NUTR 4700 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Homocysteine, Hyperhomocysteinemia, Blood Vessel
Document Summary
About 30% of patients that have bypass surgery have no improvement in cvd. Hcy: sulfur containing amino acid made by body. Each increase of 5 umol/l in homocysteine level increases risk of cvd events by approximately 20% Tunica intima: innermost layer of blood vessel wall. Fatty streaks grow between intima and media. Homocysteine is a sulfur containing amino acid that is synthesized in the metabolism of the dietary amino acid methionine. Folic acid and b12 supplementation improves coronary flow reserve in elderly subjects with b12 deficiency. Factors affecting homocysteine: folate (folic acid), methylamine, b12, b6. it is worth noting that supplementation with folic acid and b12 improved not only hcy levels but also total cholesterol and insulin resistance. Decrease of carotid intima-media thickness in patients at risk to cerebral ischemia after supplementation with folic acid, b6, and b12.
