Folate, Vitamin B6 Normalize Endothelial Function in Diabetic Children

Recent published findings suggest that high-dose folate and vitamin B6 can normalize endothelial function in children with type 1 diabetes. Dr. Karen E. McKenzie, of the University of Adelaide, Australia, and colleagues examined the immediate and 8-week effect of folate and vitamin B6, alone or in combination, in 124 children with type 1 diabetes. The patients were randomized to daily treatment with: 5 mg folate plus placebo, 100 mg vitamin B6 plus placebo, 5 mg folate plus 100 mg vitamin B6, or two placebo tablets.

The team used flow-mediated dilation and glyceryltrinitrate-induced dilation with high-resolution ultrasound of the brachial artery to measure endothelial function at baseline, at 2 and 4 hours after the first dose (n = 35) and at 4 and 8 weeks of treatment (n = 122).

The researchers report that flow-mediated dilation normalized in all treatment groups. The improvements occurred within 2 hours of treatment and were maintained at 8 weeks for all treatments.

Flow-mediated dilation did not change in the placebo group and there was no change in glyceryltrinitrate-induced dilation in any group. Over 8 weeks, changes in flow-mediated dilation correlated with increased red cell folate levels and serum folate levels, and improvement in vitamin B6 status, Dr. McKenzie and colleagues report.

An inverse association was observed between increases in flow-mediated dilation over 8 weeks and baseline red cell folate levels and baseline diastolic blood pressure. Serum triglyceride levels and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were inversely associated with baseline flow-mediated dilation.

"We have shown for the first time that, among children with diabetes type 1 and normal folate status, both high-dose folate and high-dose vitamin B6 normalized endothelial function within 2 hours, an effect that is maintained over 8 weeks with continued treatment."

This treatment, which is inexpensive and appears to be safe, "could have a major impact on long-term diabetic vascular complications," they conclude.

Pediatrics 2006;118:242-253

================================

FACT:
New Report Shows That 69 Per-Cent of Patients With Diabetes Not Taking Medicines as Prescribed: MOST diabetes sufferers in the UK are unaware of the dangers of not managing their condition properly, new research has revealed. The report, published by Diabetes UK, shows that 69 per cent of the 202,000 people diagnosed with the condition in the region are not taking their medications as prescribed. Almost three quarters, 72 per cent, don’t know as much as they would like about their treatment options. And nearly a quarter, 23 per cent say they can’t understand what their doctor or nurse is telling them. The report calls on health-care professionals to signpost people with diabetes to the most appropriate sources of information, as well as encouraging them to ask questions. Simon O’Neill, from Diabetes UK, said: "As this research shows, many people struggle to realize the importance of taking their medicines, especially if the consequences are not immediately apparent despite the fact that damage caused by not taking their medicines is irreparable."