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Anti-inflammatory strategies for homocysteine-related cardiovascular disease

Chih-Pei Lin1, Yung-Hsiang Chen, Hsin-Bang Leu

  • 1Faculty of Biotechnology and Laboratory Science in Medicine, Institute of Biotechnology in Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.

Frontiers in Bioscience (Landmark Edition)
|March 11, 2009
PubMed

Insights

High homocysteine levels contribute to atherosclerosis and vascular damage. While vitamin supplementation is suggested, evidence for reducing cardiovascular disease risk is limited, highlighting the need for further research.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Science
  • Vascular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Homocysteine is implicated in vascular damage and atherosclerosis.
  • Vitamin/folate supplementation is proposed to mitigate cardiovascular disease risk.
  • Current randomized trials lack definitive proof of homocysteine reduction's efficacy in lowering cardiovascular disease incidence.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review evidence on the homocysteine-cardiovascular disease association.
  • To discuss the relevance of screening, treatment, and prevention for hyperhomocysteinemia-related cardiovascular disease.
  • To explore potential therapeutic strategies targeting inflammation and oxidative stress.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing evidence.
  • Analysis of homocysteine's role in oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction.
  • Examination of previous findings on mononuclear cell activation and statin effects.

Main Results:

  • Homocysteine induces oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, lipid peroxidation, and inflammation, accelerating atherosclerosis.
  • Mononuclear cell activation plays a significant role in homocysteine-induced endothelial dysfunction.
  • Statins demonstrated novel endothelial protection by attenuating homocysteine-induced endothelial adhesiveness.

Conclusions:

  • Inflammation and oxidative stress are key mediators of homocysteine-induced vascular damage.
  • Targeting endothelial dysfunction and mononuclear cell activation with anti-inflammatory/antioxidative agents offers potential therapeutic strategies.
  • Further research is needed to clarify the clinical utility of homocysteine screening and intervention for cardiovascular disease prevention.

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