Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Screening Assays to Characterize Novel Endothelial Regulators Involved in the Inflammatory Response
12:50

Screening Assays to Characterize Novel Endothelial Regulators Involved in the Inflammatory Response

Published on: September 15, 2017

The effect of homocysteine reduction by B-vitamin supplementation on inflammatory markers

Anita C T M Peeters1, Benien E van Aken, Henk J Blom

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

Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine
|January 25, 2007
PubMed

Insights

High homocysteine levels are linked to vascular disease, but this study found no evidence of increased inflammation markers. Vitamin supplementation reduced homocysteine but did not affect inflammatory markers, suggesting vascular inflammation is not the primary mechanism.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Inflammation Research

Background:

  • Hyperhomocysteinemia is epidemiologically linked to vascular disease.
  • The underlying pathophysiology remains unclear, with a hypothesis suggesting homocysteine induces endothelial inflammation via cytokines.
  • This study investigated the relationship between homocysteine and specific inflammatory markers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if plasma concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), C-reactive protein (CRP), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) are elevated with higher homocysteine levels.
  • To assess if reducing homocysteine through vitamin supplementation impacts these inflammatory markers.

Main Methods:

  • Measured plasma homocysteine, IL-6, IL-8, CRP, and MCP-1 in 230 volunteers.
  • Administered multivitamin supplementation (folic acid, B6, B12) for 8 weeks.
  • Analyzed changes in these markers before and after supplementation.

Main Results:

  • Baseline homocysteine showed a weak association with IL-8 only, not IL-6, CRP, or MCP-1.
  • Vitamin supplementation significantly decreased homocysteine levels.
  • No significant changes were observed in IL-6, IL-8, CRP, or MCP-1 levels post-supplementation.

Conclusions:

  • Homocysteine levels were only weakly correlated with IL-8 at baseline.
  • Vitamin supplementation effectively lowered homocysteine but did not alter measured inflammatory markers.
  • The study does not support the hypothesis that hyperhomocysteinemia increases arteriosclerotic or thrombotic risk via vascular inflammation.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers01:19

Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers

Cardiac biomarkers are critical in diagnosing, prognosing, and managing cardiovascular diseases. Routine measurement of specific biomarkers such as B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), C-reactive protein (CRP), and homocysteine (Hcy) is common practice in clinical settings to evaluate heart function and predict cardiovascular events.
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy01:30

Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy

Various diagnostic tests are employed in the diagnostic process for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), particularly to differentiate between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the colonic...
Atherosclerosis III: Management01:26

Atherosclerosis III: Management

Management of atherosclerosis involves an integrated strategy encompassing pharmacological treatment, surgical interventions, lifestyle changes, and nutrition therapy to address the multifactorial nature of the disease.Pharmacological TherapyA cornerstone of atherosclerosis management is the use of pharmacological agents. Statins, such as atorvastatin, are pivotal in inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that catalyzes an initial step in cholesterol synthesis in the liver. This reduction in...
Vitamins01:30

Vitamins

Vitamins, derived from the Latin word for life, are essential organic substances required in small quantities for optimal growth and overall well-being. Unlike other organic nutrients, vitamins don't act as sources of energy or building materials but rather facilitate these nutrients' utilization by the body. Vitamins are predominantly coenzymes, assisting enzymes in specific chemical actions, like the oxidation of glucose for energy involving B vitamins. Most vitamins are not produced in our...
Sulfur Assimilation01:20

Sulfur Assimilation

Sulfur is an essential element in biological systems, contributing to synthesizing key biomolecules, including amino acids such as cysteine and methionine, and cofactors such as coenzyme A and biotin. Microorganisms primarily assimilate sulfur as sulfate (SO₄²⁻) from the environment, which must undergo a series of biochemical transformations before it can be incorporated into cellular components. As sulfate is highly oxidized, it must undergo assimilatory sulfate reduction to become...