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Hyperhomocysteinemia: Underlying Links to Stroke and Hydrocephalus, with a Focus on Polyphenol-Based Therapeutic
Carmen Ortiz-Salguero1, Marina Romero-Bernal1, Ángela González-Díaz1
1Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, IBiS, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, CSIC, Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Sevilla, Spain.
Insights
Elevated homocysteine (HHcy) increases neurovascular disease risk by causing oxidative stress and inflammation. Polyphenols may offer neuroprotection by reducing HHcy levels and mitigating its damaging effects.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy), marked by high homocysteine (HCys) levels, is linked to neurovascular diseases like stroke.
- HHcy contributes to oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and endothelial dysfunction, impairing the blood-brain barrier and promoting neurodegeneration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review HHcy's role in neurovascular pathologies.
- To examine the therapeutic potential of polyphenols in managing HHcy and preventing associated neurovascular damage.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on HHcy, neurovascular diseases, and polyphenol effects.
- Analysis of studies investigating polyphenol mechanisms in modulating oxidative stress, inflammation, and HCys metabolism.
Main Results:
- Polyphenols exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties beneficial in HHcy contexts.
- Polyphenols may enhance enzymatic activity involved in HCys metabolism, reducing neurotoxicity.
- Diets rich in polyphenols, such as the Mediterranean diet, correlate with lower HHcy levels and reduced neurovascular disease incidence.
Conclusions:
- HHcy is a significant risk factor and potential therapeutic target for neurovascular disorders.
- Polyphenols show promise as a dietary or therapeutic strategy to counteract HHcy-induced neurovascular damage.
Abstract:
Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy), characterized by elevated homocysteine (HCys) levels, is associated with increased risks of neurovascular diseases such as stroke or hydrocephalus. HHcy promotes oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and endothelial dysfunction, disrupting the blood-brain barrier and accelerating neurodegeneration. These processes highlight HCys as both a biomarker and a potential therapeutic target in vascular-related neurological disorders. Current research suggests that polyphenols, known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, may reduce HCys levels and offer neuroprotection. Polyphenols have demonstrated effectiveness in modulating oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways triggered by HHcy. These compounds may also upregulate enzymatic functions involved in HCys metabolism, thus reducing neurotoxicity. Furthermore, polyphenol-rich diets, like the Mediterranean diet, have been linked to lower HCys levels and a reduced incidence of neurovascular disorders. This review provides an overview of HHcy's role in neurovascular pathologies and examines the therapeutic potential of polyphenols in managing HCys levels and preventing HCys-induced neurovascular damage.
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