title: Association between low-dose folic acid supplementation and blood lipids concentrations in male and female subjects with atherosclerosis risk factors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Folic acid (FA) is one of the B complex vitamins. It is thought that FA deficiency promotes atherosclerosis formation in arterial endothelium. FA, acting through reducing homocysteine (Hcy) levels, may contribute to decreased cholesterol (Ch) synthesis. The aim of this study was to analyze the association of low-dose folic acid supplementation with blood lipids concentrations in subjects with atherosclerosis risk factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study enrolled 124 Caucasian individuals (60 M, ages 20-39; and 64 F, ages 19-39) with atherosclerosis risk factors (family history of premature ischemic stroke, arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia, overweight and obesity, cigarette smoking, and low level of physical activity). The participants were asked to take FA at a low dose of 0.4 mg/24 h for 12 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  FA levels increased in females (6.3 vs. 12.5 ng/dL; p=0.001) and males (6.4 vs. 11.4 ng/dL; p=0.001) and Hcy levels decreased (10.6 vs. 8.3 µmol/L; p=0.001 and 11.5 vs. 9.3; p=0.001, respectively). A significant reduction in mean concentration of total cholesterol in females (203.4 vs. 193.1 mg/dL; p=0.001) and in males (209.5 vs. 201.9; p=0.002) was observed. The low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels decreased in females and in males (107.4 vs. 99.9 mg/dL; p=0.001 and 121.5 vs. 115.1; p=0.002, respectively). The apoAI concentrations increased in smoking women and in men with BMI≥25 kg/m2 (p=0.032 and p=0.024, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Low-dose FA supplementation has a beneficial effect on blood lipids through decreasing concentrations of total cholesterol and LDL-C and increasing concentrations of apoAI.
authors.affiliation: Independent Laboratory of Family Physician Education, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Poland.
authors.forename: Artur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mierzecki
authors.forename: Karolina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kłoda
authors.forename: Hanna
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bukowska
authors.forename: Kornel
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chełstowski
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Makarewicz-Wujec
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kozłowska-Wojciechowska
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I / Q000097:blood; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking
chemical_list: D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I; D008055:Lipids; D006710:Homocysteine; D005492:Folic Acid; D002784:Cholesterol