Low-dose folic acid lowers plasma homocysteine levels in women of child-bearing age.
QJM
; 95(11): 733-40, 2002 Nov.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-12391385
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Ongoing clinical trials are investigating whether lowering plasma homocysteine reduces the risk of vascular disease. If so, food fortification with folic acid will be the likely result, and sub-optimal amounts are likely to be preferred, for safety reasons. Dose-finding studies are needed before the outcomes of these trials, to establish the benefits and risks of folic acid consumption over the widest intake range likely to be encountered.AIM:
To find the lowest dose of folic acid that effectively reduces plasma homocysteine in premenopausal women.DESIGN:
Double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial.METHODS:
Women of child-bearing age (n=95) were randomly allocated to 0, 100, 200, or 400 microg/day of folic acid. Red-cell folate and plasma homocysteine were measured at baseline and after 10 weeks supplementation.RESULTS:
Median red cell folate levels increased significantly in the 200 microg(p=0.0001) and 400 microg(p=0.0001) groups; but not in the placebo (0 microg) (p=0.25) or the 100 microg (p=0.5) groups. Only the 200 microg and the 400 microg groups had significant decreases in plasma homocysteine, (p=0.04 and p=0.0008, respectively). However, when subjects whose initial plasma homocysteine was <8 micromol/l (already optimally low) were removed from the analysis, there were significant plasma homocysteine decreases in all three treatment groups, but not the placebo group.DISCUSSION:
In this sub-population, low doses of folic acid significantly lower plasma homocysteine. This could be achieved safely by fortification.
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Ácido Fólico
/
Hematínicos
/
Homocisteína
Tipo de estudo:
Clinical_trials
/
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
QJM
Ano de publicação:
2002
Tipo de documento:
Article