HYPERHOMOCYSTEINEMIA AND INFLAMMATORY PROCESSES: A PROGNOSTIC MARKER FOR COPD, CARDIOVASCULAR AND NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES

Abstract

The article analyzes the clinical and prognostic significance of homocysteine in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as well as its role in other inflammatory and systemic diseases. Homocysteine is considered a key biomarker of metabolic imbalance, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction. Current data on its involvement in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular, neurological, psychiatric, autoimmune, and oncological diseases are presented. Special attention is given to the role of homocysteine in COPD, where its elevated levels are associated with the severity of systemic inflammation, decreased lung function, increased frequency of exacerbations, risk of cardiovascular complications, and poor prognosis. The mechanisms of the relationship between homocysteine and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) levels as a potentially more sensitive indicator of vascular risk are discussed. The material is based on an analysis of recent studies demonstrating the importance of homocysteine as a universal prognostic marker for a wide range of chronic diseases. The findings confirm the need for further investigation of this biomarker to improve diagnostics, predict disease progression, and personalize patient therapy.