Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026
09:37
A Phenotyping Regimen for Genetically Modified Mice Used to Study Genes Implicated in Human Diseases of Aging
Published on: July 14, 2016
Hyperhomocysteinaemia in Behçet's Disease.
Amira Hamzaoui1, Olfa Harzallah, Rim Klii
1Department of Internal Medicine, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, 5000 Monastir, Tunisia.
Biochemistry Research International
|December 29, 2010
Summary
Hyperhomocysteinemia, a condition of high homocysteine levels, is elevated in Behçet's disease (BD) patients and correlates with disease activity. This finding suggests a potential role for homocysteine in BD pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Behçet's disease (BD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology.
- Hyperhomocysteinemia has been implicated in various inflammatory and vascular conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between plasma total homocysteine levels and the pathogenesis and activity of Behçet's disease.
- To determine if hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor for BD.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 54 BD patients and 50 healthy controls.
- Exclusion of participants with conditions affecting homocysteine levels.
- Measurement of serum homocysteine concentrations in all participants.
Main Results:
- Mean serum homocysteine levels were significantly higher in BD patients compared to healthy controls (P < .001).
- Elevated homocysteine levels were observed in patients with active BD (P = .04) and in males (P = .05).
- No significant correlation was found between homocysteine levels and specific clinical manifestations of BD.
Conclusions:
- Plasma total homocysteine levels are increased in patients with Behçet's disease.
- Elevated homocysteine is correlated with BD disease activity.
- Homocysteine levels do not appear to be associated with specific clinical involvement in BD.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Amebiasis
Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite, is responsible for intestinal and extraintestinal amebiasis. Though a significant proportion of infections remain asymptomatic, approximately 50 million individuals annually are estimated to present with clinical disease, resulting in up to 100,000 deaths globally. The disease burden is disproportionately high in regions with lower socioeconomic status, such as parts of India, Africa, Mexico, and Latin America.Etiology and TransmissionThe infective...
01:19Blood 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...
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
01:26Gastritis II: Pathophysiology
The pathophysiology of gastritis begins with the colonization of the stomach lining by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). This bacterium spreads mainly via the oral-oral route through saliva or shared utensils, and can also be transmitted in overcrowded or unhygienic environments through contaminated water, despite its brief survival outside the body.ColonizationOnce ingested, H. pylori enters the stomach and begins colonization by navigating through the mucus layer lining the stomach wall. It...
01:17Gastritis-II: Pathophysiology
Gastritis is marked by disruption of the mucosal barrier that usually protects the stomach tissue from digestive juices and manifests in acute and chronic forms.
In acute gastritis, the gastric mucosa becomes swollen and red and undergoes superficial erosion. Superficial ulceration may lead to bleeding.
In chronic gastritis, persistent or repeated insults lead to chronic inflammatory changes and, eventually, thinning or atrophy of the gastric tissue.
Gastritis can stem from various causes, each...
In acute gastritis, the gastric mucosa becomes swollen and red and undergoes superficial erosion. Superficial ulceration may lead to bleeding.
In chronic gastritis, persistent or repeated insults lead to chronic inflammatory changes and, eventually, thinning or atrophy of the gastric tissue.
Gastritis can stem from various causes, each...
01:22Portal Hypertension
Portal hypertension is an increase in blood pressure within the portal venous system. Normally, this pressure is less than 5 mmHg. It is considered clinically significant when it rises above 10 mmHg. At this threshold, complications from altered blood flow and venous congestion emerge.EtiologyPortal hypertension arises from conditions that impede blood flow through the liver. The most common cause is cirrhosis, in which chronic liver injury leads to fibrotic scarring. This fibrosis narrows or...
01:25Jaundice
Jaundice, or icterus, is the yellow discoloration of the skin, sclerae, and mucous membranes. It happens when plasma bilirubin levels rise above 2.5-3 mg/dL, leading to bilirubin deposition in tissue.Bilirubin is a byproduct of hemoglobin degradation. In macrophages, hemoglobin breaks down into globin and heme. Globin is converted into amino acids, while heme is turned into biliverdin by heme oxygenase, which is then reduced to unconjugated bilirubin by biliverdin reductase.Unconjugated...