Hyperhomocysteinemia and smoking in primary antiphospholipid syndrome

• Main Authors: Bećarević Mirjana, Mirković Duško, Majkić-Singh Nada
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Society of Medical Biochemists of Serbia, Belgrade 2009-01-01
• Series: Journal of Medical Biochemistry
• Subjects: hyperhomocysteinemia; smoking; primary antiphospholipid syndrome; myocardial infarction
• Online Access: https://scindeks-clanci.ceon.rs/data/pdf/1452-8258/2009/1452-82580903172B.pdf

The thrombotic tendency in antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) shares several pathways with atherosclerosis. Atherothrombosis (atherosclerosis superim- posed with thromboses) is influenced by nonmodifiable and some modifiable risk factors (smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, alcohol abuse, hyperhomocysteinemia). Therefore, we investigated the association among clinical and serological features of patients with primary APS and potentially modifiable risk factors for the development of atherothrom- bosis. Also, we compared the analyzed parameters with those in control subjects. Homocysteine concentrations were detected by HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography), while antiphospholipid antibodies were detected by ELISA. Smokers had elevated levels of homocysteine (χ2 = 6.22, p < 0.05). Independently of patients' age, the association between increased levels of homocysteine and history of myocardial infarctions was found (χ2 = 4.61, p < 0.05). Hyperhomocysteinemia and smoking are the most important modifiable risk factors for atherothrombosis in primary APS.