Homocyst(e)Ine, Vitamin Status, and CVD Risk

February 8, 2016 updated by: University of Washington
To test the hypotheses that the risk of myocardial infarction and/or stroke is associated with elevated plasma levels of homocysteine, and low plasma levels of folate, vitamins B12 and B6.

Study Overview

Detailed Description

BACKGROUND:

Elevated plasma homocyst(e)ine is a risk factor for vascular disease in middle-aged men. Supplementation with folate, and to some extent vitamins B12 and B6, can reduce plasma homocyst(e)ine levels. There is also evidence from in vitro studies that the adverse atherogenic or thrombotic effects of Lp(a) may be greatly enhanced by homocyst(e)ine. The high prevalence of low levels of folate and vitamins B12 and B6 among the elderly in the United States has led to the hypothesis that a substantial portion of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality among older persons could be prevented by increasing intake of these nutrients to reduce plasma levels of homocysteine. Little is known, however, regarding the relationship of homocysteine, folate, B vitamins, and Lp(a) to cardiovascular disease among the elderly, among whom CVD represents the leading cause of morbidity and mortality.

DESIGN NARRATIVE:

In this ancillary study to the prospective Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS), a case-cohort design was used to test hypotheses that the risk of myocardial infarction and/or stoke was associated with elevated plasma levels of homocysteine, and low plasma levels of folate, vitamins B12 and B6. Further, a determination was made whether elevated plasma levels of homocysteine and Lp(a) interacted to increase substantially the risk of myocardial infarction and/or stroke above that due to either factor alone. The sub-cohort was used to study the relationship between the factors under study and progression of sub-clinical atherosclerosis. For each case and sub-cohort member, an aliquot of fasting plasma drawn at baseline was analyzed for homocysteine, folate B12, and B6 concentrations. [Values of plasma Lp(a) were determined at baseline.] Results of these assays were combined with other CHS data to address the hypothesis that the risk of myocardial infarction and/or stroke was associated with elevated plasma levels of homocysteine, and low plasma levels of folate, vitamins B12 and B6.

Study Type

Observational

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

No older than 100 years (Child, Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

Male

Description

No eligibility criteria

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

September 1, 1995

Study Completion

March 1, 1999

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

May 25, 2000

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 25, 2000

First Posted (Estimate)

May 26, 2000

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

February 10, 2016

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 8, 2016

Last Verified

June 1, 2000

More Information

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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