Introduction: Homocysteine is an aminoacid yielded from methionin to cysteine metabolism. Normal plasma concentration of
homocysteine in human is between ۵-۱۵ mol/l and an increase more than ۵ mol/l can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, atherosclerosis and thrombosis. On the other hand in dialysis patients due to some reasons such as uremia, genetic factors, dialysis related factors and vitamin B group deficiency, the plasma level of
homocysteine increases. This study was done to evaluate Plasma vitamin B۱۲, Folic acid and
homocysteine levels in kerman hemodialysis patients in comparison to healthy persons. Methods: In this cross-sectional study performed in two hemodialysis units of kerman-Iran, ۲۵ hemodialysis patients and ۲۵ healthy persons were studied. Blood samples were drawn prior to the dialysis session. The samples were centrifuged and the plasma was kept frozen at -۲۰° C until analysis. Homocysteine level was determined by Gas-Chromatography and vitamin levels analysis were determined by radio assay method. Results: Mean
homocysteine level in hemodialysis patients (۱۹.۷±۸.۸ mol/l) showed significant difference (P=۰.۰۲۴) with healthy persons,
homocysteine level (۱۵.۳±۳ mol/l). There were no relationship between the time passed since the first dialysis (p=۰.۱۸۸) and patients, age (p=۰.۴۱۹) with
homocysteine levels. Plasma vitmin B۱۲ and folic acid levels in hemodialysis patients were ۴۶۷۲±۲۳۷۹ pg/ml and ۴۷±۱۷ ng/ml respectively. These values were much more than those in healthy persons (۹۵۹±۴۰۹ Pmol/L and ۱۴±۱۲nmol/L respectively). Conclusion: Although
homocysteine level in our patients was more than healthy persons, but it was lower than that of hemodialysis patients in other countries. This difference may be related to some factors such as genetic factors and administration of daily oral folic acid and Intravenous injection of B۱۲ and B Complex after each dialysis session. Therefore this procedure is recommended in hemodialysis patients.