Research article summary (published 30 Aug 2009):

Randomized clinical trial of folate supplementation in patients with peripheral arterial disease.

Full Abstract

BACKGROUND: The aim was to determine whether folate supplementation improved arterial function in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). METHODS: Individuals with PAD were randomly assigned to receive 400 microg folic acid (45 patients) or 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) (48) daily, or placebo (40) for 16 weeks. Primary endpoints were changes in plasma total homocysteine (tHcy), ankle : brachial pressure index (ABPI) and pulse wave velocity (PWV). Secondary outcomes were changes in plasma inflammatory markers. RESULTS: Plasma tHcy was significantly reduced in folic acid and 5-MTHF groups compared with controls: median difference: - 2.12 (95 per cent confidence interval - 3.70 to - 0.75) micromol/l (P = 0.002) and - 2.07 (-3.48 to - 0.54) micromol/l (P = 0.007) respectively. ABPI improved significantly: median difference 0.07 (0.04 to 0.11) (P < 0.001) and 0.05 (0.01 to 0.10) (P = 0.009) respectively. Brachial-knee PWV (bk-PWV) decreased significantly in individuals receiving 5-MTHF and tended to be reduced in those taking folic acid compared with controls: median difference: - 1.10 (-2.20 to - 0.20) m/s (P = 0.011) and - 0.90 (-2.10 to 0.00) m/s (P = 0.051) respectively. Plasma levels of inflammatory markers were not affected. CONCLUSION: Folate administration reduced plasma homocysteine, and slightly improved ABPI and bk-PWV. (c) 2009 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Author information

Author/s: Khandanpour, N (N); Armon, M P (MP); Jennings, B (B); Finglas, P M (PM); Willis, G (G); Clark, A (A); Meyer, F J (FJ);

Affiliation: Vascular Unit, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Trust, Norwich, UK. nkh950(-atsign-)yahoo.com

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: The British journal of surgery (Br J Surg), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Sep; vol 96 (issue 9) : pp 990-8

Dates: Created 2009/08/19; Completed 2009/09/16;

PMID: 19672935, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 9/16/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Aged Aged, 80 and over Ankle Brachial Index Blood Flow Velocity - drug effects Cardiovascular Agents - administration & dosage Dietary Supplements Double-Blind Method Female

Folic Acid - administration & dosage Homocysteine - metabolism Humans Intermittent Claudication - blood; diet therapy; physiopathology Male Middle Aged Tetrahydrofolates - administration & dosage Treatment Outcome

Associated Chemicals: Cardiovascular Agents (0) ; Tetrahydrofolates (0) ; 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (134-35-0) ; Homocysteine (454-28-4) ; Folic Acid (59-30-3)

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