Dimethylglycine supplementation does not affect plasma homocysteine concentrations in pre-dialysis chronic renal failure patients.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether daily dimethylglycine supplementation affects plasma homocysteine concentrations. DESIGN AND METHODS: A randomized, blinded, crossover design was used. Seven pre-dialysis chronic renal failure patients consumed 400 mg of dimethylglycine or placebo daily for 28 days. Fasting blood samples and 12-h urine samples were collected at baseline and at the end of each treatment period for analysis. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in plasma homocysteine (P = 0.624), glycine betaine (P = 0.452) and methionine (P = 0.457) concentrations between dimethylglycine and placebo treatments. CONCLUSION: Daily supplementation with dimethylglycine does not affect plasma homocysteine.