The effect of oral folic acid upon plasma homocysteine, endothelial function and oxidative stress in patients with type 1 diabetes and microalbuminuria.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of oral folic acid supplementation upon plasma homocysteine (HCY), endothelial function and oxidative stress on patients with type 1 diabetes and microalbuminuria to test the hypothesis that oral folic acid would lower plasma HCY and thereby improve endothelial function and reduce oxidant stress in this high-risk group of patients.


METHODS
We measured plasma HCY, forearm blood flow, total antioxidant status and whole blood glutathione at baseline and after 2 months treatment with oral folic acid or placebo in 16 patients with type 1 diabetes and microalbuminuria.


RESULTS
Plasma HCY fell by 25% in the folic acid group but there was no difference in endothelial function or markers of oxidant stress in the treatment group.


CONCLUSIONS
Oral folic acid supplementation successfully lowered plasma HCY levels in patients with type 1 diabetes and microalbuminuria, however this was not associated with improvements in endothelial function or markers of oxidant stress.
Wotherspoon
F
F
Academic Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham, Portsmouth, UK.
Laight
D W
DW
Turner
C
C
Meeking
D R
DR
Allard
S E
SE
Munday
L J
LJ
Shaw
K M
KM
Cummings
M H
MH
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000419:Albuminuria / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000187:drug effects; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000150:complications / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005542:Forearm / Q000098:blood supply; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology*; D019323:omega-N-Methylarginine / Q000494:pharmacology
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D006710:Homocysteine; D019323:omega-N-Methylarginine; D005492:Folic Acid