A daily intake over two years of folic acid and vitamin b6 lowered plasma homocysteine concentrations among healthy siblings of patients with premature artherothrombotic

disease.

Dutch researchers enrolled, in the randomised placebo-controlled trial, 158 siblings of 167 patients with premature atherothrombotic disease. Over two years, 68 completed a daily regimen of 5 mg folic acid and 250 mg of vitamin b6 while 66 received placebo.

Primary endpoint was any development of a progression of subclinical atherosclerosis estimated from an exercise electrocardiograph, the ankle-brachial pressure index and carotid and femoral ultrasonographs.

Treatment with folic acid and vitamin b6 at 250 mg, compared with controls, was associated with a decrease in fasting homocysteine concentration; postmethionine homocysteine concentration and a decreased rate of abnormal electrocardiograph following exercise. No apparent effects were found on ankle-brachial pressure indices or carotid and peripheral arterial outcome variables.

In another study of homocysteine levels, British researchers found it is an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease morbidity and mortality in men of Indian Asian descent who are living in Britain. Researchers speculate that the increased risks might be due to a reduced intake of folic acid and vitamin b12.

The implication is that reduced rates of coronary heart disease might be reduced by daily vitamin supplements.

02/11/2000

By Bruce Yates

Lancet