Plasma homocysteine status in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

Homocysteine (Hcy), a sulfur-containing amino acid, is eliminated through B vitamins-dependent pathways. Hyperhomocysteinemia has been found to be an independent risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and peripheral vascular diseases. Recently, psoriasis, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis were reported to be associated with hyperhomocysteinemia. This study was aimed to evaluate the changes of plasma Hcy level before and after sulfasalazine and MTX therapy in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). One hundred and two patients with AS and ten normal controls were enrolled in the cross-sectional case-control study. Fasting plasma Hcy levels were determined by ELISA kits (IMX, Abbott). Hcy levels were compared to their Bath AS disease activity index (BASDAI) and the usage of sulfasalazine and/or MTX. Active disease was defined by BASDAI as more than 3 in a 10-cm scale with ESR >20 mm/h. For those patients with plasma Hcy ≥15 μmol/l, a perspective trial of daily supplement of vitamin B-12 0.5 mg, B-6 50 mg, and folic acid 5 mg for 2 weeks were also tested for the efficacy. Plasma Hcy level increased significantly in AS patients under sulfasalazine (10.4±3.8 μmol/l, p<0.05), MTX (11.9±4.7, p<0.05) and sulfasalazine/MTX combination treatment (11.2±2.6, p<0.05) compared with normal controls (8.6±1.2 μmol/l) and AS patients without DMARD(9.4± 2.6μmol/l). No correlation between disease activity and plasma Hcy level was found. Daily supplement of vitamin B-12 0.5 mg, B-6 50 mg, and folic acid 5 mg can lower Hcy level in 2 weeks (32.3±24.0 vs 15.6±11.1 μmol/l, p=0.007). Plasma homocysteine level did significantly increase in AS patients under sulfasalazine or MTX treatment. B-vitamins should be considered as a routine supplementation for patients who underwent sulfasalazine and/or MTX treatment. Further longitudinal studies are required to confirm the conclusions.