Abstract
Homocysteine may have an effect on risk of cardiovascular disease by stimulating procoagulant factors and/or impair anti-coagulant mechanisms or fibrinolysis. However, data in humans of such effects are sparse. In this intervention study, we examined the effect of homocysteine lowering by B-vitamin supplementation on prothrombin fragments 1 and 2 (F1+2), thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT), and fibrin degradation products (D-dimer). The study comprised 118 healthy volunteers, 50 with homocysteine > 16 μmol/L and 68 with homocysteine ≤ 16 μmol/L, who were randomized to placebo or high-dose B-vitamin supplements (5 mg folic acid, 0.4 mg hydroxycobalamin, and 50 mg pyridoxine) daily for 8 weeks. Although homocysteine concentrations were 27.7% (p < 0.0001) reduced in the B-vitamin group compared to the placebo group, no effect on F1+2 and TAT concentrations was observed. A 10.4% reduction was observed for D-dimer (p = 0.08). In conclusion, it appears that in healthy subjects homocysteine reduction by B-vitamin supplementation has a modest beneficial effect on clotting activation.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 230-235 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Thrombosis and haemostasis |
Volume | 88 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2002 |
Keywords
- B-vitamins
- Clotting activation
- Healthy volunteers
- Homocysteine
- Intervention