Status:

COMPLETED

Effect of Betaine and Folic Acid on Vascular Function in Healthy Humans

Lead Sponsor:

Wageningen Centre for Food Sciences

Conditions:

Healthy

Cardiovascular Diseases

Eligibility:

All Genders

50-70 years

Phase:

NA

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine whether lowering of fasting homocysteine concentrations improves vascular function in healthy volunteers, irrespective of the homocysteine-lowering agent.

Detailed Description

A high plasma homocysteine is a potential risk factor for cardiovascular disease and death. However, it remains uncertain whether homocysteine per se, low status of folate, or other factors related to...

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

  • Apparently healthy.
  • Women postmenopausal: two or more years after last menstruation. If the uterus was surgically removed, the women must be 55 years or older.
  • Normal blood values for: hematology, total homocysteine, blood lipids, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folate, liver enzymes, creatinine.
  • Absence of protein and glucose in urine sample.
  • Body mass index (BMI) between 18 and 30 kg/m2.
  • Good ultrasound visibility of the brachial artery, judged by the sonographer.
  • Willing not to use supplements containing B-vitamins, antioxidant vitamins (A, beta-carotene, C and E) or n-3 fatty acids/fish oil supplements from screening day (\>2 months before start of the study) until end of study.
  • Willing not to be blood or plasmapheresis donor from 4 weeks before the screening day, and 4 weeks before the start of the study until the end of study.

Exclusion

  • Any chronic or acute disease (e.g. diabetes, renal disease, inflammation).
  • Current, or history of cardiovascular disease.
  • Hypertension.
  • Medical history or surgical events known to interfere with the study.
  • Fasting plasma total homocysteine \> 26 micromol/L.
  • Alcohol consumption: more than 21 consumptions /week for women, and more than 28 consumptions/week for men.
  • Weight loss or gain \> 2 kg in the month prior to screening.
  • Any special diet (prescribed, slimming, macrobiotic or total vegetarian). Sole exclusion of meat and fish from an otherwise 'normal' western diet is allowed.
  • Lactose intolerance.
  • Use of supplements containing B-vitamins more than once weekly in the period from 3 months before the screening day.
  • Participation in any other trial up to 3 months before this study.
  • Use of medication known to interfere with the study outcome.

Key Trial Info

Start Date :

October 1 2002

Trial Type :

INTERVENTIONAL

End Date :

June 1 2003

Estimated Enrollment :

40 Patients enrolled

Trial Details

Trial ID

NCT00102843

Start Date

October 1 2002

End Date

June 1 2003

Last Update

August 3 2005

Active Locations (1)

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Wageningen Centre for Food Sciences

Wageningen, Netherlands, 6703 HD