Homocysteine Among Renal Transplant Recipients and Its Correlation to the Cyclosporine, GFR and Folate Levels

摘要

Hyperhomocysteinemia seems to occur frequently after renal transplantation. It is important to manage cases of hyperhomocysteinemia, aiming to decrease cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in this population. The purpose of this study was to determine the homocysteine level in stable renal transplant recipients and its correlation to the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), cyclosporine level and plasma folate level. Fifty-two stable renal transplant recipients were evaluated, considering age, post-transplant time, renal function tests, lipid profile, total plasma homocysteine, plasma folate and cyclosporine levels. All patients included in the study had hyperhomocysteinemia [34 (65%) mild and 18 (35%) moderate]; hypertriglyceridemia was present in 90% of patients, hypercholesterolemia in 40% of patients and a state of low folate level in all patients. There was a significant positive correlation between the Hcy level and the blood urea and serum creatinine (r = 0.529, r = 0.279, P < 0.05) and a significant negative correlation with plasma folate and GFR (r = −0.416 and r = −0.375; P < 0.05), respectively. Homocysteine is identified as an independent risk factor for CVD, so assessment of the Hcy level should be done for RTRs.