Serum Homocysteine Concentration Is Significantly Associated with Inflammatory/Immune Factors

PLoS One. 2015 Sep 14;10(9):e0138099. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0138099. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Recent studies suggest that serum homocysteine (HCY) level is correlated to inflammatory/immune factors that influence the development and progression of many diseases, such as cardiovascular disease. However, the association between serum HCY level and inflammatory/immune factors in healthy populations has not been systematically investigated. This study was conducted based on the Fangchenggang Area Male Health and Examination Survey (FAMHES) project. After comprehensive baseline analysis, we could not find any significant association between HCY level and inflammatory/immune factors. However, in the next linear regression analysis, serum C4 [age-adjusted: Beta = -0.053, 95%CI = (-3.798, -0.050), P = 0.044; multivariate adjusted: Beta = -0.064, 95%CI = (-4.271, -0.378), P = 0.019] and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration [unadjusted: Beta = 0.056, 95%CI = (0.037, 0.740), P = 0.030] were positively related with HCY. In further binary regression analysis, a significant correlation was confirmed for C4 and HCY [age-adjusted: OR = 0.572, 95%CI = (0.359, 0.911); multivariate adjusted: OR = 0.558, 95%CI = (0.344, 0.905)]. In order to discover more potential associations, multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied and suggested that HCY and C4 were significantly correlated [age-adjusted: OR = 0.703, 95%CI = (0.519, 0.951); multivariate adjusted: OR = 0.696, 95%CI = (0.509, 0.951)]. In addition, immunoglobulin M (IgM) may influence the HCY level to some extent [unadjusted: OR = 1.427, 95%CI = (1.052, 1.936); age-adjusted: OR = 1.446, 95%CI = (1.061, 1.970); multivariate adjusted: OR = 1.447, 95%CI = (1.062, 1.973)]. Combining our results with recent studies, we propose that C4, CRP, and IgM in serum are significantly associated with HCY concentration. Further studies are needed on the mechanism of the interaction, especially among cardiovascular disease subjects.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aging / blood*
  • Aging / immunology
  • C-Reactive Protein / immunology
  • C-Reactive Protein / metabolism
  • Complement C4 / immunology
  • Complement C4 / metabolism
  • Homocysteine / blood*
  • Homocysteine / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin M / blood
  • Immunoglobulin M / immunology
  • Immunologic Factors / blood*
  • Immunologic Factors / immunology
  • Inflammation Mediators / blood*
  • Inflammation Mediators / immunology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged

Substances

  • Complement C4
  • Immunoglobulin M
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Homocysteine
  • C-Reactive Protein

Grants and funding

This study was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81472414, 81272853, 81370857), National Key Basic Research Program of China(2012CB518303), Key Program and University Talents Highland Innovation Team of Guangxi (2012012D003, GJR201147-09), Chairman Science and Technology Fund and Tackle Program of Guangxi (1116-03, GKG1298003-07-01), Guangxi Natural Science Foundation (2012GXNSFDA053016), Guangxi Graduate Education Innovation Program (2010105981002M175 and 2011105981002M202), Guangxi Natural Science Foundation (2012GXNSFAA053152), and Guangxi Medical University Future Scholar Training Program (02304001012). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.