Folate and Homocysteine Metabolism: Therapeutic Targets in Cardiovascular and Neurodegenerative Disorders

Title: Folate and Homocysteine Metabolism: Therapeutic Targets in Cardiovascular and Neurodegenerative Disorders

Volume: 10 Issue: 19

Author(s): Mark P. Mattson and Frank Haberman

Affiliation:

Keywords: apoptosis, atherosclerosis, dietary folic acid, schizophrenia, stem cells

Abstract: Individuals with elevated homocysteine levels are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke, and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimers and Parkinsons diseases Homocysteine is a modified form of the amino acid methionine that is tightly regulated by enzymes requiring folate. By impairing DNA repair mechanisms and inducing oxidative stress, homocysteine can cause the dysfunction or death of cells in the cardiovascular and nervous systems. Dietary folate stimulates homocysteine removal and may thereby protect cells against disease processes. The enzymes involved in homocysteine and folate metabolism provide novel targets for drug discovery.

Cite this article as:

Mattson P. Mark and Haberman Frank, Folate and Homocysteine Metabolism: Therapeutic Targets in Cardiovascular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2003; 10 (19) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0929867033456864