Hyper-homocysteinemia is an independent risk factor for occlusive vascular disease. The exact mechanisms by which hyperhomocysteinemia promotes the development of these diseases are still unclear. It has been suggested that damage to the vascular endothelium caused by reactive oxygen species produced during the auto-oxidation of homocysteine, may be the cause of the thrombo-embolic events. Studies have indicated that homocysteine interferes in various anticoagulant mechanisms mediated by the vascular endothelium, for example, reduction in protein C activation, inhibition of thrombomodulin and suppression of heparan sulfate expression. It is known that many factors influence the homocysteine levels including deficiency of the vitamin B complex (mainly folate, pyridoxine and cobalamin). Folate supplementation, alone or combined with pyridoxine and cobalamin, reduces plasmatic homocysteine levels even in people who are not vitamin deficient. This paper will address the possible mechanisms by which hyper-homocysteinemia could favor the development of thrombo-embolic events as well as addressing its nutritional treatment.
cardiovascular diseases; vascular diseases; homocysteine; nutritionist
