Relationship between changes of the levels of plasma Hcy and ET in patients with cerebral infarction

Objective: To investigate the relationship among the plasma Hcy, ET levels and development of cerebral infarction (CI). Methods: Plasma Hcy levels were measured with chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA) and plasma ET levels with radioimmunoassay (RIA) in 31 controls and 31 patients with cerebral infarction. Results: In CI patients the mean plasma Hey and ET levels were (17.09 ± 8.39) μmol/L and (59.24 ± 15.99) ng/L respectively. In the controls mean plasma Hey and ET levels were (8.92 ± 2.69 )μmol/L and (40.39 ± 10.26)ng/L, respectively. The mean plasma Hcy and ET levels were significantly higher in CI patients than those in the controls (P<0.01). Linear correlation analysis showed that plasma Hey level was correlated positively with ET (r=0.4615, P<0.01) in the patients. Conclusion: Homocysteine may cause injury and functional changes of endothelial cells and promote ET excretion, which contributes to the development and progression of CI. (authors)