Effect of simvastatin on plasma homocysteine levels and its modification by mthfr C677T polymorphism in chinese patients with primary hyperlipidemia

Shanqun Jiang, Qianru Chen, Scott A. Venners, Guisheng Zhong, Yi Hsiang Hsu, Houxun Xing, Xiaobin Wang, Xiping Xu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: We investigate the effect of simvastatin on plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels and whether genetic factor affects the effect of simvastatin. Methods: A total of 338 patients with hyperlipidemia were enrolled. Simvastatin was orally administered at a dose of 20 mg/day for 8 weeks. Plasma Hcy levels were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography at baseline and after 8 weeks of treatment. Genotyping of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism was performed by TaqMan probe technique. Results: Serum total Hcy levels were positively correlated with serum creatinine (r = 0.332, P < 0.001). Among total subjects, simvastatin treatment resulted in a significant reduction in serum Hcy levels after 8 weeks (-0.37 ± 2.21 μmol/L, P = 0.003), and this effect was dependent on the initial levels of serum Hcy. The individuals with 677TT genotype had a significantly higher baseline Hcy level and a greater change in Hcy levels. After stratification by body mass index (BMI), we observed a significant increase in Hcy levels among the TT genotype group in adjusted model (beta±SE: 2.64 ± 0.84 μmol/L; P = 0.002) among patients with BMI ≥ 25 (kg/m2). Conclusions: Simvastatin can cause a marked decrease in plasma Hcy levels. MTHFR C677T genetic variant contributes to simvastatin's effects among Chinese subjects with primary hyperlipidemia.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)e27-e33
JournalCardiovascular Therapeutics
Volume31
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2013
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Homocysteine
  • MTHFR C677T
  • Polymorphism
  • Primary hyperlipidemia
  • Simvastatin

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmacology
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Pharmacology (medical)

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