Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 6, 2026

The Antihypertensive Effects and Mechanisms of Huotan Jiedu Tongluo Decoction in Rats with H-Type Hypertension
05:57

The Antihypertensive Effects and Mechanisms of Huotan Jiedu Tongluo Decoction in Rats with H-Type Hypertension

Published on: May 17, 2024

Hyperhomocysteinemia and cardiovascular disease: new mechanisms beyond atherosclerosis

Jacob Joseph1, Lija Joseph

  • 1The Departments of Internal Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders
|March 29, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Hyperhomocysteinemia (Hhe) is strongly linked to coronary disease, with ongoing research exploring its molecular mechanisms. New findings suggest Hhe directly impacts cardiac remodeling and function, contributing to cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Science
  • Vascular Biology
  • Metabolic Disease Research

Background:

  • The link between hyperhomocysteinemia (Hhe) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been investigated for over 40 years.
  • While epidemiological studies suggest an association, robust mechanistic evidence has been limited.
  • Recent prospective studies highlight a significant correlation between Hhe and coronary artery disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and synthesize current understanding of pathogenic mechanisms linking Hhe to CVD.
  • To explore proposed molecular pathways involved in Hhe-induced vascular damage.
  • To investigate novel mechanisms, including direct effects on cardiac remodeling.

Main Methods:

  • Review of epidemiological and prospective studies on Hhe and CVD.
  • Analysis of research on molecular mechanisms in Hhe-associated vascular pathology.
  • Examination of recent findings on direct cardiac effects of Hhe.

Main Results:

  • Hhe is strongly associated with coronary artery disease.
  • Potential mechanisms include oxidative stress, hypomethylation, and protein homocysteinylation.
  • Novel evidence points to direct effects of Hhe on coronary arteriolar and myocardial remodeling, leading to cardiac dysfunction.

Conclusions:

  • Hhe is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease, particularly coronary disease.
  • Multiple molecular pathways contribute to Hhe-induced vascular and cardiac pathology.
  • Direct impact on cardiac remodeling represents a newly identified mechanism linking Hhe to CVD.

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...
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...
Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease01:27

Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a multidisciplinary field that examines how psychological factors, particularly stress, interact with the immune system and impact physical health. Research in PNI has shown that chronic or traumatic stress can disrupt both the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system. These disruptions contribute to serious health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases.
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology01:26

Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) originates from a series of events that impair the function of coronary arteries, the blood vessels responsible for delivering oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. The pathophysiology of CAD is closely linked to atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory and lipid-driven condition affecting the vascular endothelium.1. Endothelial DamageThe process begins with damage to the vascular endothelium, which serves as a protective barrier between the blood and the vessel...
Hypertension II: Pathophysiology01:29

Hypertension II: Pathophysiology

Hypertension is a chronic condition in which the blood's force against artery walls is excessively high, posing risks such as heart disease. The condition's underlying mechanisms involve complex interactions among the cardiovascular, kidney, and autonomic nervous systems.Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS): This system significantly influences blood pressure regulation. When blood pressure decreases, the kidneys secrete renin. This enzyme transforms angiotensinogen, a plasma protein,...
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...