PLASMA TOTAL HOMOCYSTEINE LEVELS IN HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS

Homocysteine (Hey) is an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis. Since atherosclerotic cardiovascular events are the most frequent death causes in end stage renal disease patients, in the present study, plasma total Hey levels, their relationship with renal functions and nutritional status and the effect of hemodialysis on plasma total Hey levels were investigated in hemodialysis patients. In 16 hemodialysis patients, pre- and postdialysis plasma total Hey , serum urea, creatinine and albumin levels were determined. As an indicator of dialysis adequacy, URR (urea reduction rate) values of the patients were calculated. The control group was consisted of 16 healthy subjects and their plasma total Hey levels were also measured. Predialysis plasma total Hey levels of the patients were compared to those of the controls and to the postdialysis levels. Additionally, it was also investigated whether predialysis and postdialysis plasma total Hey levels of the patients had relationship with serum urea, creatinine, albumin levels and URR values. The both of pre- and postdialysis levels of plazma total homosistein were higher than those of controls. While pre- and postdialysis plazma total homosistein levels had no correlation with nutritional statues of the patients, they had significant correlation with URR values. In conclusion, hemodialysis patients have elevated plasma total Hey levels. Although there is a reduction in plasma total Hey levels after hemodialysis session, they do not return to the normal in postdialysis period.