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Folate protects against oxidative modification of human LDL

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2007

Emi Nakano ,
John A. Higgins  and
Hilary J. Powers
Emi Nakano
Affiliation:
Division of Clinical Science, Northern General Hospital, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S5 7AU, UK
John A. Higgins
Affiliation:
Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Sheffield, Firth Court, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK,
Hilary J. Powers*
Affiliation:
Division of Clinical Science, Northern General Hospital, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S5 7AU, UK
*
*Corresponding author: Dr Hilary J. Powers, fax +44 114 261 0112, email h.j.powers@Sheffield.ac.uk
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Abstract

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Elevated plasma total homocysteine is considered to be a graded risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Folate, through its homocysteine-lowering potential, may therefore be protective. Folate, however, may have protective effects independent of homocysteine-lowering. We have measured the effects of folate on Cu-catalysed oxidative damage to the unsaturated lipids in human LDL. Experiments were carried out in the presence of citrate, and followed increases in absorption at 234 nm, which measures the amount of conjugated diene produced. There is a lag time during which endogenous antioxidants are oxidised, followed by rapid oxidation of lipid. Addition of 0–6 μM-5-methyltetrahydrofolate produced a dose-dependent increase in the lag time, suggesting that folate may have a direct anti-oxidant role in vivo, which is independent of any indirect effects through lowering of homocysteine levels.

Keywords

FolateLDLOxidationHomocysteine
Type
short communication
Information
British Journal of Nutrition , Volume 86 , Issue 6 , December 2001 , pp. 637 - 639
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 2001

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