Alzheimer's threat? (Letters).Just a simple question from an avid subscriber. Is the homocysteine Homocysteine Definition Homocysteine is a naturally occurring amino acid found in blood plasma. High levels of homocysteine in the blood are believed to increase the chance of heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer's disease, and osteoporosis. in "High homocysteine tied to Alzheimer's" (SN: 3/2/02, p. 141) the same as the l-cysteine or acetyl-l-cysteine that people take for health reasons in pill form? PAUL A. PAGNATO, MCLEAN, VA. L-cysteine and acetyl-l-cysteine are quite different from homocysteine. l-cysteine is a detoxifying agent and free radical scavenger free radical scavenger Free radical inactivator Any compound that reacts with free radicals in a biological system, ↓ free radical-induced damage, and protects against the indirect effects of free radicals produced by ionizing radiation, etc Examples that's the mirror image of the amino acid cysteine cysteine (sĭs`tēn), organic compound, one of the 20 amino acids commonly found in animal proteins. Only the l-stereoisomer participates in the biosynthesis of mammalian protein. . Acetyl-l-cysteine is the same compound with an acetyl acetyl /ac·e·tyl/ (as´e-til) (as´e-tel?) (ah-se´til) the monovalent radical CH3COsbond, a combining form of acetic acid. a·ce·tyl n. molecule attached to make it more available to tissues. Homocysteine in high concentrations in blood has been linked with increased risk of atherosclerotic plaques in blood vessels, and it may have a toxic effect on cells lining such vessels. --N.S. |
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