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Hyperhomocysteinemia in myelodysplastic syndromes: specific association with autoimmunity and cardiovascular disease

A Cortelezzi1, N S Fracchiolla, F Bamonti-Catena

  • 1Dipartimento di Ematologia, Ospedale Maggiore IRCCS and Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche; Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy. cortelez@polic.cilea.it

Leukemia & Lymphoma
|May 9, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Hyperhomocysteinemia (HH) is linked to cardiovascular events and autoimmune diseases in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) patients. This study found HH associated with oxidative stress, suggesting a role in MDS pathogenesis.

Area of Science:

  • Hematology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Hyperhomocysteinemia (HH) is implicated in cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disorders, and oxidative stress.
  • Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are characterized by autoimmunity and elevated oxidative stress.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between HH and oxidative stress in patients with MDS.
  • To determine if HH is linked to autoimmunity (AI) and cardiovascular events (CVE) in MDS.

Main Methods:

  • Measured plasma homocysteine and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in 33 MDS patients.
  • Assessed the prevalence of HH and its correlation with AI and CVE.
  • Compared MDS patients with AI/CVE to a control group.

Main Results:

  • HH was present in 42% of MDS patients.
  • HH was significantly associated with AI/CVE in MDS patients (p=0.0011).
  • Elevated MDA levels indicated increased oxidative stress.

Conclusions:

  • HH is significantly associated with AI/CVE in a subset of MDS patients.
  • Oxidative stress, indicated by MDA, is present in MDS.
  • HH may contribute to MDS, CVE, and AI pathogenesis via oxidative cell damage.

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