Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 22, 2025

Combined Intravital Microscopy and Contrast-enhanced Ultrasonography of the Mouse Hindlimb to Study Insulin-induced Vasodilation and Muscle Perfusion
08:22

Combined Intravital Microscopy and Contrast-enhanced Ultrasonography of the Mouse Hindlimb to Study Insulin-induced Vasodilation and Muscle Perfusion

Published on: March 20, 2017

9.0K

Homocysteine and diabetes: Role in macrovascular and microvascular complications

Emir Muzurović1, Ivana Kraljević2, Mirsala Solak2

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology Section, Clinical Centre of Montenegro, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montenegro, Ljubljanska bb, 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro.

Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications
|January 9, 2021
PubMed

Insights

High homocysteine (Hcy) levels are linked to diabetes complications, but its exact role and the effectiveness of Hcy-lowering therapies for cardiovascular disease risk reduction in diabetic patients remain unclear.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Nephrology

Background:

  • Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with macro- and microvascular complications.
  • Elevated homocysteine (Hcy) is implicated in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), but its specific role in diabetic vascular complications is debated.
  • Contradictory study results and diverse methodologies hinder definitive conclusions regarding Hcy's impact on diabetic complications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of homocysteine's role in the vascular complications of diabetes mellitus.
  • To evaluate the impact of hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) on diabetic kidney disease (DKD) development.
  • To assess the efficacy of Hcy-lowering therapies in reducing cardiovascular risk in diabetic patients.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review synthesizing findings from diverse studies on homocysteine, diabetes, and vascular complications.
  • Analysis of factors influencing homocysteine levels, including impaired renal function.
  • Examination of clinical trial data on Hcy-lowering therapies and their cardiovascular outcomes.

Main Results:

  • The precise role of Hcy in diabetic vascular complications requires further investigation due to inconsistent study findings.
  • Impaired renal function is a significant predictor of high total homocysteine (tHcy) levels.
  • Hcy-lowering therapies effectively reduce Hcy levels, but their impact on cardiovascular disease risk reduction in diabetic populations is conflicting.

Conclusions:

  • Further research is essential to clarify the role of homocysteine in diabetic vascular complications, particularly diabetic kidney disease.
  • The effectiveness of Hcy-lowering interventions in mitigating cardiovascular risk in patients with diabetes mellitus needs additional investigation.

Keywords:
Cardiovascular diseaseDiabetes mellitusHomocysteineMacrovascular complicationsMicrovascular complications

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: A Pharmacodissection Approach to Uncover Mechanisms in Cardiovascular Disease Risk Populations08:21

Author Spotlight: A Pharmacodissection Approach to Uncover Mechanisms in Cardiovascular Disease Risk Populations

Published on: July 21, 2023

1.7K
Laser Doppler: A Tool for Measuring Pancreatic Islet Microvascular Vasomotion In Vivo10:39

Laser Doppler: A Tool for Measuring Pancreatic Islet Microvascular Vasomotion In Vivo

Published on: March 8, 2018

8.5K

Related Concept Videos

Pathophysiology of Diabetes01:20

Pathophysiology of Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia. The four categories of diabetes are type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, other specific types of diabetes, and gestational diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility,...
2.5K
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...
672
Diabetes: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Complications01:15

Diabetes: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Complications

For most patients, experiencing several weeks of polyuria, polydipsia, fatigue, and significant weight loss may indicate the presence of diabetes. Furthermore, adults displaying the phenotypic appearance of type 2 diabetes (particularly those who are obese and not initially insulin-requiring), may have islet cell autoantibodies, suggesting autoimmune-mediated β cell destruction and a diagnosis of latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA). The categorization of glucose homeostasis is...
1.6K
Diabetes Mellitus: Overview and Type I Subtype01:22

Diabetes Mellitus: Overview and Type I Subtype

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by high blood glucose levels due to inadequate insulin production, insulin resistance, or both. The condition affects millions worldwide and can significantly impact their health and quality of life.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the body is unable to produce sufficient insulin, and individuals with...
4.3K
Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers01:19

Blood 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...
346
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational01:22

Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational

Type 2 diabetes, characterized by insulin resistance, arises when the insulin receptors on cells lose responsiveness to insulin, diminishing the cell's capacity to take up glucose, resulting in elevated blood glucose levels. To receive a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, a series of blood glucose tests are necessary to assess whether the blood glucose falls within normal parameters. If the result is out of the normal range, a patient may be diagnosed as prediabetic or diabetic, depending on the...
3.9K