Hyperhomocysteinemia in patients with cardiovascular disease
Journal Title: Advances in Hygiene and Experimental Medicine - Year 2014, Vol 68, Issue
Abstract
Homocysteine (Hcy) is an endogenous, non-structural protein, a sulfur-containing amino acid emerging on the pathway of methionine and cysteine, actively involved in numerous biochemical reactions. Total concentration of homocysteine in plasma of healthy humans is low and its level is between 5.0 and 15.0 mmol/l, assessed with the use of HPLC, or 5.0–12.0 mmol/l, using immunoassay methods. Higher concentration of this amino acid in blood is called hyperhomocysteinemia. Hyperhomocysteinemia is significantly correlated with cardiovascular disease and its complications: heart attacks and strokes. It is believed that hyperhomocysteinemia damages endothelial cells, reduces the flexibility of vessels, and adversely affects the process of hemostasis. In addition, hyperhomocysteinemia enhances the adverse effects of risk factors such as hypertension, smoking, and impaired glucose, lipid and lipoprotein metabolism, as well as promoting the development of inflammation. The concentration of homocysteine can be effectively lowered by supplementation with folic acid and vitamins B12 and B6. However, intervention studies conducted in the past decade did not confirm the clinical benefit of vitamin therapy lowering the level of homocysteine in blood of patients with cardiovascular disease. Moreover, there is not clear evidence from genetic studies that the presence of the gene for MTFHR polymorphism 677C>T, which is one of the most common causes of hyperhomocysteinemia, is also associated with the development of cardiovascular disease. These results led the researchers to discuss the role of homocysteine in the development and treatment of cardiovascular disease as well as the need for further research on this issue.
Authors and Affiliations
Aleksandra Baszczuk, Zygmunt Kopczyński
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP67374
- DOI -
- Views 140
- Downloads 0
Ocena szybkości syntezy dopaminy (DA) w wybranych częściach mózgu szczurów z lezją ośrodkowego układu noradrenergicznego po podaniu ligandów receptora 5-HT3
Mechanizm aktywacji fosfolipazy Cγ1
Fosfolipaza C jest enzymem, który katalizuje reakcję hydrolizy fosfatydyloinozytolo-4,5-bisfosforanu (PI(4,5)P2) z wytworzeniem dwóch wtórnych przekaźników sygnału: 1,4,5-trifosforanu inozytolu (Ins(1,4,5)P3) oraz diacy...
Ocena poczucia sensu życia pacjentów z mukowiscydozą z uwzględnieniem stopnia zaawansowania choroby i metod leczenia
Wstęp: Mukowiscydoza jest związana z ograniczeniami natury obiektywnej, jak i trudnościami odczuwanymi indywidualnie. Celem badań była ocena i porównanie poczucia sensu życia u pacjentów z mukowiscydozą, z uwzględnieniem...
Kardiotoksyczność jako niepożądane działanie w terapii raka piersi
Udoskonalenie metod stosowanych w terapii raka piersi podniosło skuteczność leczenia oraz wydłużyło czas przeżycia pacjentów po zakończeniu terapii. Towarzyszy jednak temu wzrost częstotliwości występowania działań niepo...
The effects of bacteriophages on the expression of genes involved in antimicrobial immunity
Introduction: Bacteriophages (viruses of bacteria) are used in the treatment of antibiotic‑resistant infections. Moreover, they are an important component of the mucosal microbiota. The objective of this study was to inv...