Year : 2024

Volume : Volume 15

Issue : Issue 6

Address for correspondence :
Dr. Shams Tabrez
drshamsdbg86@gmail.com

Abstract

Background: In individuals who have type 2 diabetes, hyperhomocysteinemia is linked to insulin resistance (IR). Hyperhomocysteinemia exacerbates type 2 diabetes by impairing the release of insulin and resulting in irreversible beta cell destruction. The most significant dietary base and coenzyme in one-carbon metabolism is folate, which also acts as a dietary methyl contributor in conjunction with methionine. Aims: Our objectives were to measure the levels of serum homocysteine as well as folic acid in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients and to determine the relationship between these levels and glycemic management and IR among individuals with T2DM in comparison to a healthy control group. Materials and Methods: The study included 136 participants who appeared to be in good health (aged 21–50) and 140 T2DM patients (aged 19–68). Blood was drawn for the measurement of serum insulin, glycosylated hemoglobin percent (HbA1c%), serum glucose, serum folic acid, and serum homocysteine levels following an overnight fast. The electrochemiluminescence immunoassay technique was used to measure the levels of folic acid and insulin (normal range: 5–20 ng/mL for folic acid and 2.6–24.9 mU/mL for insulin). Using the immunological chemiluminescence method, serum homocysteine was analyzed (normal range: 5–15 μmoL/L). Results: Mean serum folic acid level in diabetic patients (2.84 ± 0.933 ng/mL) was lesser as compared to healthy subjects (5.82 ± 2.25 ng/mL). Mean values of homeostatic model assessment-IR, HbA1c, and homocysteine were greater in diabetic subjects as compared to healthy subjects. It was observed that mean folic acid levels were greater in T2DM patients with HbA1c <6.5% (6.245 ± 2.146 ng/mL) as compared to T2DM patients with HbA1c ≥6.5% (2.249 ± 0.872 ng/mL). On the contrary, mean homocysteine was lesser in T2DM patients with HbA1c <6.5% (11.253 ± 3.41 μmoL/L) as compared to T2DM patients with HbA1c ≥6.5% (13.568 ± 5.38 μmoL/L). It was inferred that poor glycemic control was significantly correlated with low serum folic acid and higher serum homocysteine level. Conclusion: Compared to healthy people, patients suffering have higher mean serum homocysteine concentrations and lower mean serum folic acid concentrations.