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Published on: June 15, 2011

Low fasting methionine concentration as a novel risk factor for recurrent venous thrombosis

Miranda B A J Keijzer1, Martin den Heijer, George F Borm

  • 1Department of Endocrinology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

Thrombosis and Haemostasis
|September 28, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Low methionine levels significantly increase the risk of recurrent venous thrombosis. This finding suggests impaired methylation, not just homocysteine, may drive clot formation.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Hematology
  • Thrombosis Research

Background:

  • Hyperhomocysteinemia is a known risk factor for venous thrombosis, but its precise mechanism remains elusive.
  • Investigating the roles of methionine and cysteine in thrombosis is crucial for understanding homocysteine's impact.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between fasting levels of methionine, homocysteine, and cysteine and the risk of recurrent venous thrombosis.
  • To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of thrombosis by examining the role of methylation pathways.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study was conducted involving 185 patients with recurrent venous thrombosis and 500 control subjects.
  • Fasting levels of methionine, homocysteine, and cysteine were measured.
  • Statistical analyses, including odds ratios and confidence intervals, were used to assess thrombotic risk.

Main Results:

  • Low fasting methionine was significantly associated with an increased risk of recurrent venous thrombosis (OR=3.3).
  • This association persisted after adjusting for homocysteine and cysteine (OR=3.5), while the risk associated with homocysteine diminished (OR=1.0).
  • Elevated cysteine also showed a moderate association with increased risk (OR=2.1).

Conclusions:

  • Low fasting methionine is an independent risk factor for recurrent venous thrombosis.
  • The findings support the hypothesis that impaired methylation, indicated by low methionine, plays a key role in the pathogenesis of venous thrombosis.
  • Methionine's association with thrombosis risk is stronger than that of homocysteine or cysteine.

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