Association between homocysteine and neopterin in healthy subjects measured by a simple HPLC-fluorometric method

• Published in: Clinical biochemistry Vol. 34; no. 4; pp. 271 - 275
• Main Authors: Turgan, Nevbahar, Habif, Sara, Parildar, Zuhal, Özmen, Dilek, Mutaf, Isil, Erdener, Dilek, Bayindir, Oya
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.06.2001
• Subjects: Adult; Cell-mediated immunity; Chemistry, Clinical - methods; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid - methods; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay - methods; Female; Fluorometry - methods; Homocysteine; Homocysteine - blood; Homocysteine - urine; Humans; Immunologic marker; Male; Middle Aged; Muscle, Smooth - cytology; Neopterin; Neopterin - blood; Neopterin - urine; Reversed-phase chromatography; Time Factors; Neopterin; Cell-mediated immunity; Homocysteine; Reversed-phase chromatography; Immunologic marker
• ISSN: 0009-9120; 1873-2933
• DOI: 10.1016/S0009-9120(01)00226-0

Objectives: Neopterin and homocysteine promote vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation through the activation of nuclear factor κ B. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between these two compounds in healthy subjects by a rapid HPLC-fluorometric method which simplifies sample pretreatment for the measurement of neopterin in serum. Design and methods: In 40 healthy subjects (45.9 ± 2.1 yr, mean ± SEM, 10 males, 30 females) serum neopterin concentrations were measured by HPLC-fluorometry and enzyme-linked immunusorbant assay-ELISA and the results were compared. Urinary neopterin and plasma total homocysteine concentrations were assayed by HPLC-fluorometry. Results: Serum neopterin concentrations measured by HPLC and ELISA were 7.5 ± 0.4 and 7.4 ± 0.3 nmol/L, respectively, r = 0.92, p < 0.01. Urinary neopterin level was 163.9 ± 11.0 nmol/mmol creatinine and plasma total homocysteine 7.6 ± 0.4 μmol/L. A significant positive correlation was observed between serum neopterin and plasma total homocysteine (r = 0.59, p < 0.01). Conclusions: A simple and rapid sample pretreatment for the measurement of neopterin in serum has been introduced. The significant positive correlation between neopterin and homocysteine implies that, interference with leukocyte function might be a new possible mechanism for the deleterious effects of homocysteine on vascular function.