BACKGROUND There is a growing focus on nutritional therapy for Alzheimer's disease (AD), and controversy exists regarding the association between AD and homocysteine (Hcy), vitamin B12, and folate levels. OBJECTIVE The present study evaluated the association between AD and the combined levels of Hcy, vitamin B12, and folate. METHODS This case-control study consisted of 115 patients with AD ...

AIMS We assessed homocysteine (Hcy) levels in tear fluid and plasma of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). We determined the association between Hcy levels, dry eye syndrome and B vitamin status. METHODS This prospective case-control study included 36 patients with POAG and 36 controls. Hcy concentrations were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS Patient...

BACKGROUND Few data are available comparing homocysteine (Hcy) levels in patients with hypertension in different ethnic groups. OBJECTIVES This study sought to determine whether there are associations of blood pressure and Hcy levels in patients with hypertension from Xinjiang Province, China. METHODS We examined the serum total Hcy levels in a total of 451 Chinese of various ethnic groups ...

Homocysteine (HCY) is a pro-inflammatory sulphur-containing redox active endogenous amino acid, which concentration increases in neurodegenerative disorders including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). A widely held view suggests that HCY could contribute to neurodegeneration via promotion of oxidative stress. However, the action of HCY on motor nerve terminals has not been investigated so fa...

Hyperhomocysteinemia is believed to induce endothelial dysfunction and promote atherosclerosis; however, the pathogenic mechanism has not been clearly elucidated. In this study, we examined the molecular mechanism by which homocysteine (HCy) causes endothelial cell apoptosis and by which nitric oxide (NO) affects HCy-induced apoptosis. Our data demonstrated that HCy caused caspase-dependent apo...

Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) present decreased homocysteine (Hcy) concentration, reflecting a functional folate deficiency secondary to overexpression of the cystathionine ss-synthase gene. Since plasma Hcy may be influenced by genetic polymorphisms, we evaluated the influence of C677T and A1298C polymorphisms in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene (MTHFR), of A2756G polymorphis...

AIMS Increased levels of homocysteine (Hcy) form an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In a previous study we have shown that Hcy induced phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure to the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane in cardiomyocytes, inducing a pro-inflammatory phenotype. In the present study the mechanism(s) involved in Hcy-induced PS exposure were analyzed. METHODS H9c2 rat...

OBJECTIVE An elevated plasma homocysteine (Hcy) level is considered an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis. However, the mechanisms by which hyperhomocysteinemia induces atherosclerosis are only partially understood. The effect of Hcy on T lymphocyte proliferation and its mechanisms were examined in normal and hyperhomocysteinemia ApoE-knockout mice. METHODS The mouse splenic T-cells ...

Homocysteine (Hcy) and glutathione (GSH) are crucial reduction‑oxidation mediators. The underlying mechanisms governing the effects of Hcy on GSH generation in the progression of alcoholic liver disease has so far received little attention. The present study hypothesized that the antioxidant transcriptional factor nuclear factor (erythroid‑derived 2)‑like 2 (Nrf2) may participate in Hcy‑mediate...

BACKGROUND In recent years, there has been increasing interest in the role of plasma homocysteine (Hcy) as a possible risk factor for several diseases of the central nervous system. The aim of this study was to determine the plasma levels of Hcy in a group of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients from a Greek population and the possible correlation with age, disability status, activity or duration o...