Talk:Homocysteine

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Contents

[edit] Vitamin B

[edit] not helpful

Waster (talk · contribs) inserted the news item that taking B vitamins was not helpful. This has not been published yet - it was an abstract at the European Society of Cardiology, presented on 5/9/2005 by Bonaa KH et al [1] [2]. I think we should scan the literature in a few months to see which large journal will be publishing this finding. JFW | T@lk 16:58, 6 September 2005 (UTC)

[edit] absorption and supplementation

This is incomprehensible:

As B12 is inefficiently absorbed from food by elderly persons they could gain a greater benefit from taking vitamin supplements.

Greater than from what? Which of the mentioned vitamins? --Espoo 20:11, 20 June 2006 (UTC)

[edit] gluten sensitivity complications

"Prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia in adult gluten-sensitive enteropathy at diagnosis: role of B12, folate, and genetics." by Saibeni S, Lecchi A, Meucci G, Cattaneo M, Tagliabue L, Rondonotti E, Formenti S, De Franchis R, Vecchi M.; Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Service, IRCCS Maggiore Hospital and University of Milan, Milan, Italy.

  • BACKGROUND & AIMS: Hyperhomocysteinemia, a risk factor for thrombosis, recurrent miscarriages, and osteoporosis, might derive from acquired folate and vitamin B 12 deficiencies and from a C677T mutation in methylene-tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene. Undiagnosed gluten-sensitive enteropathy (GSE) is associated with vitamin deficiencies, osteoporosis, and recurrent miscarriages. We evaluated the prevalence and the risk factors for hyperhomocysteinemia in patients with newly diagnosed GSE.
  • METHODS: In this prospective study performed in a tertiary care setting, 40 consecutive subjects with newly diagnosed GSE were evaluated for homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B 12 levels and for C677T polymorphism. One hundred twenty sex- and age-matched healthy control subjects were studied. Nonparametric tests and multiple regression analysis were used to evaluate the risk factors in inducing hyperhomocysteinemia in the GSE population.
  • RESULTS: Hyperhomocysteinemia was more frequent in GSE patients than in control subjects (8/40, 20.0% vs 7/120, 5.8%) (relative risk, 3.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-8.9), as well as folate deficiency (17/40, 42.5% vs 10/120, 8.3%) (relative risk, 5.1; 95% confidence interval, 2.5-10.2). Multiple regression analysis showed that folate and B 12 levels were independently and inversely associated with homocysteine levels, whereas homozygosity for the MTHFR thermolabile variant was not. The prevalence of MTHFR variant in GSE population was not different from that reported in racially comparable control groups. Gluten-free diet was able to normalize folate, vitamin B 12 , and homocysteine levels.
  • CONCLUSIONS: Hyperhomocysteinemia is frequent in newly diagnosed GSE. Vitamin deficiencies caused by malabsorption are the most important determinants of this condition. Hyperhomocysteinemia might contribute to the occurrence of common complications of undiagnosed GSE.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15952099&dopt=Abstract PMID: 15952099 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
--Renice 05:11, 24 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Dementia

I was shocked that there was not a section on the connection between dementia risk and course and homocysteine. It is a fruitful area of research. Also, exercise reduces homosy. in the elderly, and is not mentioned. My vote for adding to this article on these points! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 159.212.71.200 (talk) 17:28, 19 May 2008 (UTC)

I do believe there is a possible link between homocysteine levels and dementia. Does anyone want to verify and add this? Kenkoo1987 01:45, 1 November 2006 (UTC)

I believe that there is definitely link between homocysteine neurotoxicity in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzeimer's Disease ,Dementia etc.All mechanisms by which it is achieved is explained in article I have referred to.Its interesting to read and understand.
Ref article: FEBS letters 580(2006)2994-3005 [ User: Dipenindia], 22:50,10 November 2006
I agree! I also believe there's a link with an Aspie/systemizer-thinking-style, in addition to a family or personal history of auto-immune disorders, gluten sensitivity, gout (especially in women), menopause, heart attacks, strokes, MS, or Connective Tissue Disorders (e.g., Beal's syndrome and possibly Marfan's syndrome).
Months ago, I figured out that I had a high H-level by comparing symptoms in those disorders (I'm 'true' for at least 8 out of 9) and removing endocannabinoid system symptoms. So I drastically cut animal fat (methionine-rich foods) from my diet then, and started taking B and Folic Acid supplements -- even so, my latest level was 12.7! (Anything over 10.4 is abnormally high (but I suspect the upper limit should be adjusted down for those certain phenotypes).)
If you are one of those phenotypes, get a level taken. You'll have to tell your doctor you want it checked: most of them don't seem to know yet that it may be more important than LDLs and HDLs for certain people.
When you get your H level checked, make sure they also check your iron level. Iron and homocysteine together are especially damaging.
My doctor says "Take folic acid." In light of the Vit B research mentioned above, any other ideas on looking for a remedy? -- Renice 23:49, 23 March 2007 (UTC)
Front page of http://www.homocysteine.net/ (which is better than its US counterpart) says, "Higher likelihood of developing dementia later on in life." Next page: "High levels of homocysteine have been linked to the development of a number of common and potentially fatal conditions including coronary heart disease and dementia." --Renice 18:27, 24 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Cystathionine Beta-Synthase Deficiency

Connection with dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases?

"Homocystinuria Caused by Cystathionine Beta-Synthase Deficiency" by Jonathan D Picker, MBChB, PhD; Harvey L Levy, MD

  • Characteristics:
    • developmental delay/mental retardation
    • ectopia lentis and/or severe myopia by age 8
    • skeletal abnormalities (excessive height and length of the limbs) [i.e., may look like Marfan's syndrome], prone to osteoporosis
    • thromboembolism (major cause of early death and morbidity)
  • Other features that may occur:
  • Two phenotypic variants recognized:
  1. B6-non-responsive homocystinuria
  2. B6-responsive homocystinuria (typically milder expression)

[just holding this here until someone can incorporate relevant bits]
--Renice 05:58, 24 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] not obtained from diet?

if homocysteine is not obtained from diet as the article claims and homocysteine forms methionine, how can methionine be an essential amino acid? -- Bubbachuck (talk) 09:14, 13 January 2008 (UTC)