Homocysteine and Cardiovascular Disease

Homocysteine is a sulphur-containing aınino acid formed during the ınetabolisın of ınethionine . It is ınetabolised by reınethy lation or transsulphuration. Fasting normal ranges are 5- ı 5 ııınoi/L in the general population. Plasma hoınoc yste ine ı eve l s are strongly influenced by diet, as well as genetic factors. It is suggested that atherogenic propensity associated with h yperhoınocysteineın i a results from endothelial dysfunction and injury. Although there is considerable epideın i ologica l evidence for a relation between plasına hoınocyste ine and cardiovascular disease, not all prospective studies have supported such a relationship. Moreover, despite the potential for reducing hoınocysteine levels with increased intake of folic acid, it is not known whether reduction of plasına hoınocyste ine by diet and/or vitamin therapy wi ll reduce cardiovascular disease risk. Hoınocysteine leveıs of mo re than ı 5 ıım oi/L ınay be ınanaged with 400 ııg folate with or without other B vitamins.