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Document Details : Title: Changes of homocysteine levels and arterial endothelial function in patients with high risk of coronary artery disease after 6-month folic acid supplementation Author(s): GUO, Hangyuan , LEE, Jong-Dae , XING, Yangbo , CHENG, Jianfeng , UEDA, Takanori , TOYODA, Kiyohiro , GESHI, Tooru Journal: Acta Cardiologica Volume: 59 Issue: 5 Date: October 2004 Pages: 503-506 DOI: 10.2143/AC.59.5.2005223 Abstract : Objectives — This study aimed to assess whether folic acid supplementation could produce longer-term (6-month) improvements in homocysteine levels and arterial endothelial function in patients with a high risk (3 or more traditional risk factors) of coronary artery disease (CAD) and hyperhomocysteinaemia. Methods — Thirty-one adults with 3 or more traditional risk factors of CAD and hyperhomocysteinaemia were selected, without CAD (the criterion of CAD is that more than one main vessel has an obstruction ? 50%) by coronary angiography. All subjects were given folic acid (5 mg/day) for 6 months. Fasting plasma homocysteine levels were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Plasma folic acid and vitamin B12 levels were measured with immunoassay. Arterial endothelial function was measured as flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery using high-resolution B-mode ultrasound. Results — Folic acid supplementation for 6 months was associated with a significant increase in mean (± SD) plasma levels of folic acid (4.6 ± 1.4 μg/l to 9.1 ± 2.5 μg/l; P < 0.01) and a significant decline in homocysteine levels (18.3 ± 3.9 μmol/l to 11.5 ± 2.8 μmol/l; P < 0.01). Flow-mediated dilation also improved significantly, from 6.8% ± 2.1% to 8.9% ± 1.7% (P < 0.01). Conclusion — These results demonstrate that long-term (6-month) folic acid administration significantly declines homocysteine levels and improves arterial endothelial function and has potential implications for the prevention of atherosclerosis in adults with 3 or more traditional risk factors of CAD and hyperhomocysteinaemia. |
