Homocysteine (HC) is a highly reactive thiol intermediate in amino acid metabolism, which
can modify the function of endothelial cells in a myriad of ways. In vitro, homocysteine can
inhibit the thromboresistance properties of the endothelial cell by induction of procoagulant
factors, inactivation of natural anticoagulant systems, and suppression of vasodilatory and
platelet-modulating factors. HC also inhibits the fibrinolytic system by impairing the ability of
the endothelial cell to bind tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), by interacting directly with …