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Hyperhomocysteinemia and Immune Activation

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Published/Copyright: June 1, 2005
Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (CCLM)
From the journal Volume 41 Issue 11

Abstract

Hyperhomocysteinemia is an established risk factor for atherosclerosis, thrombosis and other vascular diseases. Homocysteine auto-oxidation is considered to be crucially involved in the pathogenesis of these diseases. However, the question remains to be elucidated whether vitamin deficiency and homocysteine accumulation are causal for disease development or rather comprise a secondary phenomenon. Most diseases accompanied by hyperhomocysteinemia are also associated with ongoing activation of the immune system. In vitro experiments show homocysteine to accumulate in stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. In patients with coronary heart disease, with rheumatoid arthritis and in patients with dementia, an association between cellular immune activation and homocysteine metabolism is found. Homocysteine concentrations not only correlate inversely with folate concentrations, they also show a positive relationship with concentrations of immune activation markers like neopterin. Moreover, in patients with various kinds of dementia, increased concentrations of serum peroxides, homocysteine and neopterin correlate with each other. Studies support a role of immune system activation in the development of hyperhomocysteinemia. Stimulation and proliferation of immune cells may lead to the production of reactive oxygen species that may oxidize antioxidants and oxidation-sensitive B-vitamins. An enhanced demand for antioxidants as well as folate and vitamin B12 may develop, together with hyperhomocysteinemia, despite sufficient dietary intake.

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Published Online: 2005-06-01
Published in Print: 2003-11-17

Copyright © 2003 by Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co. KG

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Where Are We Standing in Homocysteine Research?
  2. DACH-LIGA Homocystein (German, Austrian and Swiss Homocysteine Society): Consensus Paper on the Rational Clinical Use of Homocysteine, Folic Acid and B-Vitamins in Cardiovascular and Thrombotic Diseases: Guidelines and Recommendations
  3. Hyperhomocysteinaemia as a Risk Factor for Venous Thrombosis: An Update of the Current Evidence
  4. Does Homocysteine Cause Hypertension?
  5. Homocysteine Metabolism in Renal Disease
  6. Hyperhomocysteinemia and B-Vitamin Deficiencies in Infants and Children
  7. The Role of Genetic Factors in the Development of Hyperhomocysteinemia
  8. New Basis of the Neurotrophic Action of Vitamin B12
  9. Hyperhomocysteinemia and Immune Activation
  10. Interactions of Homocysteine, Nitric Oxide, Folate and Radicals in the Progressively Damaged Endothelium
  11. Influence of Hyperhomocysteinemia on the Cellular Redox State – Impact on Homocysteine-Induced Endothelial Dysfunction
  12. Homocysteine-Thiolactone and S-Nitroso-Homocysteine Mediate Incorporation of Homocysteine into Protein in Humans
  13. Association of Asymmetric Dimethylarginine and Endothelial Dysfunction
  14. Genetic Determinants of Folate and Vitamin B12 Metabolism: A Common Pathway in Neural Tube Defect and Down Syndrome?
  15. Functional Vitamin B12 Deficiency and Determination of Holotranscobalamin in Populations at Risk
  16. Holotranscobalamin as a Predictor of Vitamin B12 Status
  17. Hyperhomocysteinemia and B-Vitamin Status after Discontinuation of Oral Anticoagulation Therapy in Patients with a History of Venous Thromboembolism
  18. Measurement of Carotid Plaque and Effect of Vitamin Therapy for Total Homocysteine
  19. Folate Improves Endothelial Function in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease
  20. The Impact of Hyperhomocysteinemia as a Cardiovascular Risk Factor in the Prediction of Coronary Heart Disease
  21. Homocysteine Increases during Endurance Exercise
  22. Comparison of the Influence of Volume-Oriented Training and High-Intensity Interval Training on Serum Homocysteine and Its Cofactors in Young, Healthy Swimmers
  23. Analysis of the Transcobalamin II 776C>G (259P>R) Single Nucleotide Polymorphism by Denaturing HPLC in Healthy Elderly: Associations with Cobalamin, Homocysteine and Holo-Transcobalamin II
  24. Meetings and Awards
https://doi.org/10.1515/CCLM.2003.221

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Where Are We Standing in Homocysteine Research?
  2. DACH-LIGA Homocystein (German, Austrian and Swiss Homocysteine Society): Consensus Paper on the Rational Clinical Use of Homocysteine, Folic Acid and B-Vitamins in Cardiovascular and Thrombotic Diseases: Guidelines and Recommendations
  3. Hyperhomocysteinaemia as a Risk Factor for Venous Thrombosis: An Update of the Current Evidence
  4. Does Homocysteine Cause Hypertension?
  5. Homocysteine Metabolism in Renal Disease
  6. Hyperhomocysteinemia and B-Vitamin Deficiencies in Infants and Children
  7. The Role of Genetic Factors in the Development of Hyperhomocysteinemia
  8. New Basis of the Neurotrophic Action of Vitamin B12
  9. Hyperhomocysteinemia and Immune Activation
  10. Interactions of Homocysteine, Nitric Oxide, Folate and Radicals in the Progressively Damaged Endothelium
  11. Influence of Hyperhomocysteinemia on the Cellular Redox State – Impact on Homocysteine-Induced Endothelial Dysfunction
  12. Homocysteine-Thiolactone and S-Nitroso-Homocysteine Mediate Incorporation of Homocysteine into Protein in Humans
  13. Association of Asymmetric Dimethylarginine and Endothelial Dysfunction
  14. Genetic Determinants of Folate and Vitamin B12 Metabolism: A Common Pathway in Neural Tube Defect and Down Syndrome?
  15. Functional Vitamin B12 Deficiency and Determination of Holotranscobalamin in Populations at Risk
  16. Holotranscobalamin as a Predictor of Vitamin B12 Status
  17. Hyperhomocysteinemia and B-Vitamin Status after Discontinuation of Oral Anticoagulation Therapy in Patients with a History of Venous Thromboembolism
  18. Measurement of Carotid Plaque and Effect of Vitamin Therapy for Total Homocysteine
  19. Folate Improves Endothelial Function in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease
  20. The Impact of Hyperhomocysteinemia as a Cardiovascular Risk Factor in the Prediction of Coronary Heart Disease
  21. Homocysteine Increases during Endurance Exercise
  22. Comparison of the Influence of Volume-Oriented Training and High-Intensity Interval Training on Serum Homocysteine and Its Cofactors in Young, Healthy Swimmers
  23. Analysis of the Transcobalamin II 776C>G (259P>R) Single Nucleotide Polymorphism by Denaturing HPLC in Healthy Elderly: Associations with Cobalamin, Homocysteine and Holo-Transcobalamin II
  24. Meetings and Awards
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