Tohoku J. Exp. Med., 2002, 198 (2)

The Effect of Folic Acid, Vitamin B₆ and Vitamin B₁₂ on the Homocysteine
Levels in Rabbits Fed by Methionine-Enriched Diets

FIGEN NARIN, NAZMI NARIN,¹ MUSTAFA AKCAKUS,¹ MUZAFFER USTDAL,
INCI KARAKÜÇÜK and CANAN HALICI

Department of Biochemistry, ¹Department of Pediatrics, Erciyes University, School of Medicine, Kayseri, Turkey

Atherosclerosis is an important cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in recent years. Hyperhomocysteinemia is recognized as an independent risk factor for premature atherosclerosis and venous thrombosis. It is suggested that administration of folic acid, vitamin B₆ and vitamin B₁₂ may decrease homocysteine levels. In our study, we induced hyperhomocysteinemia in rabbits by giving methionine and studied the effects of folic acid, vitamin B₆ and vitamin B₁₂ on homocysteine levels. A total of 40 (20 female, 20 male New Zealand rabbits) were divided into four groups, each consisting of 10 rabbits. Methionine (100 mg/kg/day), methionine (100 mg/kg/day) plus vitamin B₆ (30 mg/kg/day), methionine (100 mg/kg/day) plus vitamin B₁₂ (80 mg/kg/day) and methionine (100 mg/kg/day) plus folic acid (20 mg/kg/day) were given to the first, second, third and forth groups respectively. These rabbits were followed up for two months. We studied homocysteine levels on the 0, 20th, 40th and 60th days in all groups. In rabbits we induced hyperhomocysteinemia by giving methionine for 2 months. The decreases of homocysteine levels in the forth group were significant with respect to the second and third groups. Folic acid supplementation clearly resulted in a reduction of plasma homocysteine levels, whereas vitamin B₁₂ was little effective and vitamin B₆ failed to show an effect. We conclude that even folic acid treatment alone may be sufficient for decreasing negative effects of homocysteine.

Keywords —— homocysteine; hyperhomocysteinemia; folic acid; vitamin B₆; vitamin B₁₂

© 2002 Tohoku University Medical Press

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Tohoku J. Exp. Med., 2002, 198, 99-105

Address for reprint: Figen Narin, Assistant Professor of Biochemistry, P.K. 272 38002, Kayseri, Turkey.

e-mail: fnarin@erciyes.edu.tr