ORIGINAL ARTICLES   

Minerva Urologica e Nefrologica 2001 June;53(2):57-9

Copyright © 2001 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: Italian

Effectiveness of oral supplements of folates, vitamins B12 and B6 in hemodialysed patients. Preliminary results after 5 months of follow-up

Sepe V., Ottone S., Patrucco G., Cecere P., Colombo P., Cagna G., Costantini L., Piccini G., Filiberti O., Peona C.

Ospedale S. Andrea - Vercelli Servizio di Nefrologia e Dialisi *Laboratorio Analisi

Background. Elevated serum levels of homocysteine have increasingly been associated as a risk factor of cardiovascular disease. Recent reports demonstrated that supplements of folates, vitamin B12 (B12) and vitamin B6 (B6) are effective in correcting serum Hcy levels in hemodialysed patients.
Aim. to assess the effectiveness of oral supplements of folates, B12 and B6, in order to reduce serum Hcy levels in our cohort of hemodialysed patients.
Methods. Sixty-one hemodialysed patients have been enrolled in the study (age 68±13 years; hemodialysis 62±42 months). Oral supplements of calcium folinate (30 mg 3 times a week), B12 (500 mg 3 times a week) and B6 (200 mg 3 times a week) were administered at the end of each hemodialysis session. Serum levels of Hcy, folic acid and B12 were tested at the beginning of the study and at 2 month intervals.
Results. After 5 months of follow-up, serum levels of Hcy were normalised in 19% of our patients and in total 70% of them showed a reduction >8% when compared with the basal Hcy levels. No side effects related to folates, B12 or B6 supplementation were observed.
Conclusions. Oral supplements of folates, B12 and B6 are a safe and effective treatment of hyperhomocysteinemia in hemodialysed patients.