Plasma Total Homocysteine Concentrations Are Unrelated to Insulin Sensitivity and Components of the Metabolic Syndrome in Healthy Men¹

Abstract

Plasma homocysteine levels are lowered by insulin and can be elevated in insulin-resistant states. However, it is uncertain whether homocysteine and insulin resistance or components of the metabolic (insulin resistance) syndrome are related in healthy individuals. Total homocysteine concentrations were measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in samples from 100 male participants in the second follow-up cohort of the Heart Disease and Diabetes Risk Indicators in a Screened Cohort Study. Members of this cohort have each undergone an iv glucose tolerance test with measurement of insulin sensitivity by minimal model analysis. Age ranged from 31--62 yr (mean, 46.8), body mass index from 20.6--36.5 kg/m(2) (mean, 26.3), insulin sensitivity from 0.0--9.6 min/mU.L (mean, 2.32), and homocysteine concentrations from 7.5--30.6 micromol/L (mean, 12.2). In univariate correlation, homocysteine concentrations were unrelated to insulin sensitivity or to components of the metabolic syndrome, including fasting serum triglycerides, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, high density lipoprotein subfraction 2 cholesterol, blood pressure, uric acid, systolic blood pressure, or body mass index. These measures were, nevertheless, highly intercorrelated. These findings strengthen the possibility that in healthy humans, homocysteine metabolism is not substantially affected by insulin action.

Metabolomic analysis of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes: amino acid and acylcarnitine levels change along a spectrum of metabolic wellness

“…This has been related to its role in causing endothelial damage (Félétou & Vanhoutte, 2006). Studies of the association of serum homocysteine levels with insulin resistance have had conflicting results (Bar-On et al, 2000; Godsland et al, 2001; Meigs et al, 2001; Sanchez-Margalet et al, 2002). Mechanistically, elevated serum homocysteine could be a cause or consequence of insulin resistance.…”

Alleviation of Dyslipidemia via a Traditional Balanced Korean Diet Represented by a Low Glycemic and Low Cholesterol Diet in Obese Women in a Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Insulin resistance is associated with the serum concentrations of amino acids, especially branched-chain amino acid (BCAA), glutamate, tyrosine, and aspartate [30,31]. However, the relation between serum concentrations of BCAA and insulin resistance is still controversial in healthy persons [32]. Serum L-homocysteine concentration represents insulin resistance in non-diabetic and diabetic individuals and increased vascular risk [33,34].…”

Procoagulant activities of plasma factor VIIc and factor Xc are positively and independently associated with concentrations of the high-density lipoprotein apolipoprotein, apo A-II

“…The HDDRISC Study is acohortstudy of metabolic risk factors forthe development of coronaryheartdiseaseand diabetes (15,16). The study beganin1971 as acompanyhealth program, in the courseofwhich participants received arangeofmetabolic, clinical and laboratorymeasurements.…”