Homocysteine and vitamin therapy in stroke prevention and treatment: a review

• Authors: Bogdan N Manolescu , Eliza Oprea , Ileana C Farcasanu , Mihai Berteanu , Cornelia Cercasov
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

Homocysteine (Hcy), a sulfur amino acid, is the only direct precursor for l-methionine synthesis through a reaction that requires vitamin B12, representing a connection with "one-carbon" units metabolism. Hcy catabolism requires vitamin B6 and as a consequence, alteration in folic acid and B vitamins status impairs Hcy biotransformation. Numerous studies have indicated that Hcy is an independent risk factor for cardio- and cerebrovascular diseases. In the last decade, several clinical trials have investigated the possible correlation between the use of folic acid and vitamins B6 and B12 for lowering Hcy plasma concentration and the reduced risk of stroke or its recurrence. This review is aimed to present some aspects of Hcy biochemistry, as well as the mechanisms through which it exerts the toxic effects on the vascular endothelium. We also discuss the results of some of the clinical trials developed to investigate the beneficial effects of vitamin therapy in the prevention and management of stroke.

Keywords

EN

folic acid; vitamin B12; vitamin therapy; vitamin B6; homocysteine; stroke

• Publisher: Polish Biochemical Society
• Journal: Acta Biochimica Polonica
• Year: 2010
• Volume: 57
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 467-477

Dates

published

2010

received

2010-06-14

revised

2010-11-02

accepted

2010-11-28

(unknown)

2010-12-06

Contributors

author

Bogdan N Manolescu

• Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Carol Davila", Bucharest, Romania

author

Eliza Oprea

• Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania

author

Ileana C Farcasanu

• Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania

author

Mihai Berteanu

• Department of Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Carol Davila", Bucharest, Romania

author

Cornelia Cercasov

• Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania

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