T. Abumiya, T. Sasaguri, Y. Taba, Y. Miwa, Megumi Miyagi
{"title":"Shear Stress Induces Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor Flk-1/KDR Through the CT-Rich Sp1 Binding Site","authors":"T. Abumiya, T. Sasaguri, Y. Taba, Y. Miwa, Megumi Miyagi","doi":"10.1161/01.ATV.0000018300.43492.83","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1161/01.ATV.0000018300.43492.83","url":null,"abstract":"Fluid shear stress is 1 of the major factors that control gene expression in vascular endothelial cells. We investigated the role of shear stress in the regulation of the expression of fetal liver kinase-1/kinase domain region (Flk-1/KDR), a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, by using human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Laminar shear stress (15 dyne/cm2) elevated Flk-1/KDR mRNA levels by ≈3-fold for 8 hours, and the expression was upregulated within the range of 5 to 40 dyne/cm2. Deletion analysis of the 5′-flanking region of the Flk-1/KDR gene promoter by use of a luciferase reporter vector revealed that a shear stress–responsive element resided in the sequence between −94 and −31 bp, which contained putative nuclear factor-&kgr;B, activator protein-2, and GC-rich Sp1 and CT-rich Sp1 binding sites. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay demonstrated that nuclear extract was bound to the GC-rich Sp1 sites and the CT-rich Sp1 site with a similar pattern. However, shear stress enhanced the DNA-protein interactions only on the CT-rich Sp1 site but not on the GC-rich Sp1 sites. A 3-bp mutation in the CT-rich Sp1 site eliminated the response to shear stress in electrophoretic mobility shift assay and luciferase reporter assay. These results suggest that shear stress induces Flk-1/KDR expression through the CT-rich Sp1 binding site.","PeriodicalId":8418,"journal":{"name":"Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology: Journal of the American Heart Association","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2002-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88180059","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ute Kelkenberg, A. Wagner, Jasmin Sarhaddar, M. Hecker, H. E. von der Leyen
{"title":"CCAAT/Enhancer-Binding Protein Decoy Oligodeoxynucleotide Inhibition of Macrophage-Rich Vascular Lesion Formation in Hypercholesterolemic Rabbits","authors":"Ute Kelkenberg, A. Wagner, Jasmin Sarhaddar, M. Hecker, H. E. von der Leyen","doi":"10.1161/01.ATV.0000017198.16727.27","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1161/01.ATV.0000017198.16727.27","url":null,"abstract":"Many cytokine genes, including those encoding acute-phase proteins and immunoglobulins, share binding sites for the CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) in their 5′-flanking regions, and C/EBP-related transcription factors regulate cell proliferation during terminal differentiation. Therefore, C/EBP represents an attractive target for inhibiting restenosis after balloon angioplasty. In a rabbit model of restenosis that combines balloon injury of the carotid artery with cholesterol-mediated chronic inflammation, a decoy oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) capable of neutralizing C/EBP was administered to the site of injury for 30 minutes. Electrophoretic mobility shift analysis confirmed that C/EBP activity in decoy ODN–treated segments was virtually absent after 2 days. Morphometric analysis after 28 days revealed significant reduction (up to 50%) of neointimal formation and intravascular inflammation in decoy ODN–treated segments compared with mutant control ODN or vehicle-treated segments. In addition, de novo synthesis of endothelin-1 and the number of proliferating cell nuclear antigen–positive smooth muscle cells in the vessel wall were markedly attenuated at day 3. These findings suggest that decoy ODN–based neutralization of C/EBP may be a feasible and effective method to limit restenosis after angioplasty brought about, at least in part, by inhibiting the de novo synthesis of endothelin-1.","PeriodicalId":8418,"journal":{"name":"Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology: Journal of the American Heart Association","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2002-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"78326086","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
J. Bella, J. Maccluer, M. Roman, L. Almasy, K. North, T. Welty, Elisa Lee, R. Fabsitz, B. Howard, R. Devereux
{"title":"Genetic Influences on Aortic Root Size in American Indians: The Strong Heart Study","authors":"J. Bella, J. Maccluer, M. Roman, L. Almasy, K. North, T. Welty, Elisa Lee, R. Fabsitz, B. Howard, R. Devereux","doi":"10.1161/01.ATV.0000017473.78775.F6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1161/01.ATV.0000017473.78775.F6","url":null,"abstract":"Aortic root dilatation is a major pathophysiological mechanism for aortic regurgitation and predisposes the aortic root to dissection or rupture. However, only a small proportion of the variance of aortic root size can be explained by its known clinical and demographic correlates. The present study was undertaken to determine the heritability of echocardiographically derived aortic root diameter in the American Indian participants in the second Strong Heart Study examination. Echocardiograms were analyzed in 1373 SHS participants who had ≥1 family member in the cohort. Heritability calculations were performed by using variance component analysis as implemented in SOLAR, a computer analysis program. In a polygenic model, the variables entered and identified as covariates of larger aortic root diameter were older age, male sex, and center (P <0.001), which accounted for 35% of the overall variability of aortic root diameter. After simultaneous adjustment was made for these significant covariates, the proportion of phenotypic variance due to additive genetic contribution or residual heritability (h2) was 0.51 (SE=0.08, P <0.001). Additionally, simultaneous adjustment for height, weight, and systolic and diastolic BPs yielded slightly lower residual h2 of aortic root diameter (h2=0.44, SE=0.08, P <0.001), which accounted for 26% of the overall variance of aortic root size. Because center effects were identified as significant covariates in the analyses, h2 analyses were performed separately in Arizona, Oklahoma, and North/South Dakota centers, which confirmed that a significant proportion of the phenotypic variance of aortic root diameter is due to additive genetic contribution. Heredity explains a substantial proportion of the variability of aortic root size that is not accounted for by age, sex, body size, and blood pressure. Echocardiographic screening of family members with aortic root dilatation may identify other individuals predisposed to aortic dissection or rupture.","PeriodicalId":8418,"journal":{"name":"Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology: Journal of the American Heart Association","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2002-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89198583","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M. Ward, A. Agrotis, P. Kanellakis, John Hall, G. Jennings, A. Bobik
{"title":"Tranilast Prevents Activation of Transforming Growth Factor-&bgr; System, Leukocyte Accumulation, and Neointimal Growth in Porcine Coronary Arteries After Stenting","authors":"M. Ward, A. Agrotis, P. Kanellakis, John Hall, G. Jennings, A. Bobik","doi":"10.1161/01.ATV.0000019405.84384.9C","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1161/01.ATV.0000019405.84384.9C","url":null,"abstract":"N (3,4-Dimethoxycinnamoyl) anthranilic acid (tranilast) prevents the synchronous upregulation of isoforms and receptors of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-&bgr; system after arterial injury and reduces restenosis after human coronary angioplasty. However, the effects of tranilast and the importance of the TGF-&bgr; system in stent restenosis, in which inward remodeling is unimportant but inflammatory cell stimulation of neointima formation is exaggerated, are uncertain. Boston minipigs, treated with tranilast or vehicle, were subjected to endoluminal stenting, and the expression of TGF-&bgr;1 and TGF-&bgr;3, the expression of their signaling receptors ALK-5 and T&bgr;R-II, leukocyte numbers around the stent struts, and neointima development were assessed over 28 days. Stenting greatly increased early (5-day) mRNA expression of the 2 TGF-&bgr; isoforms and their receptors. Immunohistochemical localization later showed that their concentrations were greatest in regions adjacent to stent struts, where leukocytes and collagen deposition were prevalent. Tranilast suppressed these elevations in TGF-&bgr; mRNAs and reduced their immunoreactive peptides detectable around stent struts. The accumulation of leukocytes and deposition of collagen in these regions was also greatly inhibited by tranilast. These effects were associated with a 48% reduction in maximal neointimal cross-sectional area and 43% reduction in mean neointimal cross-sectional area at 28 days (P <0.05). We conclude that tranilast suppresses neointima development after stenting, effects that can be at least partly attributed to its ability to attenuate the induction of the TGF-&bgr; system and leukocyte accumulation around stent struts.","PeriodicalId":8418,"journal":{"name":"Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology: Journal of the American Heart Association","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2002-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90363503","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M. Acevedo, G. Pearce, K. Kottke-Marchant, D. Sprecher
{"title":"Elevated Fibrinogen and Homocysteine Levels Enhance the Risk of Mortality in Patients From a High-Risk Preventive Cardiology Clinic","authors":"M. Acevedo, G. Pearce, K. Kottke-Marchant, D. Sprecher","doi":"10.1161/01.ATV.0000020007.25154.62","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1161/01.ATV.0000020007.25154.62","url":null,"abstract":"Fibrinogen (Fib) plays an important role in platelet aggregation and thrombus formation, and homocysteine (tHcy) causes endothelial dysfunction and injury. Therefore, an interaction toward an enhanced risk of thrombotic events and consequent mortality might be expected in patients with both factors elevated. To determine whether patients exposed jointly to high Fib and high tHcy were at increased risk of mortality, we compared them with those with only one or neither risk factors elevated. Prevalence of coronary artery disease (cross-section) and short-term mortality (30±14 months) were assessed in 2084 patients with available baseline tHcy and Fib. Upper quartiles were used to define high tHcy (>14.2 &mgr;mol/L) and high Fib (>382 mg/dL). Cox models adjusting for Framingham risk score, creatinine, and coronary artery disease status were used to estimate the risk of high tHcy and high Fib and their combinations. Mean age of the patients was 56±12 years (35% women) with 71 (3.4%) recorded deaths. Risk-adjusted longitudinal models showed a hazard ratio of 2.14 (P =0.03) for isolated high tHcy, 2.28 (P =0.02) for isolated high Fib, and 3.29 (P <0.001) for both high tHcy and high Fib in comparison with neither risk factor high. Independence of each parameter and lack of synergism was found on longitudinal as well as cross-sectional analyses. Conjoint elevation of Fib and tHcy increased the risk of death by approximately 3-fold in three years. Although no significant interaction between Fib and tHcy was demonstrated, both provided independent information after adjustment for traditional risk factors.","PeriodicalId":8418,"journal":{"name":"Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology: Journal of the American Heart Association","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2002-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81677095","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M. Lincoff, J. Badimón, J. Delfin, M. Richard, E. Erhardtsen, M. Thomsen, A., E. Lev, J. Marmur, M. Zdravković, J. Osende, J. Robbins
{"title":"Antithrombotic Effect of Tissue Factor Inhibition by Inactivated Factor VIIa: An Ex Vivo Human Study","authors":"M. Lincoff, J. Badimón, J. Delfin, M. Richard, E. Erhardtsen, M. Thomsen, A., E. Lev, J. Marmur, M. Zdravković, J. Osende, J. Robbins","doi":"10.1161/01.ATV.0000019732.25208.B8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1161/01.ATV.0000019732.25208.B8","url":null,"abstract":"FFR-rFVIIa is an inactivated recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) that inhibits the binding of factor VIIa to tissue factor (TF). It has been shown to prevent TF-induced thrombosis in animals. The present study is a substudy of the Active Site Inhibited Seven (ASIS) trial and examines the antithrombotic effect of 3 doses of FFR-rFVIIa in 24 patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Group 1 (n=9) received 400 &mgr;g/kg FFR-rFVIIa and 40 to 50 U/kg heparin, group 2 (n=7) received 200 &mgr;g/kg FFR-rFVIIa and 100 U/kg heparin, and group 3 (n=8) received 50 &mgr;g/kg FFR-rFVIIa and 100 U/kg heparin. Blood thrombogenicity was assessed as total thrombus area and fibrin deposition on the perfusion chamber at shear rate conditions typical of mild-moderate coronary stenosis. Baseline blood thrombogenicity was evaluated a day before PCI, after heparin administration. A second perfusion chamber study was performed just before PCI, 15 minutes after the administration of heparin and FFR-rFVIIa. Thrombus formation at a high shear rate was markedly reduced in groups 1 and 2 after drug administration, by 79% to 84% and 76% to 87%, respectively (P <0.004 [group 1], P <0.04 [group 2]). In group 3, moderate thrombus reduction of 46% to 48% was achieved (P <0.04). Fibrin deposition in all 3 groups was nearly eliminated after drug administration. Our data demonstrate that FFR-rFVIIa has a potent antithrombotic effect at different shear rates and severe arterial injury conditions.","PeriodicalId":8418,"journal":{"name":"Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology: Journal of the American Heart Association","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2002-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"78349169","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S. Tokuno, K. Hinokiyama, K. Tokuno, C. Löwbeer, L. Hansson, G. Valen
{"title":"Spontaneous Ischemic Events in the Brain and Heart Adapt the Hearts of Severely Atherosclerotic Mice to Ischemia","authors":"S. Tokuno, K. Hinokiyama, K. Tokuno, C. Löwbeer, L. Hansson, G. Valen","doi":"10.1161/01.ATV.0000017703.87741.12","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1161/01.ATV.0000017703.87741.12","url":null,"abstract":"To investigate if spontaneous ischemic events in mice with severe multi-organ atherosclerosis could adapt to ischemia, apolipoprotein E/LDL receptor knockout mice were fed an atherogenic diet for 7 to 9 months. Signs of spontaneous ischemia occurred. One to two days later, hearts were excised, Langendorff-perfused with induced global ischemia, and compared with mice without signs of disease. In vivo heart or brain infarctions were verified by heart histology and/or increased serum levels of cardiac troponin T and S100B. Hearts of mice with spontaneous ischemic events had improved function and reduced Langendorff-induced infarctions. To investigate the remote preconditioning effect of brain ischemia, bilateral ligation of the internal carotid arteries was performed in C57BL6 mice. Twenty-four hours later, their isolated hearts were protected against induced global ischemia. A possible role of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) was studied in iNOS knock out mice, who were not preconditioned by induced brain ischemia. Cardiac iNOS was unchanged 24 hours after preconditioning, suggesting that NO is a trigger rather than a mediator of protection. These findings suggest that spontaneous ischemic events in the brain and heart adapt the heart to ischemia. This can be mimicked by induced brain ischemia, with iNOS as a key factor of protection.","PeriodicalId":8418,"journal":{"name":"Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology: Journal of the American Heart Association","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2002-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"75189041","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
E. Lutgens, M. Gijbels, M. Smook, P. Heeringa, P. Gotwals, V. Koteliansky, M. Daemen
{"title":"Transforming Growth Factor-&bgr; Mediates Balance Between Inflammation and Fibrosis During Plaque Progression","authors":"E. Lutgens, M. Gijbels, M. Smook, P. Heeringa, P. Gotwals, V. Koteliansky, M. Daemen","doi":"10.1161/01.ATV.0000019729.39500.2F","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1161/01.ATV.0000019729.39500.2F","url":null,"abstract":"The transition from stable to rupture-prone and ruptured atherosclerotic plaques involves many processes, including an altered balance between inflammation and fibrosis. An important mediator of both is transforming growth factor (TGF)-&bgr;, and a pivotal role for TGF-&bgr; in atherogenesis has been postulated. Here, we determine the in vivo effects of TGF-&bgr; inhibition on plaque progression and phenotype in atherosclerosis. Recombinant soluble TGF-&bgr; receptor II (TGF&bgr;RII:Fc), which inhibits TGF-&bgr; signaling, was injected in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice for 12 weeks (50 &mgr;g, twice a week intraperitoneally) as early treatment (treatment age 5 to 17 weeks) and delayed treatment (age 17 to 29 weeks). In the early treatment group, inhibition of TGF-&bgr; signaling treatment resulted in a prominent increase in CD3- and CD45-positive cells in atherosclerotic lesions. Most profound effects were found in the delayed treatment group. Plaque area decreased 37.5% after TGF&bgr;RII:Fc treatment. Moreover, plaque morphology changed into an inflammatory phenotype that was low in fibrosis: lipid cores were 64.6% larger, and inflammatory cell content had increased 2.7-fold. The amount of fibrosis decreased 49.6%, and intraplaque hemorrhages and iron and fibrin deposition were observed frequently. TGF&bgr;RII:Fc treatment did not result in systemic effects. These results reveal a pivotal role for TGF-&bgr; in the maintenance of the balance between inflammation and fibrosis in atherosclerotic plaques.","PeriodicalId":8418,"journal":{"name":"Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology: Journal of the American Heart Association","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2002-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85153817","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Regulation of Endothelial Cell Survival and Apoptosis During Angiogenesis","authors":"E. Chavakis, S. Dimmeler","doi":"10.1161/01.ATV.0000017728.55907.A9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1161/01.ATV.0000017728.55907.A9","url":null,"abstract":"The process of angiogenesis plays an important role in many physiological and pathological conditions. Inhibition of endothelial cell (EC) apoptosis providing EC survival is thought to be an essential mechanism during angiogenesis. Many of the angiogenic growth factors inhibit EC apoptosis. In addition, the adhesion of ECs to the extracellular matrix or intercellular adhesion promotes EC survival. In contrast, increasing evidence suggests that the induction of EC apoptosis may counteract angiogenesis. In this review, we focus on the regulation of EC survival and apoptosis during angiogenesis and especially on the effects and intracellular signaling promoted by angiogenic growth factors, endogenous angiogenic inhibitors (such as angiostatin, endostatin, and thrombospondin-1), and the adhesion to the extracellular matrix. Furthermore, we discuss the effects of cross talk between adhesion molecules and growth factors. Understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of EC survival and apoptosis may provide new targets for the development of new therapies to enhance angiogenesis in the case of tissue-ischemia (eg, the neovascularization of myocardium) or to inhibit angiogenesis in the case of neovascularization-dependent disease (eg, tumor, diabetic retinopathy).","PeriodicalId":8418,"journal":{"name":"Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology: Journal of the American Heart Association","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2002-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"84135498","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
E. Cottington, C. LaMantia, S. Stabler, R. Allen, A. Tangerman, C. Wagner, S. Zeisel, S. Mudd
{"title":"Adverse Event Associated With Methionine Loading Test: A Case Report","authors":"E. Cottington, C. LaMantia, S. Stabler, R. Allen, A. Tangerman, C. Wagner, S. Zeisel, S. Mudd","doi":"10.1161/01.ATV.0000020400.25088.A7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1161/01.ATV.0000020400.25088.A7","url":null,"abstract":"The death of a control subject after an oral load of methionine for a study of the possible relationship between homocysteine and Alzheimer’s disease is reported. The subject developed postload plasma concentrations of methionine far beyond those reported previously in humans given the usual oral loading dose of methionine (100 mg/kg body wt). Her preload plasma metabolite values rule out known genetic diseases that might predispose one to unusually high methionine concentrations. The most likely explanation for these events is that the subject received a substantial overdose of methionine. The possibility that extremely high methionine concentrations may lead to severe cerebral effects is discussed, and it is recommended that any move to increase the sensitivity of the usual methionine loading test by increasing the dose of methionine either not be undertaken or be taken only with extreme care.","PeriodicalId":8418,"journal":{"name":"Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology: Journal of the American Heart Association","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2002-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83482628","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}