A. Gianotti

Servizio Patologia Clinica, 3 ASL Genovese, Genova

Sir, we compared the plasma total homocysteine concentration (tHcy) in fifteen patients with atherosclerosis and/or metabolic diseases vs fifteen apparently healthy controls (see table). Homocysteine, a thiolcontaining aminoacid, is produced by the intracellular demethylation of methionine and it has been found that 3Bs’-folic acid, vitamins B6 and B12 can control and reduce homocysteine levels (1). All the subjects of the present study showed normal blood levels of folic acid, vitamins B6 and B12. No patient received drug therapy containing S-adenosyl- methionine.We know that homocysteine simulates the action of cholesterol because prolonged and elevated levels of the latter gradually damage the inner lining of blood vessels, causing atherosclerotic plaques and narrowing the arterial lumen, which often leads to heart attack (2, 3). Moreover, tHcy generates a prothrombotic state through the activation of factor V.