Open AccessHomocysteine: Chemistry, metabolism and roles in pathophysiology processes
Author(s) -
Darko Mirković,
Nada Majkić-Singh,
Svetlana Ignjatović
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
jugoslovenska medicinska biohemija
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1452-8193
pISSN - 0354-3447
DOI - 10.2298/jmh0302127m
Subject(s) - homocysteine , methionine , medicine , folic acid , pathophysiology , methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase , risk factor , vascular disease , cysteine , thrombus , coronary artery disease , cardiology , endocrinology , chemistry , biochemistry , amino acid , enzyme , genotype , gene
In 1962, 30 years after chemical structure discovery of homocysteine, Carson and Neil reported work in which they described cases of two young people with severe mental retardation and high homocysteinuria. In 1975 McCully emphasized the association between homocysteinuria and thrombus-occlusive vascular changes. Period 1991-98, is the time of very extensive comparative studies, with aim of establishing links between premature coronary artery disease and high homocysteine level in plasma. These results in a whole show that biochemical findings of a mild increase of homocysteine plasma levels in span of 15-45 mmol/L, are independent risk factor for premature coronary artery disease appearance. So far mechanism of direct homociysteine uninfluenced on endothelial vascular vessels cells, or influence of any other factor, which play role in methionine-homocysteine-cysteine path (vitamins B6, B12, folic acid) are not strictly elucidated.