Question

Among the possible risk factors for CVD currently under study is the effect of ______, an amino acid that may damage the lining of blood vessels.

Answer 1

Homocystine is the amino acid.

Explanation:

Homocystine is an amino acid. Its a non proteogenous amino acid which is basically cystine by structure with an added sulphur bridge. In body, it's obtained from diet, as well as produced from methionine by decarboxylation.

This amino acid do have an important effect on blood vessels. It gets deposited on the inner surface of blood vessels in small dot manners which make the inner surface of blood vessels rough and irregular. This in turn increases the chances of intra Venous blood clot which can result in heart failure, AMI, brain stroke, kidney failure as well as Pulmonary embolism. Thus reduction of levels of homocystine is very necessary.