L-ascorbic acid improves the serum folate response to an oral dose of [6S]-5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid in healthy men.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of simultaneous administration of [6S]-5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid ([6S]-5-CH(3)H(4)PteGlu) with L-ascorbic acid (L-AA) on serum folate concentrations in healthy male subjects.


METHODS
A total of nine healthy male volunteers were recruited. Serum folate concentrations were measured before and up to 8 h after administration of each treatment (1) placebo, (2) 343 microg [6S]-5-CH(3)H(4)PteGlu), (3) 343 microg [6S]-5-CH(3)H(4)PteGlu) with 289.4 mg L-AA and (4) 343 microg [6S]-5-CH(3)H(4)PteGlu) with 973.8 mg L-AA (n=10 samples per treatment).


RESULTS
Serum folate concentrations significantly increased compared with baseline values, starting from 30 min after [6S]-5-CH(3)H(4)PteGlu administration and remained significantly higher than baseline values during the first 6 h for treatments 3 and 4, and during the first 4 h for treatment 2. Maximal serum folate responses were observed between 0.5 and 1.5 h after [6S]-5-CH(3)H(4)PteGlu consumption and significantly differed between treatments 2 and 4 (P<0.05). When [6S]-5-CH(3)H(4)PteGlu was concurrently administered with 289.4 or 973.8 mg L-AA, the total serum folate response, calculated as the area under the curve (AUC), was significantly improved (46.5+/-4.0 and 53.0+/-4.0 vs 34.3+/-3.8 h nmol/l, P<0.05). No significant difference in AUC was found between the 289.4 and the 973.8 mg L-AA treatments.


CONCLUSIONS
Administration of a physiological dose of [6S]-5-CH(3)H(4)PteGlu with L-AA significantly improved the measured serum folate response in folate saturated healthy men.
Verlinde
P H C J
PH
Centre for Food and Microbial Technology, Laboratory of Food Technology, Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 22, Heverlee, Belgium.
Oey
I
I
Hendrickx
M E
ME
Van Loey
A M
AM
Temme
E H M
EH
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019540:Area Under Curve; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001682:Biological Availability; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D013763:Tetrahydrofolates / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D014803:Vitamin B Complex / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D055815:Young Adult
D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D013763:Tetrahydrofolates; D014803:Vitamin B Complex; D005492:Folic Acid; D001205:Ascorbic Acid; C005984:5-methyltetrahydrofolate