Department of Nutritional Sciences, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
Nutrients. 2024 Jan 23;16(3):330. doi: 10.3390/nu16030330.
Atherosclerosis and resulting cardiovascular disease are the leading causes of death in the US. Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy), or the accumulation of the intermediate amino acid homocysteine, is an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis, but the intricate biological processes mediating this effect remain elusive. Several factors regulate homocysteine levels, including the activity of several enzymes and adequate levels of their coenzymes, including pyridoxal phosphate (vitamin B6), folate (vitamin B9), and methylcobalamin (vitamin B12). To better understand the biological influence of HHcy on the development and progression of atherosclerosis, apolipoprotein-E-deficient ( mice), a model for human atherosclerosis, were fed a hyperhomocysteinemic diet (low in methyl donors and B vitamins) (HHD) or a control diet (CD). After eight weeks, the plasma, aorta, and liver were collected to quantify methylation metabolites, while plasma was also used for a broad targeted metabolomic analysis. Aortic plaque burden in the brachiocephalic artery (BCA) was quantified via 14T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A severe accumulation of plasma and hepatic homocysteine and an increased BCA plaque burden were observed, thus confirming the atherogenic effect of the HHD. Moreover, a decreased methylation capacity in the plasma and aorta, indirectly assessed by the ratio of S-adenosylmethionine to S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAM:SAH) was detected in HHD mice together with a 172-fold increase in aortic cystathionine levels, indicating increased flux through the transsulfuration pathway. Betaine and its metabolic precursor, choline, were significantly decreased in the livers of HHD mice versus CD mice. Widespread changes in the plasma metabolome of HHD mice versus CD animals were detected, including alterations in acylcarnitines, amino acids, bile acids, ceramides, sphingomyelins, triacylglycerol levels, and several indicators of dysfunctional lipid metabolism. This study confirms the relevance of severe HHcy in the progression of vascular plaque and suggests novel metabolic pathways implicated in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis.
动脉粥样硬化和由此导致的心血管疾病是美国的主要死亡原因。高同型半胱氨酸血症(HHcy),即中间氨基酸同型半胱氨酸的积累,是动脉粥样硬化的独立危险因素,但介导这种效应的复杂生物学过程仍难以捉摸。有几个因素可以调节同型半胱氨酸水平,包括几种酶的活性和它们的辅酶的适当水平,包括吡哆醛磷酸(维生素 B6)、叶酸(维生素 B9)和甲钴胺(维生素 B12)。为了更好地了解 HHcy 对动脉粥样硬化发展和进展的生物学影响,载脂蛋白-E 缺陷(apoE-/-)小鼠,一种人类动脉粥样硬化的模型,喂食高同型半胱氨酸血症饮食(缺乏甲基供体和 B 族维生素)(HHD)或对照饮食(CD)。八周后,收集血浆、主动脉和肝脏来定量测定甲基化代谢物,同时还使用血浆进行广泛的靶向代谢组学分析。通过 14T 磁共振成像(MRI)定量测定肱动脉(BCA)的主动脉斑块负担。观察到血浆和肝脏同型半胱氨酸严重积聚,BCA 斑块负担增加,从而证实了 HHD 的动脉粥样硬化作用。此外,在 HHD 小鼠中检测到血浆和主动脉的甲基化能力降低,间接通过 S-腺苷甲硫氨酸与 S-腺苷同型半胱氨酸(SAM:SAH)的比值来评估,同时主动脉胱硫醚水平增加 172 倍,表明转硫途径通量增加。HHD 小鼠肝脏中的甜菜碱及其代谢前体胆碱显著减少,而 CD 动物肝脏中的甜菜碱及其代谢前体胆碱显著减少。与 CD 动物相比,HHD 小鼠的血浆代谢组发生了广泛的变化,包括酰基辅酶 A、氨基酸、胆汁酸、神经酰胺、神经鞘磷脂、三酰甘油水平和几种脂质代谢功能障碍的指标的改变。本研究证实了严重 HHcy 在血管斑块进展中的相关性,并提出了新的代谢途径,这些途径与动脉粥样硬化的病理生理学有关。