High‑dose folic acid improves endothelial function by increasing tetrahydrobiopterin and decreasing homocysteine levels

Zhang,Min; Wen,Jinlin; Wang,Xiangjiang; Xiao,Chun

doi:10.3892/mmr.2014.2332

High‑dose folic acid improves endothelial function by increasing tetrahydrobiopterin and decreasing homocysteine levels

Authors:
- Min Zhang
- Jinlin Wen
- Xiangjiang Wang
- Chun Xiao
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Affiliations: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Third People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Huizhou, Guangdong 516002, P.R. China
Published online on: June 16, 2014 https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2014.2332
Pages: 1609-1613

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of folic acid (FA) on tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), neopterin, nitric oxide (NO) and homocysteine (Hcy) levels in endothelial cells. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured in vitro in the presence or absence of Hcy. The effect of various doses of FA on Hcy, BH4, neopterin and NO concentrations in HUVECs was then assessed. In the 5 and 10 nmol/l FA treatment groups, FA was found to significantly increase the levels of BH4 (10.56±3.86 and 11.23±2.1919 pmol/g vs 6.32+2.87 nmol/g; P<0.05 vs. control) and NO production (37.86±12.34 nmol/l, 38.45±11.23 nmol/l vs 26.21±9.24 nmol/l; P<0.001 vs. paired Hcy group), but reduce the levels of Hcy (132.87±29.67 and 140.87±26.76 nmol/l vs. 165.23±30.56 nmol/l; P<0.05 vs. Hcy group). No significant differences were observed in neopterin levels among the different groups of HUVECs. In conclusion, high doses of FA may be capable of protecting endothelial cells through reducing levels of Hcy and increasing BH4 and NO production.

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