HOMOCYSTEINE - RELATIONS WITH ISCHEMIC VA SCULAR DISEASES

Homocysteine, a sulfur-containing amino acid, is an intermediate metab olite of methionine. Patients with homocystimuria and severe hyperhomo cysteinemia develop premature arteriosclerosis and arterial thrombotic events, and venous thromboembolism. Studies suggest that moderate hyp erhomocysteinemia,mia can be considered as an independent risk factor in the development of premature cardiovascular disease. In vitro, homo cysteine has toxic effects on endothelial cells. Homocysteine can prom ote lipid peroxidation and damage vascular endothelial cells. Moreover , homocysteine interferes with the natural anticoagulant system and th e fibrinolytic system. Homocysteinemia should be known in patients wit h premature vascular diseases especially in subjets with no risk facto rs. Folic acid, vitamin B6 can lower homocysteine levels.