Background: The low circulating levels of homocysteine observed in a South African black population have been associated with a low occurrence of coronary heart disease.
Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether the observation of reduced homocysteine levels in South African black subjects is valid in a black population living in West Africa.
Methods: Plasma homocysteine and cysteine levels were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography in 171 healthy black adults of different tribal groups and 28 healthy black Mossi children, all living in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The same determination were made in 67 healthy white adults and 25 healthy white children living in Ouagadougou. The black subjects habitually consumed a diet of millet flour with vegetable sauce, whereas the white subjects consumed a Mediterranean-type diet consisting of pasta and tomato sauce, providing adequate amounts of calories and vitamins.
Results: Plasma homocysteine levels were lower in the black adults and children, particularly the females, than in the white subjects. However, no difference between males and females was observed in either white adults or children.
Conclusions: These results showed that the previously observed difference in homocysteine metabolism in black South Africans also exists in the black population of Burkina Faso, particularly in females of all ages. This difference between black and white people living in the same area could be due to genetic and environmental factors, even if the role of diet cannot be excluded. The lower plasma homocysteine levels in black people may play a protective role against coronary artery disease by reducing endothelial damage.

homocysteine, cysteine, Burkina Faso, cardiovascular risk, diet, ethnic differences