BACKGROUND: The antiparkinsonian drug L-dopa causes increased cellular synthesis of homocysteine and consequent hyperhomocysteinemia in rats. This effect of L-dopa on plasma homocysteine is accentuated under conditions of impaired homocysteine metabolism such as folate deficiency. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of L-dopa administration and B-vitamin status on plasma homocysteine concentrations in humans with PD. METHODS: Plasma homocysteine, folate, vitamin B(12), and pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP) concentrations were determined in 40 individuals diagnosed with idiopathic PD who were being treated as outpatients at the Boston University Medical Center Neurology Clinic. Twenty of the patients were on L-dopa therapy (treatment group) and 20 were L-dopa-naive (control group). RESULTS: The mean plasma homocysteine concentration was higher in the treatment group than in the controls (p = 0.018). Plasma homocysteine was correlated with plasma folate, vitamin B(12), and PLP concentrations in the treatment group (p <or= 0.007) but not in the controls. CONCLUSION: L-Dopa can cause hyperhomocysteinemia in PD patients, the extent of which is influenced by B-vitamin status. The B-vitamin requirements necessary to maintain normal plasma homocysteine concentrations are higher in L-dopa-treated patients than in those not on L-dopa therapy. B-Vitamin supplements may be warranted for PD patients on L-dopa therapy.
BACKGROUND: The antiparkinsonian drug L-dopa causes increased cellular synthesis of homocysteine and consequent hyperhomocysteinemia in rats. This effect of L-dopa on plasma homocysteine is accentuated under conditions of impaired homocysteine metabolism such as folate deficiency. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of L-dopa administration and B-vitamin status on plasma homocysteine concentrations in humans with PD. METHODS: Plasma homocysteine, folate, vitamin B(12), and pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP) concentrations were determined in 40 individuals diagnosed with idiopathic PD who were being treated as outpatients at the Boston University Medical Center Neurology Clinic. Twenty of the patients were on L-dopa therapy (treatment group) and 20 were L-dopa-naive (control group). RESULTS: The mean plasma homocysteine concentration was higher in the treatment group than in the controls (p = 0.018). Plasma homocysteine was correlated with plasma folate, vitamin B(12), and PLP concentrations in the treatment group (p <or= 0.007) but not in the controls. CONCLUSION:L-Dopa can cause hyperhomocysteinemia in PDpatients, the extent of which is influenced by B-vitamin status. The B-vitamin requirements necessary to maintain normal plasma homocysteine concentrations are higher in L-dopa-treated patients than in those not on L-dopa therapy. B-Vitamin supplements may be warranted for PDpatients on L-dopa therapy.
Authors: E Nissinen; H Nissinen; H Larjonmaa; A Väänänen; T Helkamaa; I Reenilä; P Rauhala Journal: J Neural Transm (Vienna) Date: 2004-12-22 Impact factor: 3.575
Authors: D Caccamo; G Gorgone; M Currò; G Parisi; W Di Iorio; C Menichetti; V Belcastro; L Parnetti; A Rossi; F Pisani; R Ientile; P Calabresi Journal: Neuromolecular Med Date: 2007 Impact factor: 3.843
Authors: Nicole Licking; Charles Murchison; Brenna Cholerton; Cyrus P Zabetian; Shu-Ching Hu; Thomas J Montine; Amie L Peterson-Hiller; Kathryn A Chung; Karen Edwards; James B Leverenz; Joseph F Quinn Journal: Parkinsonism Relat Disord Date: 2017-08-09 Impact factor: 4.891
Authors: Thomas Müller; Harald Hefter; Roland Hueber; Wolfgang H Jost; Klaus L Leenders; Per Odin; Johannes Schwarz Journal: J Neurol Date: 2004-09 Impact factor: 4.849