Homocysteine and homocysteine-related compounds: an overview of the roles in the pathology of the cardiovascular and nervous systems.

HOMOCYSTEINE AND HOMOCYSTEINE-RELATED COMPOUNDS: AN OVERVIEW OF THE ROLES IN THE PATHOLOGY OF THE CARDIOVASCULAR AND NERVOUS SYSTEMS. Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 2018 Aug 21;: Authors: Djuric D, Jakovljevic V, Zivkovic VI, Srejovic IM Abstract Homocysteine, sulfhydryl group containing amino acid, is intermediate product during metabolism of the amino acids methionine and cysteine. Hyperhomocysteinema (HHcy) is used as a predictive risk factor for cardiovascular disorders, the stroke progression, screening for inborn errors of Met metabolism, and as a supplementary test for vitamin B12 deficiency. Two organic systems in which homocysteine (Hcy) has the most harmful effects are the cardiovascular and nervous system. The adverse effects of Hcy are achieved by the action of several different mechanisms, such as overactivation of NMDA receptors, activation of TLR-4, disturbance in Ca2+ handling, increased activity of NADPH oxidase and subsequent increase of production of reactive oxygen species, increased activity of NOS and NOS uncoupling and consequent impairment in NO and ROS synthesis. Increased production of reactive species during HHcy are related with increased expression of several proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, MCP-1, and intracellular adhesion molecule-1. All these mechanisms contribute to the emergence of diseases like atherosclerosis and related complications such as myocardial infarction, stroke, aort...
Source: Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Tags: Can J Physiol Pharmacol Source Type: research