title: Effect of folic acid supplementation on homocysteine, serum total antioxidant capacity, and malondialdehyde in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Metformin is widely used in patients with type 2 diabetes, but it may decrease vitamin B12 and folate levels and increase levels of homocysteine (Hcy). Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHC) and hyperglycemia induce oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes. Thus, this study was performed to determine the effects of folate supplementation on the concentration of homocysteine, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and malondialdehyde (MDA).
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial. Sixty-eight men with type 2 diabetes participated in the study with written consent. Patients were divided randomly into 2 groups: folic acid 5 mg/d and placebo. All patients received the tablets for 8 weeks. Anthropometric and nutrient intake data were obtained from each patient. Baseline and eighth-week homocysteine, total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde, folate, and B12 levels were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After folate supplementation in the folic acid group, homocysteine was significantly decreased (15.1 ± 3.2 to 12.1 ± 3.1 μmol/L, p < 0.001) and folate and B12 levels were significantly increased (p < 0.001). A significant increase in total antioxidant capacity (0.96 ± 0.2 to 1.14 ± 0.3 mmol Fe2+/L, p < 0.001) and a significant decrease in malondialdehyde (2.6 ± 0.7 to 1.7 ± 0.2 μmol/L, p < 0.001) were observed in the folic acid group, whereas no significant changes occurred in the placebo group (p > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pharmacological doses of folate supplementation lowered plasma homocysteine and serum malondialdehyde levels and improved serum total antioxidant capacity and folate and B12 levels in patients with type 2 diabetes.
authors: Nutritional Research Center, Department of Biochemistry & Nutrition, Faculty of Health & Nutrition, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors: Vahide
authors: V
authors: Aghamohammadi
authors: Bahram Pourghassem
authors: BP
authors: Gargari
authors: Akbar
authors: A
authors: Aliasgharzadeh
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood*; D008687:Metformin / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D006710:Homocysteine; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D008687:Metformin; D005492:Folic Acid; D014805:Vitamin B 12