[Role of homocysteine in the pathogenesis of vascular complications of type 2 diabetes].

The purpose of the investigation was to study the plasma levels of homocysteine (HC) inpatients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) and its association with the development of diabetic angiopathies and some clinical and laboratory parameters. Among 92 patients with DM2, hyperhomocysteinemia (22.6±6.1 μmol/l) was detected in 53% (Group 1) whereas the level of HC was normal (11.3±2.7 μmol/l). The signs of macro- and microangiopathy (nephropathy, in particular) were more common In patients with elevated HC levels than in those with normal HC levels (70% versus 21%; p <0.001; 73% versus 26%; p = 0.008). The carbohydrate and lipid metabolic values and the type of sugar-reducing therapy did not affect the level of HC whereas a clear correlation was found between HC and glomerular filtration rate(GFR), albuminuria, age, and systolic blood pressure. Thus, elevated plasma HC levels in patients with DM2 are associated with the high risk of vascular events and with renal functional parameters (GFR, albuminuria).