Folic acid supplementation and chronic kidney disease progression

Christina M Wyatt1, J David Spence2

  • 1Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.

Kidney International
|November 26, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Folic acid supplementation with enalapril in hypertensive adults showed significant reductions in stroke risk and chronic kidney disease progression. This contrasts with previous studies on B vitamins in kidney disease patients.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Previous research indicated no benefit or potential harm from B vitamin supplementation in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients.
  • Hypertension is a major risk factor for CKD progression and cardiovascular events like stroke.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of folic acid supplementation combined with enalapril on stroke risk and CKD progression in hypertensive adults.
  • To reconcile discordant findings regarding B vitamin supplementation in CKD populations.

Main Methods:

  • A large-scale randomized trial conducted in China.
  • Inclusion of adult patients with hypertension, comparing enalapril alone versus enalapril plus folic acid.

Main Results:

  • Statistically significant, albeit small, reductions in the risk of first stroke.
  • Demonstrated significant reductions in the progression of chronic kidney disease.

Conclusions:

  • Folic acid addition to enalapril therapy may offer protective benefits against stroke and CKD progression in hypertensive individuals.
  • Discrepancies with prior studies may stem from differences in study populations and interventions.

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