The Effects of Folate Supplementation on Carotid Intima-Media Thickness and Metabolic Status in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract

Background: This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of folate supplementation on carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and metabolic status among patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted among 60 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease. They were all overweight in the age range 40-85 years. Participants were randomly divided into 2 groups: group A (n = 30) received 5 mg folate supplements and group B (n = 30) received placebo for 12 weeks. Results: Folate supplementation resulted in a significant reduction in maximum levels of left CIMT (-0.05 ± 0.13 vs. +0.02 ± 0.11 mm, p = 0.01) compared with the placebo. Changes in fasting plasma glucose (-2.2 ± 37.5 vs. +30.2 ± 65.8 mg/dl, p = 0.02), serum insulin concentration (-2.0 ± 10.7 vs. +3.0 ± 7.6 µIU/ml, p = 0.04) and homeostasis of assessment-estimated insulin resistance (-0.6 ± 2.3 vs. +0.9 ± 2.3, p = 0.01) in supplemented patients were significantly different from those of patients in the placebo group. Changes in serum triglycerides (p = 0.04), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (p = 0.001), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (p = 0.01) and plasma nitric oxide concentrations (p < 0.001) were significantly different between the supplemented patients and placebo group. Conclusions: Overall, 5 mg/day folate supplementation for 12 weeks among patients with MetS had beneficial effects on CIMT and the metabolic status.

The Effects of Folate Supplementation on Diabetes Biomarkers Among Patients with Metabolic Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

“…In addition, lower folate concentrations, but not restricted to folate deficiency, are associated with higher rates of all-cause, CVD, and cancer mortality [13]. Few studies have evaluated the effects of folate on markers of insulin metabolism among patients with MetS [14], women with PCOS [15], and subjects with T2DM [16]; however, findings were controversial. Such inconsistent findings complicate approaches to prescribe folate for these patients.…”

Alteration of Intestinal Microbiota in 3-Deoxyglucosone-Induced Prediabetic Rats

“…In the current study, PICRUSt analysis showed that 3DG caused the downregulation of carbohydrate metabolism and amino acid metabolism, suggesting that metabolic function is inhibited in 3DG-induced prediabetic rats. Metabolism of cofactors and vitamin disorders such as the downregulation of folate metabolism (a kind of diabetes biomarker) increased the risk of metabolic diseases [ 35 ]. Previous research found a decrease in functions involving cofactor and vitamin metabolism and amino acid metabolism in metabolic diseases such as T2D and obesity [ 36 , 37 ].…”

Serum Vitamin D Level and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies and Randomized Control Trials

“…CIMT measurement obtained in both the left and right carotid artery and mean CIMT was calculated as the mean of the left and the right measurements [36]. There are different tools for measurement of CIMT including the B-mode ultrasonography (Accuvix V10, Medison) for a specialist radiologist [37], and a high-resolution ultrasonographic scanner (Vivid S6; GE Healthcare, Horton, Norway) equipped with a 10-MHz linear-array transducer [1] and a Doppler ultrasonography device (Samsung Medison V20) with linear multi frequencies of 7.5-10 MHz probe [38].…”