title: [Homocysteine and cardiovascular risk].
abstract: Homocystinuria is an uncommon genetic disease characterized by a marked increase of serum homocysteine (HCY), an intermediate of methionine metabolism. In patients with homocystinuria, hyperhomocysteinemia promotes the development of atherosclerotic lesions and is responsible for premature coronary artery disease. Recently, several studies have also demonstrated that moderate hyperhomocysteinemia--not necessarily linked to an inborn metabolic defect--may also be considered as an independant risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The main mechanisms of HCY atherogenic action are thought to be LDL oxydation, inhibition of vascular endothelium growth combined with stimulation of smooth muscular cells proliferation, and interference with the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems. Cofactors of key enzymes in HCY metabolism, folic acid, vitamin B12 and vitamin B6, may be given, alone or in combination, for the treatment of hyperhomocysteinemia. Homocysteinemia can be assessed by basal plasma HCY concentration and/or by HCY levels measured after a methionine loading test. Mainly measured till now in specialized laboratories using rather complex techniques (HPLC, GCMS, amino acid analyser ...), HCY determination is today spreading widely owing to the development of automated immunoassays.
authors.affiliation: Service de Chimie médicale, Université de Liège.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lutteri
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Chapelle
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gielen
mesh_terms: D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000209:etiology*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006712:Homocystinuria / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D020138:Hyperhomocysteinemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011736:Pyridoxine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012307:Risk Factors; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D005492:Folic Acid; D011736:Pyridoxine; D014805:Vitamin B 12
vernacular_title: Homocystéine et risque cardio-vasculaire.