The Controversial Role of HCY and Vitamin B Deficiency in Cardiovascular Diseases

Nutrients

Markus Herrmann¹  Wolfgang Herrmann² 

[1] Clinical Institute of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria;Medical School, Saarland University, 66421 Saarbrücken, Germany;

关键词: homocysteine;    B vitamins;    B-vitamin supplementation;    telomere;    telomere shortening;    vascular dysfunction;   

DOI  :  10.3390/nu14071412

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Plasma homocysteine (HCY) is an established risk factor for cardiovascular disease CVD and stroke. However, more than two decades of intensive research activities has failed to demonstrate that Hcy lowering through B-vitamin supplementation results in a reduction in CVD risk. Therefore, doubts about a causal involvement of hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) and B-vitamin deficiencies in atherosclerosis persist. Existing evidence indicates that HHcy increases oxidative stress, causes endoplasmatic reticulum (ER) stress, alters DNA methylation and, thus, modulates the expression of numerous pathogenic and protective genes. Moreover, Hcy can bind directly to proteins, which can change protein function and impact the intracellular redox state. As most mechanistic evidence is derived from experimental studies with rather artificial settings, the relevance of these results in humans remains a matter of debate. Recently, it has also been proposed that HHcy and B-vitamin deficiencies may promote CVD through accelerated telomere shortening and telomere dysfunction. This review provides a critical overview of the existing literature regarding the role of HHcy and B-vitamin deficiencies in CVD. At present, the CVD risk associated with HHcy and B vitamins is not effectively actionable. Therefore, routine screening for HHcy in CVD patients is of limited value. However, B-vitamin depletion is rather common among the elderly, and in such cases existing deficiencies should be corrected. While Hcy-lowering with high doses of B vitamins has no beneficial effects in secondary CVD prevention, the role of Hcy in primary disease prevention is insufficiently studied. Therefore, more intervention and experimental studies are needed to address existing gaps in knowledge.

【 授权许可】

Unknown