Is homocysteine toxic in uremia?
High levels of homocysteine have been implicated as a cardiovascular risk factor in the general population and in patients with chronic renal failure, and particularly patients on hemodialysis. To classify a risk factor as causally related to a certain disease, both strong epidemiologic data and sound basic-science studies establishing a mechanism are needed. Among the latter, the hypomethylation of proteins and DNA, and protein homocysteinylation, have been investigated in uremia, providing for an array of toxic effects in this disease.
Perna
Alessandra F
AF
First Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, and Cardiovascular Research Center, School of Medicine, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy. alessandra.perna@unina2.it
Luciano
Maria Grazia
MG
Pulzella
Paola
P
Satta
Ersilia
E
Capasso
Rosanna
R
Lombardi
Cinzia
C
Ingrosso
Diego
D
De Santo
Natale G
NG
D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000992:Antitoxins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D020138:Hyperhomocysteinemia / Q000150:complications*; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000453:epidemiology; D012008:Recurrence; D012016:Reference Values; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014511:Uremia / Q000139:chemically induced*
D000992:Antitoxins; D006710:Homocysteine; D005492:Folic Acid; D000111:Acetylcysteine