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Cardiovascular Toxicology
Published in: Cardiovascular Toxicology 1/2011

01-03-2011

Homocysteine Induces Oxidative–Nitrative Stress in Heart of Rats: Prevention by Folic Acid

Authors: Janaína Kolling, Emilene B. Scherer, Aline Andrea da Cunha, Maira Jaqueline da Cunha, Angela T. S. Wyse

Published in: Cardiovascular Toxicology | Issue 1/2011

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Abstract

Hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, stroke, and thrombosis; however, the mechanisms by which homocysteine triggers these dysfunctions are not fully understood. In the present study, we investigated the effect of chronic hyperhomocysteinemia on some parameters of oxidative stress, namely thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, an index of lipid peroxidation, 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescein (H2DCF) oxidation, activities of antioxidant enzymes named superoxide dismutase and catalase, as well as nitrite levels in heart of young rats. We also evaluated the effect of folic acid on biochemical alterations elicited by hyperhomocysteinemia. Wistar rats received daily subcutaneous injection of homocysteine (0.3–0.6 μmol/g body weight) and/or folic acid (0.011 μmol/g body weight) from their 6th to the 28th day of life. Controls and treated rats were killed 1 h and/or 12 h after the last injection. Results showed that chronic homocysteine administration increases lipid peroxidation and reactive species production and decreases enzymatic antioxidant defenses and nitrite levels in the heart of young rats killed 1 h, but not 12 h after the last injection of homocysteine. Folic acid concurrent administration prevented homocysteine effects probable by its antioxidant properties. Our data indicate that oxidative stress is elicited by chronic hyperhomocystenemia, a mechanism that may contribute, at least in part, to the cardiovascular alterations characteristic of hyperhomocysteinemic patients. If confirmed in human beings, our results could propose that the supplementation of folic acid can be used as an adjuvant therapy in cardiovascular alterations caused by homocysteine.
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Metadata
Title
Homocysteine Induces Oxidative–Nitrative Stress in Heart of Rats: Prevention by Folic Acid
Authors
Janaína Kolling
Emilene B. Scherer
Aline Andrea da Cunha
Maira Jaqueline da Cunha
Angela T. S. Wyse
Publication date
01-03-2011
Publisher
Humana Press Inc
Published in
Cardiovascular Toxicology / Issue 1/2011
Print ISSN: 1530-7905
Electronic ISSN: 1559-0259
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12012-010-9094-7

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