Francesco Bombardiere

(1) Background: this study aimed to determine whether a serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) threshold of 40 pg/mL represents a clinically relevant risk factor for vitamin D (VitD) deficiency and reduced bone mineral density (BMD). It also investigated potential genetic interactions influencing PTH regulation and skeletal health in patients with periodontitis. (2) Methods: a cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 1038 periodontitis patients (35–75 years). Serum PTH, VitD, calcium (Ca), phosphate (P), and urinary parameters were assessed. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to evaluate BMD in 261 subjects. Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) and estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) polymorphisms were genotyped, and composite genetic risk scores were calculated. Statistical analyses included correlation tests, subgroup comparisons, and regression models. (3) Results: sixty-two percent of individuals had PTH > 40 pg/mL, which was associated with significantly lower 25(OH)D and Ca levels and reduced T-scores (p < 0.05). PTH levels negatively correlated with BMD (Pearson’s r = –0.159, p = 0.0105). Patients with higher ERα polymorphism scores showed increased PTH values (p < 0.05), while VDR variants demonstrated a positive but no significant trend. (4) Conclusions: a PTH threshold of 40 pg/mL identifies individuals at higher risk of VitD deficiency and skeletal fragility, even without overt hypercalcemia. Genetic factors, particularly ERα variants, may contribute to elevated PTH levels, suggesting value in integrating biochemical, densitometric, and genetic screening for early bone health risk stratification.

Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is a medical condition characterized by an abnormally high level of homocysteine (Hcy) in the blood. Homocysteine is a toxic sulfur-containing amino acid that is produced during the metabolism of methionine. Under normal circumstances, Hcy is recycled back to methionine via the remethylation pathway, through the action of various enzymes and vitamins, particularly folic acid (vitamin B9) and B12 used when intracellular methionine levels are low, thus restoring the necessary levels to correctly maintain active protein synthesis. A second pathway, used in cases of intracellular methionine excess, (the trans-sulfuration pathway) is the one that recycles Hcy into cysteine (a precursor of glutathione), first passing through cystathionine (via the enzyme cystathionine beta-synthase), a reaction that requires vitamin B6 in its active form. HHcy has been identified as a risk factor for a variety of disorders, including cardiovascular diseases, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, osteoporosis and cancer. However, it remains unclear whether the slightly elevated concentration of Hcy (Hcy 7–10 μmol/L) is a causative factor or simply a marker of these pathologies. In human plasma, the concentration of Hcy ([Hcy]) is classified as mild (15 to 30 μmol/L), moderate (30 to 100 μmol/L), and severe (greater than 100 μmol/L). Interestingly, many laboratories continue to consider 25 μmol/L as normal. This review seeks to examine the controversial literature regarding the normal range of HHcy and emphasizes that even a [Hcy] level of 10 μmol/L may contribute to the development of several diseases, aiming to discuss whether it would be appropriate to lower the threshold of HHcy normal values.

Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is a medical condition characterized by an abnormally high level of homocysteine (Hcy) in the blood. Homocysteine is a toxic sulfur-containing amino acid that is produced during the metabolism of methionine. Under normal circumstances, Hcy is recycled back to methionine via the remethylation pathway, through the action of various enzymes and vitamins, particularly folic acid (vitamin B9) and B12 used when intracellular methionine levels are low, thus restoring the necessary levels to correctly maintain active protein synthesis. A second pathway, used in cases of intracellular methionine excess, (the trans-sulfuration pathway) is the one that recicles Hcy into cysteine (a precursor of glutathione), first passing through cystathionine (via the enzyme cystathionine beta-synthase), a reaction that requires vitamin B6 in its active form. HHcy has been identified as a risk factor for a variety of disorders, including cardiovascular diseases, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, osteoporosis and cancer. However, it remains unclear whether the slightly elevated concentration of Hcy (Hcy 7-10 μmol/L) is a causative factor or simply a marker of these pathologies. In human plasma, the concentration of Hcy ([Hcy]) is classified in mild (15 to 30 μmol/L), moderate (30 to 100 μmol/L), and severe (greater than 100 μmol/L). Interestingly, many laboratories continue to consider 25 μmol/L as normal. This review seeks to examine the controversial literature regarding the normal range of HHcy and emphasizes that even a [Hcy] level of 10 μmol/L may contribute to the development of several diseases, aiming to discuss whether it would be appropriate to lower the threshold of HHcy normal values.