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Reduction of homocysteine in elderly with heart failure improved vascular function and blood pressure control but did

Sven E Andersson1, Marie-Louise Edvinsson, Lars Edvinsson

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Lund University Hospital, S-226 85 Lund, Sweden. sven.ea@telia.com

Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology
|October 21, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Supplementation with B vitamins normalized high homocysteine levels in heart failure patients. This improved blood vessel function and lowered blood pressure, but did not affect inflammation.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Nutritional Science
  • Vascular Biology

Background:

  • Hyperhomocysteinaemia is prevalent in elderly heart failure (HF) patients.
  • Elevated homocysteine is linked to endothelial dysfunction, impaired vasodilation, and inflammation in HF.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if B-vitamin supplementation (B6, B12, folate) can normalize hyperhomocysteinaemia in HF patients.
  • To determine if normalizing homocysteine improves associated vascular and inflammatory parameters.

Main Methods:

  • Open-label study without placebo control.
  • Included HF patients with plasma homocysteine > 15 microM.
  • Measured cutaneous vascular reactivity, blood pressure, inflammatory markers, and endothelial function pre- and post-intervention.

Main Results:

  • B-vitamin treatment significantly reduced homocysteine levels to near normal.
  • Enhanced hyperemic response to acetylcholine, indicating improved endothelial function.
  • Reduced mean arterial blood pressure and pulse rate.
  • No significant effects observed on inflammatory markers or subjective health quality.

Conclusions:

  • Hyperhomocysteinaemia in HF patients is multifactorial, potentially influenced by folate deficiency, inflammation, and renal function.
  • B-vitamin supplementation may improve vasodilatory capacity and reduce blood pressure in HF patients.
  • Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and explore underlying mechanisms.

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