<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Increased levels of homocysteine (HCYS) represent a risk factor for a series of physiopathological conditions: mental retardation, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, depression, osteoporosis, endothelial dysfunction and inhibition of cell proliferation. This paper aims to present the pathophysiological implications of HCYS and the correlation of hyperhomocysteinemia (H-HCYS) with critical condition in the intensive care unit (ICU). Hypovitaminosis B and folate deficiency is directly involved in the inhibition of HCYS metabolism and the accumulation of HCYS in the plasma and tissues. Critically ill patients are more prone to H-HCYS due to hypermetabolism and accelerated synthesis produced by reactive oxygen species (ROS). In conclusion it can be affirmed that the determination and monitoring of HCYS plasma levels may be of interest in optimizing the therapy for critically ill patients. Moreover, by controlling HCYS levels, and implicitly the essential cofactors that intervene in the specific biochemical pathways, such as vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and folic acid can provide a diversified and personalized treatment for each patient.</p></abstract>

Increased levels of homocysteine (HCYS) represent a risk factor for a series of physiopathological conditions: mental retardation, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, depression, osteoporosis, endothelial dysfunction and inhibition of cell proliferation. This paper aims to present the pathophysiological implications of HCYS and the correlation of hyperhomocysteinemia (H-HCYS) with critical condition in the intensive care unit (ICU). Hypovitaminosis B and folate deficiency is directly involved in the inhibition of HCYS metabolism and the accumulation of HCYS in the plasma and tissues. Critically ill patients are more prone to H-HCYS due to hypermetabolism and accelerated synthesis produced by reactive oxygen species (ROS). In conclusion it can be affirmed that the determination and monitoring of HCYS plasma levels may be of interest in optimizing the therapy for critically ill patients. Moreover, by controlling HCYS levels, and implicitly the essential cofactors that intervene in the specific biochemical pathways, such as vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and folic acid can provide a diversified and personalized treatment for each patient.

The Effects of Homocysteine Level in the Critically Ill Patient. A Review

Clinic of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, “Pius Brinzeu” County Emergency Hospital, Timișoara,

Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timișoara,

“Casa Austria” Clinic of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, “Pius Brinzeu” County Emergency Hospital, Timișoara,

Faculty of Chemistry, Biology and Geography, West University of Timișoara,

Journal of Interdisciplinary Medicine

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

{"article-title":"The Effects of Homocysteine Level in the Critically Ill Patient. A Review"}

Increased levels of homocysteine (HCYS) represent a risk factor for a series of physiopathological conditions: mental retardation, cardiovascular and...

The Effects of Homocysteine Level in the Critically Ill Patient. A Review

Published Online: Oct 23, 2016

Page range: 131 - 136

Received: Jun 04, 2016

Accepted: Jun 14, 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/jim-2016-0025

Keywords
homocysteine, hypovitaminosis, oxidative stress, intensive care unit

© 2016 Ovidiu Horea Bedreag et al., published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

The Effects of Homocysteine Level in the Critically Ill Patient. A Review

Published Online: Oct 23, 2016

Page range: 131 - 136

Received: Jun 04, 2016

Accepted: Jun 14, 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/jim-2016-0025

Keywordshomocysteine, hypovitaminosis, oxidative stress, intensive care unit

© 2016 Ovidiu Horea Bedreag et al., published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
homocysteine, hypovitaminosis, oxidative stress, intensive care unit