[Effect of Stressen on homocysteine blood levels in patients with cardiovascular disease or at risk by familial anamnesis]. / Studio dell'effetto della specialità medicinale Stressen sui livelli ematici di omocisteina in pazienti affetti da patologia cardiovascolare o a rischio per anamnesi familiare.

OBJECTIVE: Moderate hyperhomocysteinemia, important risk factor for cardiovascular disease, produces an endothelial damage due to oxidative stress; high plasma levels of homocysteine can be related either to genetic aberrations or to reduced blood concentrations of folate and vitamin B12. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of Stressen on blood levels of this amino acid in patients affected by cardiovascular disease or in healthy hyperhomocysteinemic subjects, considered at risk of coronary diseases, due to familiar anamnesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Homocysteinemia was evaluated by means of an immunoenzymatic method in 26 subjects with basal values > 15 micromol/l and treated with Stressen, a 10 ml bottle twice daily. RESULTS: After 30 days of drug consumption, mean value of total homocysteinemia was 11.6 +/- 1.86 micromol/l, corresponding to a statistically significant mean reduction of 42.8% of basal values. CONCLUSIONS: Stressen significantly decreased total homocysteinemia in this studied population, showing to be suitable for prevention of cardiovascular and thromboembolic diseases.