Methylation demand and homocysteine metabolism

摘要

An increased plasma level of the amino acid homocysteine is recognized as anindependent risk factor for the development of vascular disease (Boushey et al.,1995) and recent data suggest a relationship between elevated plasma homocysteineand neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer's disease (Clarke et al.,1998). Normal values of total plasma homocysteine are10 RM for men and 8 RM for women but as little as a 5 RM increase has been calculated to increase therisk of coronary artery disease by 60% in men and 80% in women (Boushey et al.,1995).2 Clearly, therefore, it is of importance to identify the mechanisms by whichhomocysteine metabolism and plasma homocysteine levels are regulated.