Homocysteine-lowering treatment: an overview.

Elevated fasting plasma concentrations of homocysteine have a high prevalence in subjects with cardiovascular disease and have also been associated with an increased risk of atherothrombosis in most, but not all, prospective studies. The most frequent causes of hyperhomocysteinaemia are genetic defects, such as cystathionine-beta-synthase (CBS) deficiency, deficiencies of folic acid and/or vitamin B12, renal failure and interference in homocysteine metabolism by drugs or metabolic alterations. In most cases, no underlying cause can be established. Subjects with CBS deficiency are treated with pyridoxine with additional folic acid and betaine if necessary. Folic acid and vitamin B12 deficiencies should be corrected by supplementation. Increases in folate intake by dietary changes or fortification can also lower plasma homocysteine in vitamin-replete subjects with normal plasma homocysteine levels. In renal failure, folic acid treatment (1-5 mg/day) ameliorates the plasma homocysteine level in most cases but hyperhomocysteinaemia persists in the majority of patients. Primary (fasting) hyperhomocysteinaemia can be treated with folic acid (0.5-5 mg/day). An abnormal methionine-loading test identifies additional patients at risk and postmethionine-loading hyperhomocysteinaemia should be treated with a combination of pyridoxine and folic acid. In the absence of dose-effect studies, a combination of pyridoxine (50 mg) and folic acid (5 mg) is advised. Large clinical trials are currently underway to establish the role of homocysteine-lowering therapy in the secondary prevention of atherothrombotic disease. In view of the effective, cheap and safe character of therapy with folic acid and pyridoxine, a policy can be accepted to screen and treat high-risk patients until these trials have been concluded.