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Thromb Haemost 2002; 88(02): 230-235
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1613192
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Schattauer GmbH

Effect of Homocysteine Reduction by B-Vitamin Supplementation on Markers of Clotting Activation

Mariska Klerk
1   Division of Human Nutrition and Epidemiology, Wageningen University, Wageningen
2   Wageningen Centre for Food Sciences, Wageningen
,
Petra Verhoef
1   Division of Human Nutrition and Epidemiology, Wageningen University, Wageningen
2   Wageningen Centre for Food Sciences, Wageningen
,
Bert Verbruggen
3   Lab of Hematology, University Medical Center Nijmegen
,
Evert G. Schouten
1   Division of Human Nutrition and Epidemiology, Wageningen University, Wageningen
,
Henk J. Blom
4   Lab of Pediatrics and Neurology, University Medical Center Nijmegen
,
Gerard M. J. Bos
5   Department of Hematology, University Hospital Maastricht
,
Martin den Heijer
6   Department of Endocrinology
7   Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University Medical Center Nijmegen, The Netherlands
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 20 October 2001

Accepted after resubmission 26 April 2002

Publication Date:
07 December 2017 (online)

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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.

Keywords

Homocysteine - B-vitamins - clotting activation - intervention - healthy volunteers
 

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