Tier 2 — strong

Effect of folic acid and betaine on fasting and postmethionine-loading plasma homocysteine and methionine levels in chronic haemodialysis patients

C van Guldener, M J Janssen, K de Meer, A J Donker, C D Stehouwer
Journal of internal medicine 1999 245(2):175-183

Bibliography

PubMed
PMID 10081520
DOI
10.1046/j.1365-2796.1999.00430.x
Funding
Funding was not specified in the indexed record or accessible funding metadata.
Competing interests
A competing-interest declaration was not available in the indexed record or accessible disclosure metadata.

Study snapshot

DesignRandomized controlled trial
ModelHuman participants
Sample29 hemodialysis patients; 26 completed
InterventionFolic acid 5 mg/day with or without betaine 4 g/day
Duration12-week betaine phase; additional folate follow-up to 52 weeks
EndpointsHomocysteine; Methionine loading

What the study showed, in plain terms

Published in 1999, this source examined homocysteine, methylation and vascular function. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Sample/model: 29 hemodialysis patients; 26 completed. The exposure or intervention was Folic acid 5 mg/day with or without betaine 4 g/day. Follow-up or treatment period: 12-week betaine phase; additional folate follow-up to 52 weeks.

Folic acid lowered fasting and post-load homocysteine, but adding betaine did not provide a further reduction in this dialysis population.

Small study in severe kidney disease; responses differ from those in healthy adults and cannot be generalized to routine supplementation.

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Key findings

  • Folic acid lowered fasting and post-load homocysteine, but adding betaine did not provide a further reduction in this dialysis population.
  • The recorded outcome domains were Homocysteine; Methionine loading.
  • The result applies to the tested exposure: Folic acid 5 mg/day with or without betaine 4 g/day; 12-week betaine phase; additional folate follow-up to 52 weeks.

What this study can and cannot tell us

  • Small study in severe kidney disease; responses differ from those in healthy adults and cannot be generalized to routine supplementation.
  • An individual controlled trial must be interpreted alongside its comparator, sample size, endpoint selection and independent replication. It does not validate a different commercial formulation or a general longevity claim.
  • Source basis: Indexed abstract and bibliographic data. Missing method details, funding information or participant denominators are not inferred.

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Effect of homocysteine-lowering nutrients on blood lipids: results from four randomised, placebo-controlled studies in healthy humans
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Editorial review

Reviewed by the Biohack Blueprint research team

Last verified

Dr. Khaled Mahmoud, MBBChCritical Care Medicine, Longevity Science & Editorial Direction Dr. Amr Yasser, PhDCardiometabolic, Musculoskeletal, Gut & Bioavailability Dr. Abdulla Mostafa, PhDCellular Senescence, Neurological, Mitochondrial & Brain-Ageing Biology