Effects of folic acid and vitamin B complex on serum C-reactive protein and albumin levels in stable hemodialysis patients

Tzu Yuan Chang, Kang Ju Chou, Chin Feng Tseng, Hsiao Min Chung, Hua Chang Fang, Yao Min Hung, Ming Jei Wu, Huey Ming Tzeng, Chang Chung Lind, Kuo Cheng Lu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

25 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: Folic acid and vitamin B complex administration in uremic patients has been reported to lower plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) levels, but whether or not this has a beneficial effect on the inflammatory state is not clear. Methods: We conducted a randomized open labeled study to determine the effects of folic acid (5 mg daily) and vitamin B complex administration on plasma tHcy levels as well as inflammatory (serum high-sensitivity C reactive protein, hs-CRP) and nutritional (serum albumin) markers in patients on maintenance hemodialysis. Treatment was given for 3 consecutive months to 61 patients on maintenance hemodialysis. Another 60 patients, all age-, sex-, hemodialysis duration-matched served as control group. Main outcome measures: Plasma tHcy, serum hs-CRP, albumin, creatinine (Cr), post-dialysis body weight (BW), and normalized protein catabolism rate (nPCR). Results: After 3 months, levels of plasma tHcy and serum hs-CRP, Cr, and nPCR were significantly decreased while levels of serum albumin, vitamin B12, folate, and BW were significantly increased. The dialytic dose (KT/V) and dietary intake remained unchanged. However, correlations between the magnitude of reduction of tHcy & hs-CRP, tHcy & Cr, and Cr & nPCR were statistically significant. Conclusions: Folic acid and vitamin B complex co-administration effectively lowers tHcy and hs-CRP levels and increases albumin levels in stable hemodialysis subjects, underscoring their potential benefit to attenuate the state of inflammation and possibly improve the nutritional status in patients on hemodialysis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1879-1886
Number of pages8
JournalCurrent Medical Research and Opinion
Volume23
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2007
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Albumin
  • C-reactive protein
  • Folic acid
  • Hemodialysis
  • Homocysteine
  • Vitamin B

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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