血液中葉酸、維生素B6、Bl2及半胱胺酸濃度與缺血性腦中風之關聯

Objective: Hyperhomocysteinemia might be a risk factor for atherosclerotic vascular diseases, including ischemic stroke. Deficiency of folate, vitamin B6, or vitamin B12 has been linked to hyperhomocysteinemia based on the biochemical metabolism. However, low levels of these vitamins themselves were also attributed to atherosclerosis independently. This study explores the association between the plasma levels of these vitamins, homocysteine and ischmic stroke. Methods: A total of 55 patients with ischemic stroke and 92 control subjects were recruited in this study. Plasma levels of homocysteine, folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6 were determined by use of HPLC or radloimmunoassay method. Results: Both vitamin B6 and folate are significantly lower in ischemic stroke patients with a p value of 0.0002 and 0.003 respectively. Homocysteine levels appear to be higher in patient group but it fail to achieve statistical significance (P= 0.074). Vitamin B12 levels are not significanty different in both groups. After age-adjusted analysis, vitamin B6 and folate levels are still inversely related to stroke significantly (95% confidence interval, 0.877-0.981 and 0.750-0.903). Conclusions: Lower serum concentrations of vitamin B6 and folate are associated with ischemic stroke. These effects, however, may be independent of hyperhomocysteinemia.