This short video explains the different causes of Homocystinuria, how it effects the body, and how it can be treated.
We will cover the chemical processes in the body that form Homocysteine. The enzyme deficiencies that lead to Homocystinuria, and how Homocystinuria can be treated.
When you eat foods such as meat, fish, eggs, or cheese, your body takes in an amino acid called Methionine. Your body then metabolizes or breaks down Methionine into another amino acid called Homocysteine.
If your body cannot properly break down Homocysteine into other amino acids, Homocysteine can build up in your blood.
This route map shows the processes involved in Homocysteine metabolism or how the body breaks down Homocysteine. Methionine is converted by the body to Homocysteine, represented here, by the blue cars changing to purple cars. Homocysteine levels are controlled by three pathways; the Transsulfuration Pathway, the Folate-Dependent Remethylation Pathway, and the Folate Non-dependent Remethylation Pathway. The combined activity of these pathways determines the levels of Homocysteine and cells, and the blood stream. High levels of Homocysteine lead to Homocystinuria which is harmful to the body. Normally the routes run smoothly, but in Homocystinuria, enzyme deficiencies can block a pathway and cause a dangerous buildup of Homocysteine. Now let's look at how this can occur.
The first and main route of Homocysteine metabolism is the Transsulfuration Pathway which converts Homocysteine into Cysteine, another amino acid. Cysteine is represented by the white cars.
This process depends on the enzyme, CBS, represented here by a car wash. CBS is helped by Vitamin B6, represented here as the nozzle. When the car wash malfunctions, and the pathway becomes blocked, the conversion of Homocysteine to Cysteine is impaired, leading to a buildup of Homocysteine. This is known as Homocystinuria due to CBS Deficiency or Classical Homocystinuria.
Classical Homocystinuria is divided into two types; Vitamin B6 responsive and Vitamin B6 non-responsive. This will be discussed more later.
The second route of Homocysteine metabolism is the Remethylation Pathway that depends on Folate, a B vitamin. This pathway converts Homocysteine back to Methionine. This conversion depends on the enzyme, MTHFR, represented here by the paint supplying the paint spray unit. When there's no paint in the drum, the paint spray can't function, causing the cars - or Homocysteine - to back up. This type of Homocystinuria is known as MTHFR Deficiency, a second enzyme Methionine Synthase or MS, is represented here by the barrier. MS is also needed to convert Homocysteine back to Methionine. Defects in the metabolism of Cobalamin, also known as B12, can cause the MS enzyme to malfunction. If this happens, the barrier cannot function and cars cannot enter the paint spray, again causing the cars or Homocysteine to back up. This type of Homocystinuria is known as a Colbalamin Co-factor Metabolism Defect or CBL Defect which includes many different subtypes.
The third pathway controlling Homocysteine levels is the Folate Non-dependent Remethylation Pathway. Remethylation of Homocysteine is represented by a second paint spray unit. This pathway depends on Betaine which occurs naturally in the body when small amounts of it are ingested from certain foods. However, depending on the amount of Betaine in the body, this pathway can get overwhelmed, and becomes jammed with traffic if other pathways are blocked.
If any of these pathways is not functioning correctly, Homocysteine levels within cells rise and Homocysteine is released into the blood.
Homocystinuria can have serious harmful effects on the body depending on the type of Homocystinuria. Symptoms may include eye and vision problems, blood clots, bone problems such as weak bones, or problems with the brain that effect learning, growth and development.
The treatment of Homocystinuria varies depending on the type. The goal of treatment is to decrease high Homocysteine blood levels to prevent or reduce further harm to the body.
We'll talk first about treatment for people with CBS Deficiency or Classical Homocystinuria.
Vitamin B6 supplements are very important for people who are responsive to Vitamin B6. Shown here, Vitamin B6 can activate the CBS car wash and reduce the build-up of Homocysteine by converting Homocysteine to Cysteine.
However, Vitamin B6 supplements are not effective for people who are not responsive to Vitamin B6.
Most people who are non-responsive to Vitamin B6, must follow a Methionine restricted diet that's very low in protein. This helps reduce the intake of Methionine and helps reduce the build-up of Homocysteine. Other B vitamins, Folate, and/or Vitamin B12 may be included in treatment regardless of responsiveness to Vitamin B6.
For people with a CBL Defect, Vitamin B12 injections are an important part of treatment.
As shown here, when the MS enzyme is not functioning properly, cars cannot enter the paint spray and they get backed up. When the Vitamin B12 switch is turned on, the MS barrier can move again, allowing the cars to enter the paint spray unit, reducing the build-up of Homocysteine.
CYSTADANE® (betaine anhydrous for oral solution) is indicated in children and adults for the treatment of Homocystinuria to decrease high Homocysteine blood levels. The following are considered to be Homocystinuria disorders: CBS Deficiency, MTHFR Deficiency, CBL Defect. As shown here, CYSTADANE® can help with the Folate Non-Dependent Remethylation Pathway. The addition of CYSTADANE® increases the performance of the paint spray unit to convert more Homocysteine back to Methionine; the cars move faster through the paint spray unit and the build-up of Homocysteine cars is thereby reduced.
Hypermethioninemia in Patients with CBS Deficiency: CYSTADANE® may worsen high Methionine blood levels and accumulation of excess fluid in the brain has been reported. If you've been told you have CBS Deficiency, your Doctor will be monitoring your Methionine blood levels to see if changes in your diet and dosage are necessary. Most common side effects were nausea and gastrointestinal distress based on a survey of Doctors.
The recommended dose of CYSTADANE® in adults and children 3 years and older is 3 grams twice a day. In children younger than 3 years, the dose may start at 50 milligrams per kilogram twice a day and then be increased weekly by 50 milligrams per kilogram.
CYSTADANE® is the only FDA approved Betaine Anhydrous prescription medication that is indicated for the treatment of Homocystinuria to decrease high Homocysteine blood levels. CYSTADANE® is manufactured according to the high quality and consistency standards required for prescription drugs. CYSTADANE® contains only Betaine Anhydrous which is Betaine in powder form. There are no other ingredients. Financial assistance programs are available to help eligible patients.
Important Safety Information: Hypermethioninemia in patients with CBS Deficiency: CYSTADANE® may worsen high Methionine blood levels and accumulation of excess fluid in the brain has been reported. If you have been told you have CBS Deficiency, your Doctor will be monitoring your Methionine blood levels to see if changes in your diet and dosage are necessary. Most common side effects were nausea and gastrointestinal distress based on a survey of Doctors. To report suspected side effects, contact Recordati Rare Diseases Inc. at +1 (888) 575-8344 or FDA, at +1 (800) FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch
