Hyperhomocysteinemia - risk and its management.

Homocysteine is a sulfur containing amino acid that is created in the body from Methionine, an essential amino acid derived solely from dietary intake. Methionine is metabolized into Homocysteine via an intermediate, S-adenosyl Methionine. Homocysteine can be metabolized to produce cysteine, a nonessential sulfur-containing amino acid, or it can be remethylated to Methionine. Whether the body needs cysteine or Methionine will dictate which path Homocysteine metabolism will take. Homocysteinemia, or elevated plasma Homocysteine, is a major, independent risk factor of cardiovascular disease. High plasma levels of Homocysteine appear to injure the vasculature, impairing the functional abilities of endothelial and smooth muscle cells. Elevated Homocysteine also appears to be thrombogenic. Suboptimal intake of several B vitamins, renal failure, and genetic defects in Homocysteine metabolism can all contribute to abnormal Homocysteine levels. In the present review we have summarized the Homocysteine and its relationship with other diseases and Management of these complications.