Related Experiment Videos

No effect of B vitamins on ADMA levels in patients at increased cardiovascular risk

A M E Spoelstra-de Man1, T Teerlink, C B Brouwer

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Clinical Endocrinology
|May 3, 2006
PubMed

Insights

B vitamins significantly lower homocysteine levels but do not impact asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels in high cardiovascular risk populations. This suggests B vitamin therapy may not be beneficial for managing ADMA, a key cardiovascular risk factor.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Nutritional Biochemistry
  • Clinical Pharmacology

Background:

  • Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is a recognized cardiovascular risk factor, with elevated levels often observed in hyperhomocysteinemia.
  • The metabolic pathways of ADMA and homocysteine are interconnected, suggesting potential therapeutic links.
  • Existing research on B vitamin supplementation's effect on ADMA levels is limited and yields inconsistent findings.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of B vitamin supplementation on ADMA levels in individuals with high cardiovascular risk.
  • To assess whether B vitamins, known to reduce homocysteine, also influence ADMA and related markers.

Main Methods:

  • Study I: 110 siblings of patients with atherosclerotic disease received folic acid and pyridoxine or placebo for 1 year.
  • Study II: 41 type 2 diabetes patients with hyperhomocysteinemia received folic acid or placebo for 6 months.
  • Measurements included homocysteine, ADMA, and ADMA/arginine ratio, with statistical adjustments for confounding factors.

Main Results:

  • Homocysteine levels decreased significantly (43% in Study I, 28% in Study II) with B vitamin treatment.
  • No significant changes were observed in ADMA, arginine/ADMA ratio, or SDMA levels in either study group.
  • Regression analyses confirmed the lack of effect of B vitamins on ADMA, independent of baseline values and gender.

Conclusions:

  • B vitamin supplementation effectively reduces plasma homocysteine levels in high-risk populations.
  • Despite lowering homocysteine, B vitamins demonstrate no beneficial effect on ADMA levels or related markers.
  • These findings indicate that B vitamin therapy may not be a viable strategy for modulating ADMA in cardiovascular risk management.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Vitamins01:30

Vitamins

Vitamins, derived from the Latin word for life, are essential organic substances required in small quantities for optimal growth and overall well-being. Unlike other organic nutrients, vitamins don't act as sources of energy or building materials but rather facilitate these nutrients' utilization by the body. Vitamins are predominantly coenzymes, assisting enzymes in specific chemical actions, like the oxidation of glucose for energy involving B vitamins. Most vitamins are not produced in our...
Atherosclerosis III: Management01:26

Atherosclerosis III: Management

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...
Exercise and Cardiovascular Response01:20

Exercise and Cardiovascular Response

Exercise significantly impacts cardiovascular response, which is crucial for understanding patient health and designing effective treatment plans.
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers01:19

Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers

Cardiac biomarkers are critical in diagnosing, prognosing, and managing cardiovascular diseases. Routine measurement of specific biomarkers such as B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), C-reactive protein (CRP), and homocysteine (Hcy) is common practice in clinical settings to evaluate heart function and predict cardiovascular events.
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures01:26

Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures

Effective preventive measures for coronary artery disease (CAD) focus on controlling modifiable risk factors, including cholesterol abnormalities and lifestyle changes.Cholesterol ManagementFirst, the Mediterranean diet and the American Heart Association advocate for maintaining low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels below 100 mg/dL, with a more stringent recommendation of below 70 mg/dL for individuals at high risk. LDL cholesterol, often termed "bad cholesterol," can lead to the...
Endocarditis III: Medical Management01:18

Endocarditis III: Medical Management

Infective endocarditis management involves a multifaceted approach encompassing infection prevention, lifestyle modifications, pharmacological therapy, and surgical management.Infection Prevention:Hand Hygiene: Thorough handwashing is crucial to prevent the spread of infection. Hand hygiene should be performed regularly, especially before and after using the restroom.Oral Hygiene: Good oral hygiene is essential. It includes brushing teeth immediately after waking up and before bed, flossing...