Reference intervals for total serum homocysteine concentration in shenzhen adults investigated with the aid of nanomaterials

Abstract

Hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Therefore, assessing the reference intervals of total serum homocysteine concentration is a critical step in the process of preventing cardiovascular disease. The primary goals of this study were to evaluate gender- and age-related differences in homocysteine concentration in the general population of Shenzhen and possible influencing factors. This retrospective study enrolled 2665 healthy subjects aged 18 to 89 years (mean age, 46.68 years). Blood samples were collected and serum indexes were detected with the aid of magnetic nanoparticles, and serum homocysteine concentration was evaluated by the circulating enzymatic method. The reference intervals (5th and 95th percentiles) of total serum homocysteine concentrations were analyzed by the Hoffmann approach. This approach has been widely used to evaluate reference intervals for various analytical parameters. There were significant differences between males and females in some anthropometric and laboratory indexes in the Shenzhen general population. Men had higher levels of creatinine, uric acid, blood urea nitrogen, and homocysteine, whereas women had higher levels of estimated glomerular filtration rate and thyroid-stimulating hormone. Further studies showed that the reference intervals of total serum homocysteine showed significant differences between males and females and among subjects of different ages. These concentrations were higher in males (mean, 12.74 μmol/L) than in females, and the reference intervals increased with age. Men aged 18 to 40 years had a higher risk of hyperhomocysteinemia than women of the same age. Age- and gender-specific reference ranges of serum homocysteine were defined.