title: Is there an effect of folic acid supplementation on the coagulation factors and C-reactive protein concentrations in subjects with atherosclerosis risk factors?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Folic acid (FA) may delay the formation of atherosclerotic lesions. Increased plasma levels of von Willebrand factor (VWF) are observed in cardiovascular disease, which leads to higher risk of thrombosis. Fibrinogen (Fb) is a well-documented risk factor of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of FA supplementation on the Fb, VWF and C-reactive protein (CRP) plasma concentrations in subjects with atherosclerosis risk factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study enrolled 124 Caucasian individuals (60 M, 64 F) with atherosclerosis risk factors--family history of premature ischaemic stroke, arterial hypertension, dyslipidaemia, overweight and obesity, cigarette smoking and low physical activity. The participants were asked to take FA in the low dose of 0.4 mg/24 h for three months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After FA supplementation a significant reduction of the VWF concentrations in females (76.6 vs 72.3%; p=0.028) and in males (75.5 vs 66.9%; p=0.001) was observed. Among women and men with dyslipidaemia concentrations of VWF decreased after FA supplementation (76.8% vs 69.6%; p=0.003 and 76.7% vs 67.8%; p=0.001 respectively). Among females and males with BMI ≥25 kg/m² concentrations of VWF decreased only in men (77.6% vs 66.5%; p=0.001). In female and male smokers supplementation of FA decreased VWF concentrations (82.5% vs 74.4%; p=0.012 and 76.6% vs 69.5%; p=0.036 respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of our study suggest that there is an effect of FA supplementation on VWF concentrations in subjects with atherosclerosis risk factors.
authors.affiliation: Independent Laboratory of Family Physician Education, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, ul. Rybacka 1, 70-204 Szczecin, Poland. roklr@pum.edu.pl
authors.forename: Artur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mierzecki
authors.forename: Karolina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kłoda
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jastrzębska
authors.forename: Kornel
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chełstowski
authors.forename: Krystyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Honczarenko
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kozłowska-Wojciechowska
authors.forename: Marek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Naruszewicz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D015897:Comorbidity; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000378:metabolism; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult; D014841:von Willebrand Factor / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors; D014841:von Willebrand Factor; D005340:Fibrinogen; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D005492:Folic Acid