Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 4, 2026
08:45
LDL Cholesterol Uptake Assay Using Live Cell Imaging Analysis with Cell Health Monitoring
Published on: November 17, 2018
13.2K
Does folic acid decrease plasma homocysteine and improve endothelial function in patients with predialysis renal
J Thambyrajah1, M J Landray, F J McGlynn
1Division of Medical Sciences (Cardiology), University of Birmingham Birmingham, UK. J.Thambyrajah@bham.ac.uk
Circulation
|August 23, 2000
Summary
High-dose folic acid lowered hyperhomocysteinemia in chronic renal failure patients but did not improve endothelial function. This suggests folic acid may not reduce vascular disease burden in uremia.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent vascular risk factor linked to atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction.
- Chronic renal failure (CRF) is associated with both hyperhomocysteinemia and atherosclerosis.
- The impact of folic acid on vascular events in CRF patients remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of folic acid on endothelial function in patients with predialysis chronic renal failure.
- To determine if folic acid supplementation can improve vascular health markers in this patient population.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 100 predialysis CRF patients.
- Patients received either 5 mg of folic acid or a placebo daily for 12 weeks.
- Endothelial function was assessed via brachial artery dilation, serum nitrite/nitrate levels, and plasma von Willebrand factor concentration.
Main Results:
- Folic acid supplementation significantly increased folate levels and reduced hyperhomocysteinemia compared to placebo.
- No significant differences were observed in endothelium-dependent dilation, serum nitrite/nitrate, or plasma von Willebrand factor between the folic acid and placebo groups.
- Folic acid treatment lowered but did not normalize hyperhomocysteinemia levels.
Conclusions:
- High-dose folic acid effectively lowers, but does not normalize, hyperhomocysteinemia in predialysis CRF patients.
- Folic acid supplementation did not improve endothelial function in this cohort.
- These findings suggest that folic acid treatment may not mitigate the vascular disease burden associated with uremia.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Lipid-Lowering Drugs: Statins and Miscellaneous Agents
1.7K
Hyperlipidemia, a medical condition often referred to as high cholesterol, is characterized by abnormally elevated levels of lipids in the bloodstream. When present in excess, these lipids, specifically cholesterol and triglycerides, can lead to serious health complications, often involving cardiovascular diseases. Illnesses like atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and pancreatitis have all been linked to untreated hyperlipidemia. This means controlling and regulating cholesterol and triglyceride...
1.7K
01:18Lipids: Dietary Sources and Requirements
2.5K
Lipids are an essential component of a balanced human diet. Triglycerides, which make up the majority of dietary lipids, are found in both saturated fats—commonly present in meat, dairy products, and certain tropical plants like coconut, and hydrogenated oils such as margarine and baking shortenings (trans fats)—and unsaturated fats, which are abundant in seeds, nuts, olive oil, and most vegetable oils. The main sources of cholesterol include egg yolks, various meats and organ...
2.5K
01:29Cholesterol: Significance and Regulation
2.1K
Although not a source of energy, cholesterol plays a significant role as a foundational structure for bile salts, steroid hormones, and vitamin D, as well as being a crucial component of plasma membranes. Approximately 15% of blood cholesterol is derived from our diet, with the remainder synthesized from acetyl CoA by the liver and intestines. Cholesterol is eliminated from the body through its conversion into bile salts, which are eventually discarded in the feces.
Considering cholesterol and...
Considering cholesterol and...
2.1K
01:26Atherosclerosis III: Management
741
Management of atherosclerosis involves an integrated strategy encompassing pharmacological treatment, surgical interventions, lifestyle changes, and nutrition therapy to address the multifactorial nature of the disease.Pharmacological TherapyA cornerstone of atherosclerosis management is the use of pharmacological agents. Statins, such as atorvastatin, are pivotal in inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that catalyzes an initial step in cholesterol synthesis in the liver. This reduction in...
741
01:24Nephrotic Syndrome I : Introduction
1.2K
Nephrotic Syndrome is a chronic kidney disorder defined by clinical findings such as severe proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, hyperlipidemia, and edema. These symptoms result from damage to the glomeruli, the kidney’s filtering units, increasing their permeability to proteins.Definition and Meaning:Proteinuria, defined as the loss of more than 3.5 grams of protein per day in adults, is a crucial feature of nephrotic syndrome. This condition is often accompanied by edema, the accumulation of...
1.2K
01:24Nephrotic Syndrome III : Nursing Management
549
Nursing management for nephrotic syndrome adapts as the disease progresses, with strategies evolving to address advancing symptoms and complications.Early-Stage Management In the early stages, nursing interventions for nephrotic syndrome resemble those used in managing acute glomerulonephritis, focusing on symptom monitoring, fluid balance, and managing mild to moderate edema.Vital Signs: Regularly monitor blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, and temperature to promptly identify...
549