Folate, homocysteine, endothelial function and cardiovascular disease. What is the link?
Elevated plasma homocysteine concentrations are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, but the relationship has not been proven to be causal. Folate is the strongest nutritional and pharmacological determinant of plasma homocysteine concentrations, which also interact with the genetic variation in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR). Endothelial dysfunction due to reduced nitric oxide bioavailability is an early feature of vascular pathology. This can be assessed noninvasively by measurement of flow-mediated dilatation. Human studies on folic acid, homocysteine and endothelial function are reported. It is proposed that folic acid in high doses may have beneficial effects on endothelial function, which are independent of homocysteine lowering.
Ashfield-Watt
P A
PA
Cardiovascular Sciences Research Group, Wales Heart Research Institute, University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff, United Kingdom.
Moat
S J
SJ
Doshi
S N
SN
McDowell
I F
IF
D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D006712:Homocystinuria / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D020138:Hyperhomocysteinemia / Q000150:complications; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2); D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D000587:Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-NH Group Donors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014815:Vitamins / Q000627:therapeutic use
D014815:Vitamins; D006710:Homocysteine; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D005492:Folic Acid; D000587:Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-NH Group Donors; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2)