Background:

L-Homocystine is the oxidized member of the L-homocysteine. Homocysteine is a pro-thrombotic factor, vasodilation impairing agent, pro-inflammatory factor and endoplasmatic reticulum-stress inducer used to study cardiovascular disease mechanisms.

A single or multiple doses of L-Homocystine administered to mice during organogenesis can aggravate the developmental disturbances caused by a single dose of VPA administered on GD 8. Whereas, VPA lowers significantly plasma FA and vitamin B12 concentrations, it has no direct impact on the homocysteine concentrations. Therefore, it is proposed that high levels of homocysteine disturb the FA, vitamin B12, and possibly methionine metabolism thus providing a favorable situation for VPA to interfere with the development of susceptible embryos[1].

参考文献:
[1]. Padmanabhan R, et al. Effect of maternal exposure to homocystine on sodium valproate-induced neural tube defects in the mouse embryos. Eur J Nutr. 2006 Sep;45(6):311-9