title: Folate status in type 2 diabetic patients with and without retinopathy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Folate deficiency is associated with cardiovascular disease, megaloblastic anemia, and with hyperhomocysteinemia. This study has been undertaken to investigate the role of folate status during the progression of the diabetic retinopathy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We measured the plasma levels of homocysteine, folic acid, and red cell folate in 70 diabetic type 2 patients with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), 65 with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), 96 without diabetic retinopathy, and 80 healthy subjects used as a control group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found higher plasma levels of homocysteine in the NPDR group compared to the control group (P<0.001) and in the PDR group compared to control group (P<0.001) and NPDR group (P<0.01). The severity of diabetic retinopathy was associated with lower folic acid and red cell folate levels, and a significant difference was observed between PDR and NPDR groups (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The folate status could play a role in the development and progression of diabetic retinopathy.
authors: Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors: Giulia
authors: G
authors: Malaguarnera
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy ; Neurovisual Science Technology (NEST), Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors: Caterina
authors: C
authors: Gagliano
authors: Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors: Salvatore
authors: S
authors: Salomone
authors: Gerontology and Bone Metabolic Disease Section, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Giordano
authors: Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors: Claudio
authors: C
authors: Bucolo
authors: Department of Medical and Paediatric Sciences, University of Catania, Italy.
authors: Antonino
authors: A
authors: Pappalardo
authors: Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors: Filippo
authors: F
authors: Drago
authors: Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy ; IRCCS Association Oasi Maria S.S.-Institute for Research on Mental Retardation and Brain Aging, Troina, Enna, Italy.
authors: Filippo
authors: F
authors: Caraci
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors: Teresio
authors: T
authors: Avitabile
authors: Department of Medical and Paediatric Sciences, University of Catania, Italy.
authors: Massimo
authors: M
authors: Motta
keywords: diabetes mellitus; homocysteine; nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy; proliferative diabetic retinopathy