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DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1613192
Effect of Homocysteine Reduction by B-Vitamin Supplementation on Markers of Clotting Activation
Publication History
Received
20 October 2001
Accepted after resubmission
26 April 2002
Publication Date:
07 December 2017 (online)
![](https://www.thieme-connect.de/media/10.1055-s-00035024/200202/lookinside/thumbnails/10-1055-s-0037-1613192-1.jpg)
Summary
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 highdose 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 Bvitamin 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.
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