Abstract: ObjectiveTo investigate the association between homocysteine and cerebral infarction, as well as between different subtypes of cerebral infarction.Methods105 cases with cerebral infarction were divided into two subgroups, according to TOAST criteria, large-artery disease and small-artery disease.In addition,50 normal persons were selected as control group.Fasting blood samples were drawn from antecubital vein for measurement of plasma total homocysteine,glucose and lipids.Enzyme conversion immunoassay was applied to detect plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) levels.ResultsThe mean tHcy of cerebral infarction, which was (24.85±24.56) μmol/L, was significantly higher than that of control group, which was (16.18±6.97) μmol/L(P<0.05).There was a significant difference of homocysteine between large-artery disease,which was (30.46±31.16) μmol/L, and small-artery disease,which was (18.43±10.73) μmol/L,or the control group(P<0.05),but there was no significant difference between small-artery disease and the control group. ConclusionThe mean tHcy significantly elevated in large-artery disease,which indicated that elevated plasma homocysteine levels is an independent risk factor for atherosclerotic vascular disease.

Key words: homocysteine, cerebral infaction, atherosclerosis, vascular disease