cardiovascular disease. In animals, trace elements such as cobalt, copper, iron, and nickel ameliorated vitamin B(12) deficiency-induced HHC. However, correlations between plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) and trace elements in HD patients have not been investigated. Therefore, tHcy, folate, vitamin B(12), trace elements (cobalt, copper, iron, and nickel), and some laboratory parameters such as serum total protein, albumin, transferrin, ferritin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin-6 concentrations were determined in 122 hemodialysis patients. When patients were divided into groups according to their tHcy, we found no significant differences in concentrations of cobalt, copper, and total protein, while nickel was higher, and folate, vitamin B(12), and iron were lower in patients with lower than higher tHcy. In univariate regression analysis, tHcy negatively correlated with concentrations of folate (r = -0.302, p < 0.006), vitamin B(12) (r = -0.347, p < 0.0001), nickel (r = -0.289, p < 0.006), and CRP (r = -0.230, p < 0.02) and positively with serum albumin (r = 0.316, p < 0.0004) and hemoglobin (r = 0.329, p < 0.0001) values. No relationship between tHcy and serum concentrations of cobalt, copper, iron, or other laboratory parameters was found in HD patients. The effect of cobalt and nickel on homocysteine production was assessed in human peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Nickel but not cobalt at concentrations found in HD patients significantly inhibited homocysteine, cysteine, and S-adenosylhomocysteine production in human PBMCs. These results suggest that nickel might also be involved in the regulation of the methionine-folate cycle in humans, as was demonstrated in animal experiments.

The Study of Biomarker Homocysteine as Risk Factor in Acute Cerebral Stroke Patients of Western Rajasthan

“…[15] Elevated levels of Homocysteine (eHcy or hyperhomocysteinaemia) occur with aging and decreased renal function. [14][15][16][17] Our study has observed a strong link between hyperhomocysteinaemia and ischaemic stroke. The findings are supported by recent study, which showed that hyperhomocysteinaemia was found in 48% of ischaemic stroke patients.…”

Determinants of plasma homocysteine in coal miners.

“…Krieg et al (2009) pointed out that serum folate, erythrocyte folate, and serum vitamin B 12 decreased as the blood lead concentration increased. Katko et al (2008) suggested that nickel might also be involved in the regulation of the methionine-folate cycle in humans. Tamura et al (2004) indicated that longterm, high-copper intake resulted in small but significant decreases in plasma concentrations of Hcy and folate.…”

Trace Minerals in Patients with End‐Stage Renal Disease

“…Acute dermatitis was reported in a dialysis clinic using a nickel‐based stainless steel fitting in the pathway of the acid component of the dialysis bath (80). Of some comfort, perhaps, higher nickel levels have been linked to lower homocysteine levels in HD patients (81).…”