Hanna Bukowska

Association between low-dose folic acid supplementation and blood lipids concentrations in male and female subjects with atherosclerosis risk factors.

Background Folic acid (FA) is one of the B complex vitamins. It is thought that FA deficiency promotes atherosclerosis formation in arterial endothelium. FA, acting through reducing homocysteine (Hcy) levels, may contribute to decreased cholesterol (Ch) synthesis. The aim of this study was to analyze the association of low-dose folic acid supplementation with blood lipids concentrations in subjects with atherosclerosis risk factors. Material/Methods The study enrolled 124 Caucasian individuals (60 M, ages 20–39; and 64 F, ages 19–39) with atherosclerosis risk factors (family history of premature ischemic stroke, arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia, overweight and obesity, cigarette smoking, and low level of physical activity). The participants were asked to take FA at a low dose of 0.4 mg/24 h for 12 weeks. Results FA levels increased in females (6.3 vs. 12.5 ng/dL; p=0.001) and males (6.4 vs. 11.4 ng/dL; p=0.001) and Hcy levels decreased (10.6 vs. 8.3 μmol/L; p=0.001 and 11.5 vs. 9.3; p=0.001, respectively). A significant reduction in mean concentration of total cholesterol in females (203.4 vs. 193.1 mg/dL; p=0.001) and in males (209.5 vs. 201.9; p=0.002) was observed. The low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels decreased in females and in males (107.4 vs. 99.9 mg/dL; p=0.001 and 121.5 vs. 115.1; p=0.002, respectively). The apoAI concentrations increased in smoking women and in men with BMI ≥25 kg/m2 (p=0.032 and p=0.024, respectively). Conclusions Low-dose FA supplementation has a beneficial effect on blood lipids through decreasing concentrations of total cholesterol and LDL-C and increasing concentrations of apoAI.

Does the progeny of premature ischemic stroke sufferers need intensive interest of physicians oriented toward primary prevention? A pilot study

Background Few studies focus on the progeny of stroke patients with respect to the occurrence of other potential risk factors. Methods The study group covered 60 males and 62 females whose parents had suffered premature ischemic stroke (PIS); the control group comprised of 41 males and 47 females whose parents had no history of premature vascular event (mean age: 28.4 and 27.1 years, respectively). Examination of both the groups consisted of evaluation of their diet, measurement of arterial blood pressure and body mass index (BMI). Moreover, blood test was carried out and concentration of biochemical stroke risk factors was determined. Results The adult progeny of parents with a history of PIS followed a deficient, unbalanced, and nonvaried diet. Their average blood pressure and BMI reached higher values, compared with the results obtained in the control group (125.7 ± 16.06 vs. 122.64 ± 10.83 mmHg; 24.27 ± 3.98 vs. 22.54 ± 2.69 kg/m2, respectively; P<0.05). The same applies to average concentrations of the triglycerides 1.22 ± 0.76 vs. 1.06 ± 0.54 mmol/l; total cholesterol (5.34 ± 1.16 vs. 4.82 ± 0.89 mmol/l), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (2.95 ± 0.97 vs. 2.52 ± 0.73 mmol/l), total homocysteine (11.22 ± 4.22 vs. 10.18 ± 2.45 μmol/l), and fibrinogen (2.91 ± 0.68 vs. 2.78 ± 0.6 g/l) (P<0.05). Conclusion Adult children of PIS sufferers show different stroke risk factor profiles than the control group. It may indicate a need for preventive activities for this group in the future. Family occurrence of stroke requires further detailed studies on a larger cohort of patients from risk group.