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Innovations in Noninvasive Instrumentation and Measurements
Published in Robert B. Northrop, Non-Invasive Instrumentation and Measurement in Medical Diagnosis, 2017
The AA homocysteine is formed by the demethylation of the natural AA, methionine (Figure 17.7). A number of workers (Boushey et al. 1995, Perry et al. 1995, Verhoef et al. 1996, Bronstrup et al. 1998, Chao et al. 1999) have found that a high level of homocysteine in the blood is a potent risk signal for cardiovascular disease (atherosclerosis), heart attack, and stroke. It may also be associated with kidney disease, psoriasis, breast cancer, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Follest-Strobl et al. 1997, Moghadasian et al. 1997). The exact cause for elevated homocysteine concentration is not clear; it may be related to disease-caused stress, and it undoubtedly has a complex biochemical explanation. The administration of vitamins B12 and B6 brings the level of homocysteine down, presumably reducing the risks. Thus, it appears that the measurement of elevated blood homocysteine concentration does not have specific, predictive diagnostic value, but is indicative of a spectrum of possible future and/or ongoing health problems.
Treatment Options for Chemical Sensitivity
Published in William J. Rea, Kalpana D. Patel, Reversibility of Chronic Disease and Hypersensitivity, Volume 5, 2017
William J. Rea, Kalpana D. Patel
Recent findings suggest that folic acid deficiency (and a consequent increase in the levels of homocysteine) may increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, stroke, and psychiatric disorder.42–44 Folate plays a critical role in one carbon metabolism by facilitating the remethylation by methione from homocysteine.45 By increasing homocysteine levels and impairing DNA synthesis, methylation and repair of folate deficiency can damage cells including neurons.43,46 Improved brain function can be found with antioxidants such as vitamin E,47Gingko biloba extract,48 and creatine.49
Cobalt Toxicity
Published in Debasis Bagchi, Manashi Bagchi, Metal Toxicology Handbook, 2020
Muhammad Umar, Ayyaz Sultan, Noman Jahangir, Zobia Saeed
Cobalt plays an essential role in the homeostasis of heme, DNA, amino acids, and fatty acids. It performs this crucial role as cyanocobalamin or vitamin B12, which is a co-factor for homocysteine methyltransferase. This enzyme converts homocysteine into methionine, an essential methyl donor for methylation reaction, needed for myelin maintenance and trans-methylation reactions. Its deficiency may lead to neurological diseases as peripheral neuropathy, subacute combined degeneration of spinal cord, ataxia, and irreversible dementia.
Development of choline biosensor using toluidine blue O as mediator
Published in Preparative Biochemistry & Biotechnology, 2020
Rüya Baskin, Elif (Aynaci) Koyuncu, Halit Arslan, Fatma Arslan
Choline, which is an amino alcohol, has an important role in human organism. It is a significant food essential with some physiological goals.[1] Choline plays a remarkable role in the synthesis of phospholipids such as phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin, which constitute the cell membrane structure and the transport of excess triglycerides in the liver.[2] It is also an important source of betaine, the metabolite, and methyl group donor required for homocysteine metabolism.[3] Moreover, it is the precursor of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter associated with cholinergic memory and muscle control. Studies have shown that the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease is high in the absence of choline.[4] For this reason, it is essential to determine the presence of choline, especially for the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.[5]
Mechanistic links between vitamin deficiencies and diabetes mellitus: a review
Published in Egyptian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 2021
Tajudeen O. Yahaya, AbdulRahman B. Yusuf, Jamilu K. Danjuma, Bello M. Usman, Yahaya M. Ishiaku
Vitamin B12, otherwise called cobalamin because it contains cobalt, is a water-soluble vitamin [28]. It is the most studied and structurally complex of the B-vitamins, and found in all cells where it is involved in DNA synthesis, optimal hemopoiesis, and neurological activities [28]. Vitamin B12 and some other B-vitamins lower homocysteine levels – an amino acid that predisposes to T2DM by promoting oxidative stress, insulin resistance, β-cell dysfunction, systemic inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction [29,30]. Depletion of vitamin B12 may lead to pernicious anemia, which is often associated with T2DM. The deficiency of vitamin B12 is also linked with autoimmune diseases, including T1DM [28]. Vitamin B12 is abundant in animal products such as meat, milk, eggs, poultry, eggs, and fish [31]. These show that individuals following vegan diets are more at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency [31]. Many studies have linked vitamin B12 deficiency with the pathogenesis of DM. In one study, vitamin B12 deficiencies in pregnant women were linked with obesity, a risk factor of both TIDM and T2DM [32]. In another study, an association was established between maternal vitamin B12 levels and risk of maternal obesity and gestational diabetes mellitus [33]. In a clinical trial, vitamin B12 therapy improved insulin resistance and endothelial function [34]. Additionally, low vitamin B12 levels were linked with an increased risk of adiposity [35]. Vitamin B12 modulates several cellular processes, particularly epigenetic changes that are necessary for gene expression. Some of these pathways may be involved in the fetal metabolic configuration that predisposes offspring to insulin resistance [32]. The mechanistic links between vitamin B12 deficiency and DM are summarized in Figure 2.