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Guéant JL, Guéant-Rodriguez RM, Oussalah A, Zuily S, Rosenberg I. Hyperhomocysteinemia in Cardiovascular Diseases: Revisiting Observational Studies and Clinical Trials. Thromb Haemost 2023; 123:270-282. [PMID: 36170884 DOI: 10.1055/a-1952-1946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Thromboembolic manifestations are relatively frequent in patients with intermediate/severe hyperhomocysteinemia (>30 µmol/L) related to inherited disorders and deficiencies in vitamin B12 and folate. In contrast, moderate hyperhomocysteinemia (15-30 µmol/L) is a modest predictor of cardiovascular risk. The recognition of homocysteine as a cardiovascular risk factor has been challenged by some but not all randomized clinical trials. We reviewed the main data of this controversy and formulated conclusions to be translated in clinical practice.Homocysteine-lowering trials have been performed in cardiovascular subjects with moderate but not intermediate/severe hyperhomocysteinemia despite the dose-effect risk association. The first meta-analyses found no benefit and led cardiology societies not recommending homocysteine in the assessment of cardiovascular risk. This guideline challenged the need to diagnose and treat the nutritional and genetic causes of intermediate/major hyperhomocysteinemia and was not revised when larger meta-analyses concluded to a reduced risk of stroke. In a recent observational study, 84% of consecutive cardiovascular patients assessed for homocysteine had intermediate or major hyperhomocysteinemia, which was properly assessed in only half of the cases and related to B12 and/or folate deficiency and Addison/Biermer disease in 55% of these cases.In conclusion, revisiting observational studies and clinical trials suggests that cardiovascular patients should be screened for hyperhomocysteinemia, when no other risk factor is found. Patients with intermediate/major hyperhomocysteinemia should be properly assessed and treated for B vitamin deficiencies and inherited disorders according to current guidelines. Further trials are needed to assess the effect of lowering homocysteine according to hyperhomocysteinemia categories at baseline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Louis Guéant
- Division of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, Departments of Hepato-Gastroenterology and Molecular Medicine, University Hospital of Nancy, F-54000 Nancy, France.,Reference Centre for Inborn Errors of Metabolism (ORPHA67872), University Hospital of Nancy, F-54000 Nancy, France.,INSERM UMR_S 1256, Nutrition, Genetics, and Environmental Risk Exposure (NGERE), Faculty of Medicine of Nancy, F-54000 Nancy, France
| | - Rosa-Maria Guéant-Rodriguez
- Division of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, Departments of Hepato-Gastroenterology and Molecular Medicine, University Hospital of Nancy, F-54000 Nancy, France.,Reference Centre for Inborn Errors of Metabolism (ORPHA67872), University Hospital of Nancy, F-54000 Nancy, France.,INSERM UMR_S 1256, Nutrition, Genetics, and Environmental Risk Exposure (NGERE), Faculty of Medicine of Nancy, F-54000 Nancy, France
| | - Abderrahim Oussalah
- Division of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, Departments of Hepato-Gastroenterology and Molecular Medicine, University Hospital of Nancy, F-54000 Nancy, France.,Reference Centre for Inborn Errors of Metabolism (ORPHA67872), University Hospital of Nancy, F-54000 Nancy, France.,INSERM UMR_S 1256, Nutrition, Genetics, and Environmental Risk Exposure (NGERE), Faculty of Medicine of Nancy, F-54000 Nancy, France
| | - Stéphane Zuily
- Vascular Medicine Division and Regional Competence Center for Rare Auto-Immune Diseases, INSERM UMR_S 1116 DCAC and CHRU-Nancy, Université de Lorraine, F-54000 Nancy, France
| | - Irwin Rosenberg
- Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
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Ventura P, Sardh E, Longo N, Balwani M, Plutzky J, Gouya L, Phillips J, Rhyee S, Fanelli MJ, Sweetser MT, Petrides PE. Hyperhomocysteinemia in acute hepatic porphyria (AHP) and implications for treatment with givosiran. Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 16:879-894. [PMID: 35929959 DOI: 10.1080/17474124.2022.2110469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Homocysteine is a sulfur-containing amino acid formed in the intermediary metabolism of methionine. Amino acid metabolism and heme biosynthesis pathways are complexly intertwined. Plasma homocysteine elevation, hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy), has been reported in patients with acute hepatic porphyria (AHP), a family of rare genetic disorders caused by defects in hepatic heme biosynthesis. AREAS COVERED This article summarizes published case series in which givosiran, a subcutaneously administered small interfering RNA approved for AHP treatment, appeared to exacerbate dysregulated homocysteine metabolism in patients with AHP. A comprehensive exploratory analysis of ENVISION trial data demonstrated that on a population level, givosiran increased homocysteine but with wide interpatient variations, and there is no proof of correlations between HHcy and changes in efficacy or safety of givosiran. EXPERT OPINION The strong correlation and co-increase of homocysteine and methionine suggest that HHcy associated with givosiran is likely attributable to the impaired trans-sulfuration pathway catalyzed by cystathionine β-synthase, which uses vitamin B6 as a cofactor. Data-based consensus supports monitoring total plasma homocysteine and vitamin B6, B12, and folate levels before and during givosiran treatment; supplementing with pyridoxine/vitamin B6 in patients with homocysteine levels >100 μmol/L; and involving patients with homocysteine levels >30 μmol/L in decisions to supplement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Ventura
- Department of Surgical and Medical Sciences for Children and Adults, Internal Medicine Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Eliane Sardh
- Porphyria Centre Sweden, Centre for Inherited Metabolic Diseases, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Nicola Longo
- Division of Medical Genetics, Departments of Pediatrics and Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Manisha Balwani
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jorge Plutzky
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - John Phillips
- Division of Hematology and Hematologic Malignancies, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Sean Rhyee
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Petro E Petrides
- EPNET Center Munich, Hematology Oncology Center, Ludwig Maximilians University (LMU) of Munich Medical School, Munich, Germany
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