Dietary supplement S-adenosyl-L-methionine (AdoMet) effects on plasma homocysteine levels in healthy human subjects: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if exogenous S-adenosyl-l-methionine (AdoMet), a commonly used nutritional supplement, increases the level of plasma homocysteine (Hcy), a potential cardiovascular risk factor, in healthy human subjects.


METHODS
Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial.


METHODS
Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.


METHODS
Fifty-two (52) healthy human volunteers.


METHODS
Subjects received placebo or AdoMet (800 mg per day) for 4 weeks. Hcy levels were measured before and after administration of AdoMet or placebo.


METHODS
The primary outcome measure was change in Hcy level. Secondary outcome measures included an interim Hcy determination (at 2 weeks) and changes in levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), lipids, and alanine aminotransferase.


RESULTS
There was no statistically significant change in Hcy between groups. Similarly, no statistically significant differences in change in Hcy or hsCRP levels were observed at 2 or 4 weeks. There was a small but statistically significant increase (p < 0.04) in alanine aminotransferase at week 2 and a statistically significant decrease (p < 0.04) in total cholesterol in the AdoMet group compared with the placebo group.


CONCLUSIONS
AdoMet at a daily dose of 800 mg for 4 weeks does not appear to significantly affect Hcy levels in the blood.
Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA. michael.thompson@phci.org
Michael A
MA
Thompson
Brent A
BA
Bauer
Laura L
LL
Loehrer
Stephen S
SS
Cha
Jayawant N
JN
Mandrekar
Amit
A
Sood
Dietlind L
DL
Wahner-Roedler
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012436:S-Adenosylmethionine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D055815:Young Adult
D006710:Homocysteine; D012436:S-Adenosylmethionine; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D002784:Cholesterol; D000410:Alanine Transaminase