homocysteine

noun

ho·mo·cys·te·ine | \ ˌhō-mō-ˈsi-stə-ˌēn

Definition of homocysteine

: an amino acid C₄H₉NO₂S that is produced in animal metabolism by the demethylation of methionine and that appears to be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease when occurring at high levels in the blood

Examples of homocysteine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

More specifically, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase converts the amino acid homocysteine to another, methionine. — Tara C. Smith, SELF, "Why You Don't Actually Need to Test for MTHFR Gene Variants," 18 Mar. 2019 Because folic acid can lower homocysteine levels, researchers once hoped that folic acid supplements would prevent heart attacks and strokes. — Liz Szabo, CNN, "Enthusiasm over vitamins often outpaces evidence, experts say," 13 Apr. 2018 Because folic acid can lower homocysteine levels, researchers once hoped that folic acid supplements would prevent heart attacks and strokes. — Liz Szabo, chicagotribune.com, "Older Americans are hooked on vitamins despite scarce evidence they work," 6 Apr. 2018 Because folic acid can lower homocysteine levels, researchers once hoped that folic acid supplements would prevent heart attacks and strokes. — Liz Szabo, CNN, "Enthusiasm over vitamins often outpaces evidence, experts say," 13 Apr. 2018 Because folic acid can lower homocysteine levels, researchers once hoped that folic acid supplements would prevent heart attacks and strokes. — Liz Szabo, chicagotribune.com, "Older Americans are hooked on vitamins despite scarce evidence they work," 6 Apr. 2018 Because folic acid can lower homocysteine levels, researchers once hoped that folic acid supplements would prevent heart attacks and strokes. — Liz Szabo, CNN, "Enthusiasm over vitamins often outpaces evidence, experts say," 13 Apr. 2018 Because folic acid can lower homocysteine levels, researchers once hoped that folic acid supplements would prevent heart attacks and strokes. — Liz Szabo, chicagotribune.com, "Older Americans are hooked on vitamins despite scarce evidence they work," 6 Apr. 2018 Because folic acid can lower homocysteine levels, researchers once hoped that folic acid supplements would prevent heart attacks and strokes. — Liz Szabo, chicagotribune.com, "Older Americans are hooked on vitamins despite scarce evidence they work," 6 Apr. 2018

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Last Updated

10 May 2019

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The first known use of homocysteine was in 1932

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More Definitions for homocysteine

homocysteine

noun

ho·mo·cys·te·ine | \ ˌhō-mō-ˈsis-tə-ˌēn

, ˌhäm-ō-

Medical Definition of homocysteine

: an amino acid C₄H₉NO₂S that is produced in animal metabolism by the demethylation of methionine and forms a complex with serine that breaks up to produce cysteine and homoserine and that appears to be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease when occurring at high levels in the blood