Interrelationship between diabetes and homocysteine metabolism: Hormonal regulation of cystathionine β-synthase

Abstract

Plasma homocysteine levels are elevated during diabetes when there is atherosclerosis or insufficient renal function; however, diminished plasma homocysteine concentrations are observed in diabetes without complications. Recent studies have demonstrated that under diabetic conditions, the catabolism of homocysteine was enhanced by transcriptional regulation of hepatic cystathionine β-synthase and these changes were prevented by treatment with insulin. © 2003 International Life Sciences Institute.