Homocysteine assay

Description

Intended Use

For the quantitative in vitro determination of Homocysteine in serum. This product is suitable for automated, semi-automated and manual use.

Clinical Significance

Homocysteine is a thio-containing amino acid produced by the intracellular demethylation of methionine. Severely elevated concentrations of total homocysteine are found in patients with homocystinuria, a rare genetic disorder of the enzymes involved in the metabolism of homocysteine. Patients with homocystinuria exhibit mental retardation, early arteriosclerosis and arterial and venous thromboembolism. Other less severe genetic defects which lead to moderately elevated levels of total homocysteine are also found.

Hyperhomocysteinemia, elevated levels of homocysteine, can be associated with an increased risk of CVD. Patients with chronic renal disease experience an excess morbidity and mortality due to arteriosclerotic CVD. Elevated concentration of homocysteine is a frequently observed finding in the blood of these patients. Although such patients lack some of the vitamins involved in the metabolism of homocysteine, the elevated homocysteine levels are mainly due to impaired homocysteine removal from the blood by the kidneys.

Recent evidence has also implicated elevated blood levels of homocysteine in miscarriages and birth defects. Drugs such as methotrexate, carbamazepine, phenytoin, nitrous oxide and 6-azauridine triacetate interfere with homocysteine metabolism and may give elevated levels.