Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences
DOI
-
Abstract
Aim: A relationship between air pollution and increased intima-media thickness (IMT) has been recently reported, but its etiology is not yet well understood. We aimed to determine whether exposure to exhaust particles, which are important air pollutants, is associated with increased serum homocysteine (Hcy) levels and whether elevated Hcy levels are associated with increased IMT. Materials and Methods: Serum Hcy levels were measured by fluorometric high performance liquid chromatography in 65 male highway toll collectors (HTCs) and 43 healthy male volunteers. IMT was measured with Doppler sonography by an experienced radiologist. Results: Serum Hcy levels (14.5 ± 4.9 mmol/L, P < 0.005) and IMT (0.757 ± 0.18 mm, P < 0.001) were higher in the HTC group than in controls (12.0 ± 2.8 mmol/L and 0.612 ± 0.11 mm, respectively). A positive correlation was found between Hcy level and IMT both in the HTC group (r = 0.36; P < 0.005) and in the control group (r = 0.36; P < 0.05). Conclusions: Exposure to exhaust particles may cause an increase in oxidative stress because of an increase in serum Hcy levels, which consequently may lead to an increase in IMT. Nevertheless, further studies on the subject are needed before drawing a firm conclusion.
Keywords
Homocysteine, exhaust particles, intima-media thickness, oxidative stress, highway toll collectors
First Page
133
Last Page
137
Recommended Citation
MEMİŞOĞULLARI, RAMAZAN; ERDOĞMUŞ, BEŞİR; ALP, HAMİT HAKAN; BİLGİN, CAHİT; ARBAK, PERİ MERAM; and YAVUZ, ÖZLEM (2008) "Serum Homocysteine Levels in Highway Toll Collectors and the Relationship with Intima-Media Thickness of the Carotid Artery," Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences: Vol. 38: No. 2, Article 7. Available at: https://journals.tubitak.gov.tr/medical/vol38/iss2/7
