Effect of folic acid on endothelial function and plasma homocysteine in hypertensive patients

Objective:To evaluate the effect of oral folic acid on endothelial function as well as plasma homocysteine (Hcy) in hypertensive patients. Methods: Fifty-two patients with mild essential hypertention were divided randomly into two groups:folic acid administrative group (30) and control group (22). Flow-medicated dilatation (endothelium dependent) and nitroglycerin-induced dilatation (endothelium independent) using high-resolution ultrasonography were measured before and 12 weeks after treatment. The level of plasma homocysteine were measured using enzymoimmunoassay before and 12 weeks after treatment. Results:Flow-mediated dilatation of patients with folic acid administration group (11. 37±4. 22)% was improved significantly compared with that of pretherapy (7. 13±3. 36)% and control group (8. 58±3. 48)% (P0. 05). But there was no change in endothelium-independent dilation which was measured by nitro-glycerin-induced response after folic acid administration 12 weeks. Plasma homocysteine (12. 66±3. 20) μmol/L was reduced significantly compared with that of pretrentment (16. 63±3. 48)μmol/L and control group (14. 54±4. 77)μmol/L (P0. 01). Conclusions:Folic acid administration improves arterial endothelial function in hypertensive patients and reduces plasma Hcy. Improvement of endothial function by folic acid treatment in hypertention has no significant correlation with reduction of plasma Hcy.