Homocysteine Level, Insulin Resistance and β-Cell Function among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome.

Background: Homocysteine (Hcy) is thought to increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). Several data indicate that there may be a relationship between hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) and insulin resistance (IR), which is a clinical substitute of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Objective: To determine plasma Homocysteine level, insulin resistance, and β-cell function among patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and metabolic syndrome (MetS).  Methods:  The study included 150 patients with T2D (75 patients with T2D and MetS, and 75 patients with T2D without MetS) and 75 apparently healthy control subjects. The diagnosis of MetS was confirmed by the updated ATPIII criteria for the definition of MetS. Blood pressure (BP), Body Mass Index (BMI), and Waist circumference (WC), plasma Homocysteine, fasting blood glucose (FBG), and insulin were determined in all participants. In addition, IR and ß- cell function were determined by Homeostatic model assessment (HOMA-IR and HOMA-B) equations, respectively. Results: Patients with T2D with and without MetS have significantly higher WC, BMI, and systolic blood pressure (SBP), Hcy, FBG, HOMA-IR, and lower HOMA-B in comparison to the control group (p < 0.001). Whereas Patients with T2D and MetS have significantly higher diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and insulin levels than controls, P<0.001. Conclusion: Patients with T2D with and without MetS have significantly higher Hcy levels. This may further increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among patients with T2D.