doi: 10.1161/01.CIR.0000046767.27423.4C
(Circulation. 2003;107:e6.)
© 2003 American Heart Association, Inc.
Correspondence |
Reduction of Total Homocysteine Levels by Oral Folic Acid Fails to Improve Endothelial Function in Children With Chronic Renal Failure
Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, nnkachan@aol.com
To the Editor:
We read with great interest the study by Bennett-Richards and colleagues1 that examined the effect of oral folic acid on total homocysteine concentrations and endothelial function in children with chronic renal failure (CRF). They found that folic acid supplementation for 8 weeks significantly reduced homocysteine concentrations and increased low-density lipoprotein lag times (indicating a reduction in susceptibility of low-density lipoprotein to oxidation). Despite these favorable effects of folic acid on parameters that are detrimental to endothelial function, however, there was no significant improvement in flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) compared with placebo.1 The authors suggested several explanations, including the inability to normalize homocysteine levels in CRF, abnormal folate metabolism, and inadequate folate supplementation. We would like to propose an additional mechanism that is pivotal in chronic renal failure.
It has been shown that plasma concentration of asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, accumulates in CRF.2 High plasma ADMA has also been found in experimentally induced hyperhomocystinemia in subjects with normal renal function.3 Hence, it is highly likely that plasma ADMA (not measured in their study) is markedly elevated in children with hyperhomocystinemia and CRF. Elevated ADMA inhibits NO synthase, resulting in diminished NO synthesis with subsequently impaired FMD. Because ADMA is excreted by the kidneys, normalization of homocysteine alone in CRF is sufficient to cause a significant reduction in plasma ADMA. Therefore, accumulation of ADMA is highly likely to have contributed to the lack of improvement in FMD after folic acid supplementation.
Understanding of the pathophysiological mechanism contributing to endothelial dysfunction in CRF is important because novel therapies targeting these abnormalities may result in improved clinical outcomes in children with CRF. Probucol has been shown to reduce plasma ADMA and to preserve endothelial function.4 Additionally, dietary L-arginine (substrate for NO synthesis) increases the L-arginine:ADMA ratio, and this therapeutic approach has been shown to improve endothelial function in conditions in which plasma ADMA concentrations are elevated.5 Whether the use of drugs that can lower ADMA (such as probucol) and/or L-arginine in conjunction with folic acid results in improved endothelial function and clinical outcome in CRF warrants further investigation.
References
- Bennett-Richards K, Kattenhorn M, Donald A, et al. Does oral folic acid lower total homocysteine levels and improve endothelial function in children with chronic renal failure? Circulation. 2002; 105: 1810–1815.
[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Vallance P, Leone A, Calver A, et al. Accumulation of an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis in chronic renal failure. Lancet. 1992; 339: 572–575.[CrossRef][Medline]
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- Boger RH, Lentz SR, Bode-Boger SM, et al. Elevation of asymmetrical dimethylarginine may mediate endothelial dysfunction during experimental hyperhomocysteinaemia in humans. Clin Sci. 2001; 100: 161–167.[Medline]
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- Jiang JL, Li NS, Deng HW. Probucol preserves endothelial function by reduction of the endogenous nitric oxide synthase inhibitor level. Br J Pharmacol. 2002; 135: 1175–1182.[CrossRef][Medline]
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- Boger RH, Bode-Boger SM, Kienke S, et al. Elevated L-arginine/dimethylarginine ratio contributes to enhanced systemic NO production by dietary L-arginine in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1996; 219: 598–603.[CrossRef][Medline]
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Response
Vascular Physiology Unit, Great Ormond St Hospital for Children NHS Trust, London, UK, KatyJBR@aol.com
Royal Free Hospital Renal Research Unit, Royal Free and University College Medical School, London, UK
We note with interest the comments of Chan et al on the mechanism of endothelial dysfunction in children with chronic renal failure (CRF). We did not measure the effect of folic acid on asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels in this study.1
In another study now published, we have investigated the mechanism described by Chan et al. ADMA levels were elevated in children with CRF when compared with the only available published control data (1.19±0.5 versus 0.77±0.18 mmol/L, P=0.05).2 Oral supplementation with L-arginine, however, had no beneficial effect on endothelial function, ADMA levels, or nitric oxide production, despite a significant increase in serum L-arginine.3
The levels of ADMA were not as high as those reported in adults with CRF,4 hypercholesterolemia5 (in which beneficial effects of L-arginine have been demonstrated), or in experimental acute hyperhomocysteinaemia.6
This may suggest that in children with CRF, modestly elevated ADMA levels do not primarily account for endothelial dysfunction. Use of an alternative to L-arginine to lower ADMA combined with folic acid certainly warrants consideration.
References
- Bennett-Richards K, Kattenhorn M, Donald A, et al. Does oral folic acid lower total homocysteine levels and improve endothelial function in children with chronic renal failure? Circulation. 2002; 105: 1810–1815.
[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Kari A, Donald AE, Vallance DT, et al. Physiology and biochemistry of endothelial function in children with chronic renal failure. Kidney Int. 1997; 52: 468–472.[Medline]
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- Bennett-Richards KJ, Kattenhorn M, Donald AE, et al. Oral L-arginine does not improve endothelial dysfunction in children with chronic renal failure. Kidney International. 2002; 62: 1372–1378.[CrossRef][Medline]
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- Kielstein JT, Boger RH, Bode-Boger SM, et al. Marked increase in asymmetric dimethylarginine in patients with incipient primary chronic renal disease. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2002; 13: 170–176.
[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Boger RH, Bode-Boger SM, Szuba A, et al. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA): a novel risk factor for endothelial dysfunction: its role in hypercholesterolemia. Circulation. 1998; 98: 1842–1847.
[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Boger RH, Lentz SR, Bode-Boger SM, et al. Elevation of asymmetrical dimethylarginine may mediate endothelial dysfunction during experimental hyperhomocysteinaemia in humans. Clin Sci. 2001; 100: 161–167.[CrossRef][Medline]
[Order article via Infotrieve]
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