Recent data are not in conflict with homocysteine as a cardiovascular risk factor

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Cell-free Biochemical Fluorometric Enzymatic Assay for High-throughput Measurement of Lipid Peroxidation in High Density Lipoprotein
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Cell-free Biochemical Fluorometric Enzymatic Assay for High-throughput Measurement of Lipid Peroxidation in High Density Lipoprotein

Published on: October 12, 2017

H Refsum1, P M Ueland

  • 1Department of Pharmacology, University of Bergen, Norway. helga.refsum@farm.uib.no

Current Opinion in Lipidology
|December 30, 1998
PubMed

Insights

High plasma total homocysteine is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease, especially in high-risk groups. Its association with cardiovascular risk is weaker in healthy individuals, suggesting it exacerbates underlying predispositions.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Science
  • Genetics
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Elevated plasma total homocysteine is a recognized risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD).
  • It interacts significantly with established CVD risk factors.
  • The MTHFR gene polymorphism is a key determinant of homocysteine levels but shows weak links to CVD risk.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the role of plasma total homocysteine as a cardiovascular disease risk factor.
  • To investigate the relationship between homocysteine levels, MTHFR gene polymorphism, and cardiovascular outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of plasma total homocysteine levels.
  • Assessment of MTHFR gene polymorphism.
  • Correlation with cardiovascular disease events and risk factors.

Main Results:

  • Elevated homocysteine is an independent, graded risk factor for CVD, particularly in high-risk populations.
  • The association is weaker in healthy individuals.
  • MTHFR polymorphism influences homocysteine levels but is generally not directly linked to CVD risk.

Conclusions:

  • High homocysteine may not be directly harmful but can provoke vascular events in susceptible individuals.
  • Understanding homocysteine's role in conjunction with other risk factors is crucial for CVD prevention.

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