Maternal folic acid reduces CHD riskAssociation of maternal folic acid supplementation and offspring MTRR gene polymorphism with congenital heart disease: a hospital-based case-control study in Han population.
We explored how maternal folic acid supplementation relates to congenital heart disease (CHD) in children. Through a case-control study involving 595 children with CHD and 605 healthy controls, we found that mothers taking folic acid significantly reduced the risk of CHD and its subtypes. Notably, variations in the MTRR gene among offspring were linked to higher CHD risks, but maternal folic acid appeared to mitigate some of this risk. While results are promising, further research with larger samples is essential to fully understand these findings.
Read More
Treating TANGO2 heart arrhythmiasFolate as a potential treatment for lethal ventricular arrhythmias in TANGO2-deficiency disorder.
We explored the potential benefits of folic acid in treating dangerous heart rhythm problems linked to TANGO2-deficiency disorder (TDD). By creating patient-derived heart cell models, we observed that high doses of folate significantly reduced these arrhythmias. Additionally, clinical studies indicated that taking multivitamins, particularly those rich in B complex, lowered the chance of heart crises in TDD patients. Together, these findings suggest that B vitamins, including folate, could be vital in managing severe heart complications associated with this rare genetic disorder.
Read More
Vitamin B12 helps heart recoveryVitamin B12 alleviates myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury via the SIRT3/AMPK signaling pathway.
We explored how vitamin B12 can act as a safeguard against heart damage caused by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. In our study, we used a mouse model subjected to I/R injury by occluding the left anterior descending coronary artery, followed by 24 hours of reperfusion.
Our aim was to see if high doses of vitamin B12 could improve heart function and reduce damage. Through various evaluations, including echocardiography and biochemical methods, we revealed that vitamin B12 supplementation does indeed help. It mitigates oxidative stress and lowers levels of harmful reactive oxygen species.
Additionally, we found that B12 supplementation reduced cell apoptosis—essentially cell death—in heart tissues. This response was linked to the action of specific signaling pathways, particularly the SIRT3/AMPK pathway. However, we noted that these protective effects diminished when a SIRT3 inhibitor was introduced, indicating the importance of this pathway.
Moreover, RNA sequencing data showed that vitamin B12 also plays a role in reducing inflammation during I/R injury. Overall, our findings suggest that high doses of vitamin B12 might serve as an effective strategy for treating myocardial damage from I/R events, potentially paving the way for new therapies in heart health.
Read More
Folic acid's limited heart benefitAtherogenic Effect of Homocysteine, a Biomarker of Inflammation and Its Treatment.
We investigated whether folic acid treatment could help lower heart disease risk related to elevated homocysteine levels. The study highlighted that hyperhomocysteinemia is a significant independent risk factor for atherosclerosis, which can contribute to serious cardiovascular events. While folic acid, alongside other B vitamins, effectively reduces homocysteine levels, it does not appear to significantly improve heart disease outcomes on its own. Thus, while folic acid plays a role in managing homocysteine, its impact on preventing heart disease is less clear.
Read More
Folic acid aids heart disease treatmentMTHFR C677T gene polymorphism in patients with coronary heart disease and hypertension treated with enalapril and folic acid: implications for prognosis.
We explored how folic acid affects patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and hypertension, particularly considering the MTHFR C677T gene. The study included 540 patients who received either folic acid treatment alongside enalapril or standard care.
While both folic acid and non-folic acid groups showed lower rates of cardiovascular events compared to the control group, the results suggested folic acid may enhance patient outcomes in those with H-type hypertension. Overall, folic acid seems to support better blood pressure management and improves prognosis among high-risk patients, highlighting the importance of genetic screening in treatment.
Read More