Abstract
Elevated concentrations of homocysteine and low concentrations of folate may lead to a proinflammatory state that could explain their relation to vascular disease risk. We investigated the effect of lowering homocysteine concentrations by means of folic acid supplementation on markers of inflammation. Methods: In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial among 530 men and postmenopausal women with homocysteine concentrations of 1.8 mg/L or higher (¿13 ¿mol/L) at screening, we investigated the effect of folic acid supplementation (0.8 mg/d) vs placebo for 1 year on serum concentrations of C-reactive protein, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1, oxidized low-density lipoprotein, and autoantibodies against oxidized low-density lipoprotein. Results: After 1 year of supplementation, concentrations of serum folate increased by 400% (95% confidence interval [CI], 362%-436%), and those of homocysteine decreased by 28% (95% CI, 24%-36%) in the folic group compared with the placebo group. However, changes in plasma concentrations of the inflammatory markers were observed. Conclusions: Although homocysteine is associated with vascular disease risk in the general population, marked lowering of slightly elevated homocysteine concentrations by means of 1-year folic acid supplementation does influence inflammatory responses involving C-reactive protein, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1, oxidized low-density lipoprotein, and autoantibodies against oxidized low-density lipoprotein.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1388-1394 |
| Journal | Archives of Internal Medicine |
| Volume | 165 |
| Issue number | 12 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2005 |
Keywords
- intercellular-adhesion molecule-1
- coronary-artery-disease
- low-density-lipoprotein
- placebo-controlled trial
- acid plus vitamin-b-6
- c-reactive protein
- folic-acid
- myocardial-infarction
- oxidized ldl
- induced hyperhomocysteinemia