title: Effects of folic acid on dyslipidemia and serum homocysteine in a rat model of cholestasis and hepatic fibrosis.
abstract: The liver is the major site for storage and metabolism of folate. Folate deficiency is common in many liver diseases and causes severe effects on cellular metabolism and increases oxidative stress and the homocysteine (Hcy) level. The objective of this research was to investigate the effects of folic acid on dyslipidemia and serum Hcy concentrations in an experimental rat model of cholestasis. Eighty-one male Wistar rats were divided into nine groups: control, sham-operated, folic acid control, bile duct-ligated (BDL), and BDL+ folic acid groups. In folic acid treated groups, folic acid (1, 5, and 10 mg/kg body weight) was given orally for 28 days. After taking blood and liver samples, plasma lipid profiles and Hcy and hepatic reduced and oxidized glutathione concentrations were measured. Histopathological features of cholestasis were assessed by Masson's trichrome staining. Treatment of folic acid in BDL rats significantly prevented the progression of hepatic fibrosis and improved the serum and liver biochemical changes. These results suggest that folic acid protects the liver against cholestasis by reducing serum Hcy and by its antioxidant properties. Folic acid can be an important therapeutic intervention in dyslipidemia caused by cholestasis.
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Mohammadian
authors.affiliation: Akram Eidi, PhD, Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran, tel./fax +9821 44865939, e-mail: eidi.akram@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Akram
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Eidi
authors.forename: Pejman
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mortazavi
authors.forename: Meyed Mohammad
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Tavangar
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Asghari
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002780:Cholestasis, Intrahepatic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D019610:Cytoprotection; D018450:Disease Progression; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008106:Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D008055:Lipids; D006710:Homocysteine; D005492:Folic Acid; D005978:Glutathione