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Study on circadian variation in folate pharmacokinetics
Eric Ahn1, Bhushan Kapur, Gideon Koren
1Division of Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.
Summary
This study found no evidence of circadian variation in folate pharmacokinetics. Therefore, taking folic acid in the evening or morning does not impact its effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacokinetics
- Nutritional Science
- Reproductive Health
Background:
- Prenatal multivitamins like PregVit separate folic acid from iron and zinc.
- Folic acid is administered in the evening tablet to mitigate interactions and morning sickness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the existence of circadian rhythm in human folate pharmacokinetics.
- To evaluate the impact of administration timing on folic acid absorption.
Main Methods:
- A crossover study design was employed with six healthy women.
- Participants received one tablet of PregVit p.m. (containing 1.1 mg folic acid) in the morning or evening.
- Serum folate levels were monitored over 10 hours, with area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) used for comparison.
Main Results:
- No significant differences were observed in mean AUC values between morning and evening administration (P = 0.17).
- Peak serum folate concentrations and time to peak were similar regardless of administration time (P = 0.75).
Conclusions:
- The study provides no evidence for circadian variation in folate pharmacokinetics.
- The timing of PregVit p.m. administration (morning vs. evening) does not affect folate effectiveness.