Homocysteine levels are inversely associated with capillary density in men, not in premenopausal women.

BACKGROUND

Homocysteine is an independent predictor of cardiovascular risk. The mechanisms underlying this link are not fully elucidated. Whereas the role of vascular dysfunction in conduit arteries is extensively studied, the role of the microcirculation in this relationship is largely unexplored. We assessed the relationship between homocysteine levels and microvascular structure and function in a healthy, population-based cohort.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

We cross-sectionally studied 260 participants (aged 42 years, 47% men) of the Amsterdam Growth and Health Longitudinal Study. Nailfold videocapillaroscopy was used to assess capillary density at baseline, during venous occlusion and during peak reactive hyperaemia. The relationship between tertiles of homocysteine and microvascular outcomes was evaluated using linear regression analyses, with adjustment for BMI and blood pressure. Stratified analyses were performed for men and women.

RESULTS

In men, we observed a negative, nonlinear relationship between homocysteine and baseline capillary density, showing a lower capillary density in the highest tertile of homocysteine [adjusted B -8.65 capillaries/mm(2) (95%-CI: -16.05 to -1.25); P = 0.02]. In women, no significant associations were found between homocysteine and microvascular outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

In men, higher homocysteine levels are associated with a reduction in basal perfusion of skin capillaries. This finding provides a novel potential explanation for how homocysteine influences cardiovascular disease risk.