Homocysteine is a sulfurated amino acid, deriving out of methionine from the metabolism of the methyl group [1]. It is a non-protein substance that has been associated with the dynamics of endothelial function, platelet activation, and leukocyte interaction, with the capacity to intensify the inflammatory response in the cardiovascular system, it is therefore considered a potential cardiovascular risk marker [2]. Some studies have evaluated homocysteine in risk groups, where it has been found that the elevation of its levels (hyperhomocysteinemia) is correlated as a predictor of coronary artery disease, peripheral arterial disease, ictus, deep vein thrombosis, and elevated blood pressure during pregnancy [3-5]. Taking into account that cardiovascular diseases remain a major cause of morbidity, mortality, and disability, with high economic costs around the world [6], research on biomarkers that can predict vascular injury and serve as therapeutic targets is extremely necessary.
Zheng, et al. [7] conducted a study analyzing homocysteine levels for one year in 3229 patients who had suffered a stroke. They found that hyperhomocysteinemia was an independent predictor of mortality (HR: 1.70; 95% CI: 1.01-2.88, p < 0.05), also they predicted the risk of recurrence of stroke, mainly in those individuals with low platelet levels [7]. These results are consistent with those of the study conducted by Khan, et al. [8], where through the use of high-resolution metabolomic studies, they concluded that in patients with high cardiovascular risk, there is hyperactivity in the metabolic pathways of homocysteine and cysteic acid, promising then to be a non-invasive marker of morbidity with a strong cause-effect relationship [8].
Based on the results of this type of studies, studies aimed at counteracting hyperhomocysteinemia with vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and folate have been postulated, to assess the impact of this intervention on the process of atherosclerosis and decreased plasma homocysteine levels, finding favorable results in murine knockout models [9], but unfortunately not in humans [10]. However, very few clinical trials have evaluated this intervention [10], in addition to being obsolete, so it cannot be argued that it is not effective.
Toya, et al. [5] conducted a study in which they evaluated the association between plasma homocysteine levels with peripheral microvascular endothelial dysfunction, and their impact on major adverse cardiovascular events, through peripheral arterial tonometry of reactive hyperemia [5]. They found that those patients who had hyperhomocysteinemia, mostly were older, male, and with a higher number of comorbidities, compared to those who had low homocysteine levels. Hyperhomocysteinemia was strongly associated with an increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (HR: 3.65; 95% CI: 1.41-9.48, p = 0.01), even after adjusting the values by age [5].
There is still much to investigate about hyperhomocysteinemia, there is published evidence where it has been found that this condition is linked to insulin resistance [11], atrial fibrillation [12], disorders in sexual activity [13], and cardiometabolic health deficit in young people [14], so its role between the interaction of the cardiovascular system and other systems is not entirely elucidated, however, to find an effective and cost/benefit-effective technique, would be an innovative achievement with a high impact on the problem of the burden of the disease currently faced by many researchers and scientific societies. Likewise, it should be sought to improve which substances would manage to regulate homocysteine levels, and therefore, reduce the risk of suffering fatal cardiovascular events.
None.
None.
All authors have contributed for this manuscript.