Topic:

Folic Acid and Vitamin B12 in Patients with Stable Coronary Artery Disease

Keywords:

CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE, CAD - Folic Acid, Vitamin B12

Reference:

"Coronary blood flow in patients with stable coronary artery disease treated long term with folic acid and vitamin B12," Bleie O, Strand E, et al, Coron Artery Dis, 2011 March 7; [Epub ahead of print]. (Address: Department of Heart Disease, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway).

Summary:

In a placebo-controlled study involving 40 patients (on average 57.8 years of age) with stable coronary artery disease (CAD), daily oral supplementation with 0.8 mg folic acid and 0.4 mg vitamin B12 was found to be associated with significant increases in basal and adenosine-induced coronary blood flow, as compared to placebo and compared to supplementation with vitamin B6 (40 mg/d) alone. The authors conclude, "Long-term treatment with a combination of folic acid and vitamin B12 increase basal and adenosine-induced maximal coronary blood flow. This may reflect improved microvascular function in patients with stable CAD."

Topic:

Low Vitamin B6 Status Linked to Increased Inflammation and Oxidative Stress

Keywords:

CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE, INFLAMMATION, OXIDATIVE STRESS - Vitamin B6, B Vitamins

Reference:

"Association of vitamin B-6 status with inflammation, oxidative stress, and chronic inflammatory conditions: the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study," Shen J, Lai CQ, et al, Am J Clin Nutr, 2010, 91(2): 337-42. (Address: J. Shen, Jean Mayer US Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, 711 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02111-1524, USA. E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

Summary:

In a cross-sectional study involving 1205 subjects between the ages of 45 and 75 years, a strong dose-response relationship was found between plasma PLP (pyridoxal-5'-phosphate) and plasma C-reactive protein (CRP). As PLP increased, CRP decreased, as did urinary 8-OHdG concentration. Plasma PLP was associated with plasma fasting glucose, glycated hemoglobin, and HOMA of beta cell function. In addition, low plasma PLP concentrations were linked to metabolic syndrome, obesity, and diabetes. The authors conclude, "Low vitamin B-6 concentrations are associated with inflammation, higher oxidative stress, and metabolic conditions in older Puerto Rican adults. Our data suggest that vitamin B-6 may influence cardiovascular disease risk through mechanisms other than homocysteine and support the notion that nutritional status may influence the health disparities present in this population."

Topic:

High Dietary Flavonol Intake May Reduce Risk of Stroke

Keywords:

STROKE - Flavonols

Reference:

"Dietary Flavonol Intake May Lower Stroke Risk in Men and Women," Hollman PC, Kromhout D, et al, J Nutr, 2010 Jan 20; [Epub ahead of print]. (Address: Wageningen University, Division of Human Nutrition, 6700 EV Wageningen, The Netherlands).

Summary:

In a meta-analysis of data from 6 cohorts involving 111,067 persons with at least 2155 nonfatal and fatal cases of stroke, results indicate that dietary flavonol intake may reduce risk of stroke. After adjusting for potential confounders, high intake of flavonols was associated with a 20% reduced risk of nonfatal and fatal stroke, compared with low intake. Thus, the authors of this study conclude, "flavonols may reduce stroke risk."