Related Experiment Videos
Assessment of homocysteine status
H Refsum1, T Fiskerstrand, A B Guttormsen
1Department of Pharmacology, University of Bergen, Norway.
Insights
Accurate plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) measurement is crucial for diagnosing certain conditions and assessing cardiovascular risk. This review details sample handling, analysis principles, and factors influencing tHcy levels to improve diagnostic reliability.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- Plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) is a biomarker used in diagnosing homocystinuria, cobalamin/folate deficiencies, and cardiovascular risk.
- Accurate tHcy determination is complicated by numerous analytical and biological pitfalls.
- Reliable assessment of homocysteine status requires understanding these complexities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide essential knowledge for the rational application of plasma tHcy measurements.
- To guide diagnostic and scientific use of tHcy determination.
- To address common challenges in homocysteine analysis.
Main Methods:
- Review of established procedures for plasma sample handling and processing.
- Explanation of the fundamental principles underlying tHcy analytical methods.
- Discussion of genetic and acquired factors influencing plasma tHcy concentrations.
Main Results:
- Identified critical steps in sample collection and preparation that impact tHcy stability and accuracy.
- Outlined key analytical methodologies for tHcy quantification, highlighting potential sources of error.
- Detailed the significant impact of genetic variations and acquired conditions on inter-individual tHcy levels.
Conclusions:
- Standardized protocols for sample handling and analysis are vital for reliable tHcy results.
- Awareness of pre-analytical and analytical variables is essential for accurate homocysteine status assessment.
- Understanding determinants of tHcy concentration improves clinical interpretation and diagnostic utility.
Abstract:
Plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) determination is used in the diagnosis of homocystinuria, in cobalamin and folate deficiency and in cardiovascular risk assessment. However, determination of tHcy includes many pitfalls which complicate the assessment of homocysteine status. In the present article, we review basic knowledge for a rational use of plasma tHcy in diagnostic as well as scientific work. The subjects dealt with are procedures for sample handling and processing, the principles of tHcy analyses, and genetic and acquired determinants of the plasma tHcy concentration.