Homocysteine induces congenital defects of the heart and neural tube: Effect of folic acid

摘要: The biological basis or mechanism whereby folate supplementation protects against heart and neural tube defects is unknown. It has been hypothesized that the amino acid homocysteine may be teratogenic agent, since serum increases in depletion; however, this hypothesis not tested. In study, avian embryos were treated directly with d,l-homocysteine l-homocysteine thiolactone, a dose response was established. Of 50 μl of (200 mM 100 thiolactone) on incubation days 0, 1, 2 harvested at 53 h (stage 14), 27% showed defects. To determine effect process septation, during 2, 3, 4; then they day 9 following completion septation. surviving embryos, 23% ventricular septal defects, 11% A high percentage also ventral closure defect. shown to raise over 150 nmol/ml, compared normal level about 10 nmol/ml. Folate kept rise ≈45 prevented effect. These results support per se causes dysmorphogenesis tube, as well wall.