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Elevated homocysteine in human abdominal aortic aneurysmal tissues.
Crystal Yin Tung Chan1, Stephen Wing Keung Cheng1
1Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Hong Kong Medical Centre, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
Vascular Medicine (London, England)
|July 16, 2017
Summary
Homocysteine (Hcy) is elevated in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) tissues. This study found higher Hcy expression in AAA tissues and vascular smooth muscle cells, independent of MTHFR C677T polymorphism.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Biology
- Biochemistry
- Genetics
Background:
- Elevated homocysteine (Hcy) levels are linked to abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).
- Hcy expression within human AAA tissues remains under-investigated.
- Understanding Hcy's role in AAA pathogenesis is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate Hcy expression in human AAA tissues.
- To determine the association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and AAA.
- To examine Hcy expression and release by vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in AAA.
Main Methods:
- Dot blotting and immunohistochemistry to assess Hcy in AAA and control tissues (n=30 vs n=31).
- Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism for MTHFR C677T genotyping.
- Explant culture of human aortic VSMCs to evaluate Hcy expression and release.
Main Results:
- Significantly higher Hcy expression was detected in AAA tissues compared to controls (p<0.001).
- MTHFR C677T polymorphism showed no significant association with AAA or tissue Hcy levels.
- AAA-derived VSMCs exhibited significantly higher Hcy expression and release than controls (p<0.001).
Conclusions:
- Hcy expression is significantly elevated in human AAA tissues.
- This elevated Hcy expression in AAA may not be influenced by MTHFR C677T polymorphism.
- AAA VSMCs contribute to increased Hcy levels, suggesting a potential role in AAA development.
Keywords:
abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)geneticshomocysteinemethylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphismvascular smooth muscle cellsMore Related Videos
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