Homocysteine and von Willebrand factor in chronic alcoholism
Koriakin, A.M.; Epifantseva, N.N.; Dadyka, I.V.; Gorbatovskiĭ, I.A.
Klinicheskaia Laboratornaia Diagnostika 4: 5-7
2010
ISSN/ISBN: 0869-2084 PMID: 20524338 Document Number: 644261
The levels of homocysteine (HC) and von Willebrand factor (VWF) as cardiovascular risk factors were studied in patients with Stage II chronic alcoholism. Forty-one men with Stage II chronic alcoholism without clinical signs of somatic and infectious diseases were examined. Their median age was 37 (range 32-40) years; the alcoholization period was 12 (range 8-17) years. Plasma HC and VWF (amount and activity) levels were determined. In 63.4% of chronic alcoholic patients, HC levels was twice as high as in the controls; in 80.6%, both the content and activity of VWF were increased. There was no correlation between the levels of HC and VWF. Vascular endothelial damage concurrent with hyperhomocysteinemia increases a cardiovascular risk in patients with Stage II chronic alcoholism.