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Rapid Quantification of Oxidized and Reduced Forms of Glutathione Using Ortho -phthalaldehyde in Cultured Mammalian Cells In Vitro
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Rapid Quantification of Oxidized and Reduced Forms of Glutathione Using Ortho -phthalaldehyde in Cultured Mammalian Cells In Vitro

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Homocysteine and glutathione peroxidase-1

Edith Lubos1, Joseph Loscalzo, Diane E Handy

  • 1Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.

Antioxidants & Redox Signaling
|September 8, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Mildly elevated homocysteine (Hcy) increases cardiovascular disease risk by reducing nitric oxide (NO) availability. Glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPx-1) plays a key role in mitigating these harmful effects.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cardiovascular Science
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Mildly elevated homocysteine (Hcy) is linked to atherothrombotic vascular disease.
  • Hcy reduces nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability, increasing vascular oxidant stress.
  • Glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPx-1) is a key antioxidant enzyme potentially affected by Hcy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the molecular mechanisms of Hcy-induced endothelial dysfunction.
  • To explore the role of GPx-1 in hyperhomocysteinemia and cardiovascular disease (CVD).
  • To summarize current knowledge on Hcy metabolism and its effects.

Main Methods:

  • Review of in vitro and in vivo experimental studies.
  • Analysis of clinical studies on plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) and GPx-1.
  • Synthesis of data on Hcy metabolism and endothelial function.

Main Results:

  • Hcy increases vascular oxidant stress and inhibits antioxidant capacity.
  • Hcy may decrease GPx-1 expression, contributing to endothelial dysfunction.
  • GPx-1 overexpression may offer a compensatory protective effect.

Conclusions:

  • Hcy-induced endothelial dysfunction involves complex interactions with GPx-1.
  • Understanding the Hcy-GPx-1 relationship is crucial for CVD pathogenesis.
  • Targeting GPx-1 may offer therapeutic strategies for Hcy-related vascular issues.

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