Effect of folate supplementation on serum homocysteine and plasma total antioxidant capacity in hypercholesterolemic adults under lovastatin treatment: a double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial.
OBJECTIVE
Hypercholesterolemia is one of the predisposing factors of cardiovascular diseases. A positive correlation of homocysteine (Hcy) concentration with total cholesterol is described. Lovastatin, one of the most administered agents in hypercholesterolemia, is not effective in lowering the level of serum Hcy and increasing serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC). This study was performed to evaluate the effects of folate supplementation on lowering Hcy level and changes of TAC in asymptomatic hypercholesterolemic adults under lovastatin treatment.


METHODS
This was a double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial. Forty asymptomatic newly diagnosed hypercholesterolemic individuals were recruited. Patients were randomized into two groups: group A--20 patients supplemented for 8 weeks with folate (5mg daily) and group B--20 patients receiving placebo. Lovastatin was administered to both groups. Laboratory lipid profiles, serum Hcy and folate concentration, and TAC were measured at the beginning and after the 8(th) week of the study period.


RESULTS
After folate supplementation in group A subjects, serum Hcy was significantly decreased (13.35+/-5.01 micromol/L to 8.43+/-2.52 micromol/L, p=0.001), whereas no significant changes occurred in group B (p>0.05). A significant increase in TAC was only observed in group A (1.54+/-0.24 micromol/L to 1.96+/-0.42 micromol/L, p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Folate supplementation decreases the serum level of Hcy and increases TAC. It seems that a pharmacological dose of folate supplementation could potentially decrease the risk of cardiovascular diseases by reducing serum level of Hcy in adults with hypercholesterolemia.
Shidfar
Farzad
F
Gastrointestinal & Liver Disease Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. dr_farzad_shidfar@yahoo.com
Homayounfar
Reza
R
Fereshtehnejad
Seyed-Mohammad
SM
Kalani
Alireza
A
D000328:Adult; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood; D008148:Lovastatin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014803:Vitamin B Complex / Q000008:administration & dosage
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D008074:Lipoproteins; D006710:Homocysteine; D014803:Vitamin B Complex; D005492:Folic Acid; D008148:Lovastatin