Kamila Šamudovská, Ľudmila Podracká
Homocysteine has been intensively studied risk factor of cardiovascular diseases in the last years. Numerous studies found relation between mild hyperhomocysteinemia, endothelial dysfunction and early atherosclerosis. Hyperhomocysteinemia might be due to folic acid, vitamin B12 and vitamin B6 deficiencies, MTHFR mutation and deterioration of renal function. The toxic effect of homocysteine is usually explained by its direct and/or indirect influence on vessel wall, oxidative stress and disorders of coagulation. Oral administration of folic acid and vitamin B12 can lower plasma total homocysteine levels. However, the most prospective studies did not find an effect of treatment with folic acid/vitamin B12 or vitamin B6 on total mortality or cardiovascular events.