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Homocysteine and heart failure: an overview
Enrico Vizzardi1, Ivano Bonadei, Gregoriana Zanini
1Department of Cardiology, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy. enrico.vizzardi@tin.it
Recent Patents on Cardiovascular Drug Discovery
|January 20, 2009
Summary
Elevated homocysteine (HCY) is linked to vascular disease and may cause congestive heart failure (CHF). Lowering HCY with B-vitamins might improve CHF outcomes, warranting further research.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Biochemistry
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Elevated plasma homocysteine (HCY) is a known risk factor for thrombotic and atherosclerotic vascular disease.
- Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHCY) is independently associated with increased vascular disease risk.
- HCY elevation is also a risk factor for congestive heart failure (CHF) in individuals without prior myocardial infarction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of hyperhomocysteinemia (HHCY) as a potential etiological factor in congestive heart failure (CHF).
- To explore the mechanisms by which elevated HCY may lead to cardiac dysfunction and remodeling.
- To assess the potential of HCY-lowering therapy for improving CHF markers and outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing studies and patents linking HCY to vascular disease and CHF.
- Analysis of animal studies demonstrating HHCY-induced cardiac dysfunction and remodeling.
- Consideration of preliminary intervention trial data on HCY-lowering therapy.
Main Results:
- Experimental HHCY in animals induces systolic and diastolic dysfunction and increases BNP expression.
- Hyperhomocysteinemic animals show adverse cardiac remodeling with increased collagen.
- Preliminary data suggest HCY-lowering therapy may improve clinical and laboratory markers of CHF.
Conclusions:
- Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHCY) may be a potential etiological factor in congestive heart failure (CHF).
- Further research is needed to elucidate the precise pathomechanisms of HHCY in CHF.
- Larger intervention trials are required to determine if B-vitamin supplementation improves clinical outcomes in CHF patients.
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