The role of homocysteine (Hcy) in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD) is controversial, as decreased Hcy levels have not demonstrated consistent clinical benefits. Recent studies propose that S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH), and not Hcy, plays a role in cardiovascular disease (CVD). We aimed to assess the relationship between plasma SAH and coronary artery lesions. Participants (n=160; aged 40-80years) with chest pain and suspected CAD underwent coronary angiography (CAG) for assessment of coronary artery stenosis, and were assigned to either the atherosclerosis (AS) or CAD group. Plasma SAH and S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) concentrations were measured and the association between coronary artery lesions and SAH was assessed. SAH levels were significantly higher in the CAD group (23.09±2.4nmol/L) than in the AS group (19.2±1.5nmol/L). While the AS group had higher values for SAM/SAH (5.1±0.7 vs. 4.1±1.1), levels of SAM, Hcy, folate, and vitamin B12 were similar in the two groups. Coronary artery lesions were associated with SAH (β=11.8 [95% CI: 5.88, 17.7, P<0.05]. Plasma SAH concentrations are independently associated with coronary artery lesions among patients undergoing coronary angiography. Plasma SAH might be a novel biomarker for the early clinical identification of CVD.
Keywords: Coronary artery lesions; Folate; Homocysteine; S-adenosylhomocysteine; S-adenosylmethionine.
Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.