Homocysteine obviously induces the apoptosis of HUVECs, and this effect is significantly attenuated by the pretreatment with L-cystathionine. Furthermore, L-cystathionine decreases the production of mitochondrial superoxide anion and the expression of Bax and restrained its translocation to mitochondria, increases mitochondrial membrane potential, inhibits mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) opening, suppresses the leakage of cytochrome c from mitochondria into the cytoplasm, and downregulated activities of caspase-9 and caspase-3.
L-Cystathionine is an important metabolic intermediate in the L-cysteine transsulfuration pathway from L-methionine via L-homocysteine in mammalian tissues.