Related Experiment Videos
Plasma homocysteine and methionine tolerance in early-onset vascular disease
L Brattström1, B Israelsson, B Hultberg
1Department of Neurology, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
Insights
Early-onset vascular disease may stem from impaired homocysteine metabolism. Elevated homocysteine levels, potentially linked to cystathionine beta-synthase deficiency, were observed in patients with arteriosclerosis and thrombosis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Metabolic Disorders
- Genetics
Background:
- Early-onset vascular diseases like arteriosclerosis and thrombosis pose significant health challenges.
- Impaired homocysteine metabolism is a potential contributing factor to vascular disease development.
- Understanding the genetic and metabolic underpinnings is crucial for early diagnosis and intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between early-onset vascular disease and impaired homocysteine metabolism.
- To determine if elevated homocysteine levels correlate with specific vascular conditions.
- To explore the influence of nutrient status (vitamin B12, folate) on homocysteine levels.
Main Methods:
- Three studies were conducted involving patients with occlusive vascular disease before age 60.
- Plasma homocysteine levels were measured after a methionine load.
- Serum vitamin B12 and red cell folate concentrations were assessed.
Main Results:
- Elevated post-methionine load plasma homocysteine was found in 5% of myocardial infarction patients, 38% of aorto-iliac disease patients, and 32% of cerebrovascular disease patients.
- These findings suggest possible heterozygosity for homocystinuria due to cystathionine beta-synthase deficiency.
- Fasting plasma homocysteine levels were modulated by serum vitamin B12 and red cell folate concentrations.
Conclusions:
- Impaired homocysteine metabolism is associated with early-onset vascular disease.
- Elevated homocysteine may contribute to arteriosclerosis and thrombosis.
- Nutritional status significantly impacts homocysteine levels, highlighting the importance of vitamin B12 and folate.
Abstract:
In three different studies we tested the hypothesis that early-onset vascular disease is associated with impaired homocysteine metabolism which could contribute to the development of arteriosclerosis and thrombosis. In patients with occlusive vascular disease before the age of 60, a post-methionine load increase of plasma homocysteine exceeding the highest value for comparable healthy control subjects was found in 1 of 21 with myocardial infarction (5%), 14 of 37 with aorto-iliac disease (38%), and 17 of 53 with cerebrovascular disease (32%). This might indicate heterozygosity for homocystinuria due to cystathionine beta-synthase deficiency. Concentrations of serum vitamin B12 and red cell folate had an important modulating effect on plasma homocysteine concentrations in the fasting state.