Role of lifestyle factors on plasma homocysteine levels in Parkison's disease patients treated with levodopa

Abstract

Many papers documented that Parkinson's disease (PD) patients treated with levodopa (L-dopa) shows elevated plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels. Several lifestyle factors are able to influence plasma Hcy levels. We review the evidence that L-dopa therapy is related with an increase in plasma Hcy levels and that several behaviours could be able to cause changes in plasma Hcy concentrations. Therefore, there are reasons to suggest that a healthy lifestyle lowering Hcy may prevent this potential iatrogenic complication during L-dopa therapy. Moreover, at present, no controlled prospective studies have evaluated this phenomenon.

Transient Ischemic Attack Fast-track and Long-Term Stroke Risk: Role of Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging

“…In agreement with these studies, diabetes mellitus showed a strong correlation with TIA but both positive and negative DWI treated with fast-track have similar long-term risks of stroke. In our study, we excluded patients with hyperhomocysteinemia, because it may be associated with smallvessel disease of cerebral arteries [22][23][24][25] and with patent foramen ovale that may be an embolic source since with unsure relevance. 26 Regarding the presence of DWI positivity, our results are in agreement with literature data.…”

Therapeutic Strategies for Parkinson’s Disease: The Ancient Meets the Future—Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine, Electroacupuncture, Gene Therapy and Stem Cells

“…Firstly described by Dr. James Parkinson as early as in 1817, the cause of chronic nigral cell death in PD and its underlying mechanisms remain obscure nowadays. In the clinic, treatment with levodopa (L-Dopa), the precursor of DA, is simply symptom-modifying within limited time rather than a cure [3]. Therefore, a more effective therapy is critically needed not only for relief of the symptom but also halt or even reversal of the progress of the disease.…”

Serum homocysteine and physical exercise in patients with Parkinson's disease

“…Homocysteine (Hcy) is a sulfur‐containing amino acid formed during the metabolism of the essential amino acid methionine, an essential acid derived from proteins present in the diet 1 . Elevated plasma concentrations of this amino acid have been associated with cerebral and peripheral vascular diseases, cardiac diseases, cortical and hippocampal injury.…”

“…Elevated plasma concentrations of this amino acid have been associated with cerebral and peripheral vascular diseases, cardiac diseases, cortical and hippocampal injury. Subsequently, these conditions increase the risk of cognitive impairment and vascular dementia 1–3 …”