title: Hyperhomocysteinemia and Endothelial Dysfunction.
abstract: Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is a significant and independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Endothelial dysfunction (ED) is the earliest indicator of atherosclerosis and vascular diseases. We and others have shown that HHcy induced ED in human and in animal models of HHcy induced by either high-methionine load or genetic deficiency. Six mechanisms have been suggested explaining HHcy-induced ED. These include 1) nitric oxide inhibition, 2) prostanoids regulation, 3) endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factors suppression, 4) angiotensin II receptor-1 activation, 5) endothelin-1 induction, and 6) oxidative stress. The goal of this review is to elaborate these mechanisms and to discuss biological and molecular events related to HHcy-induced ED.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Zhongjian
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Xiaofeng
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang