Hyperhomocysteinemia - important risk factor for ischemic stroke

Zyta Banecka-Majkutewicz; Dariusz Gąsecki; Joanna Jakóbkiewicz-Banecka; Bogdan Banecki; Grzegorz Węgrzyn; Walenty M. Nyka

Vol 7, No 2 (2005)

Prace poglądowe

Published online: 2005-09-12

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Hyperhomocysteinemia - important risk factor for ischemic stroke

Zyta Banecka-Majkutewicz, Dariusz Gąsecki, Joanna Jakóbkiewicz-Banecka, Bogdan Banecki, Grzegorz Węgrzyn, Walenty M. Nyka

Udar Mózgu. Problemy Interdyscyplinarne 2005;7(2):61-65.

Vol 7, No 2 (2005)

Prace poglądowe

Published online: 2005-09-12

Abstract

Hyperhomocysteinemia is emerging as possible risk factor for cardiovascular disease, including cerebral stroke. Stroke is one of the leading causes of mortality and disability in Poland. The etiology of stroke is often unknown; it has been estimated that etiology and pathophysiology in more that 40% of strokes remains unexplained. Hyperhomocysteinemia is considered a modifiable risk factor for stroke, possibly because of atherogenic and prothrombotic mechanism. Both, genetics and environmental (e.g. dietary intake of folic acid and B vitamins) factors affects homocysteine level. One of the most common genetics defects of homocysteine metabolism is a mutation in the enzyme methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), metionine syntase (MS) and cystationine beta syntase (CBS). Identification of the role of hyperhomocysteinemia as the modifiable risk factor for stroke may lead to more effective prevention of stroke through dietary and pharmacological modification of homocysteine level.