[Serum homocysteine, vitamin B12 and folic acid concentrations in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis].

The aim of the work was to establish serum homocysteine, vitamin B12 and folic acid concentrations in patients with alcoholic liver disease. Mentioned above vitamins are enzymatic cofactors for metabolic changes of homocysteine. It is a common fact that alcoholics often present with avitaminosis. Additionally, damaged liver worsens this pathology what can negatively influence metabolism of homocysteine. 40 patients--(mean age 52.7 years) and 40 healthy individuals (mean age 50.3 years) were examined. Hyperhomocysteinemia (concentration > 12 mmol//l) was stated in 50% of the patients and mean homocysteine concentration was statistically significantly higher if compared to the controls (13.29 +/- 8.16 vs 11.03 +/- 1.6 mmol/l p < 0.05). In the female patients homocysteine concentration was significantly higher than in the healthy controls (14.6 +/- 10.63 vs 10.73 +/- 1.37 mmol/l p < 0.001). A negative correlation between homocysteine concentration and folic acid concentration in the group of the patients with hyperthomocysteinemia was observed (r = -0.88, p < 0.001) and among all the patients (r = -0.312, n.s.). Vitamin B12 levels were significantly higher in the group of patients than in the controls (659.43 +/- 489.27 vs 384.44 +/- 145.93 p < 0.001) what is consistent with the data from the literature. A positive correlation between mean homocysteine concentration, age and platelet count of the examined patients was stated (r = 0.350, p < 0.05, r = 0.508, p < 0.001). On the basis of the obtained results one can conclude that hyperthomocysteinemia is often established in alcoholic liver disease. Partially, low folic acid concentration is responsible for this fact. In theoretical deliberation one should consider estimation of betaine metylotransferasis levels--the enzyme which is responsible for homocysteine metabolism in the liver.