El posible papel de los folatos en la prevención de enfermedades cardiovasculares o neurodegenerativas es un tema de actualidad. Diversos estudios epidemiológicos han demostrado una asociación inversa entre los valores de esta vitamina en sangre y la morbimortalidad cardiovascular o la enfermedad de Alzheimer. Múltiples estudios han constatado los efectos hipohomocisteinemiantes del folato. Recientemente se han descrito efectos beneficiosos del folato en el endotelio que son homocisteínaindependientes. Para evaluar su potencial relevancia fisiopatológica se requiere que haya modelos en que los que se pueda disociar hiperhomocisteinemia y deficiencia de folato.
Material y métodosEstudio histológico y morfométrico de las lesiones arterioscleróticas en ratones C57BL/6 alimentados con dieta Western (una dieta con un alto contenido en grasas saturadas) deficiente o no en folatos.
ResultadosLos animales con déficit vitamínico de folato no presentaron hiperhomocisteinemia. Tampoco presentaron diferencias en la glucosa ni en los parámetros lipídicos, hematológicos o la función renal. La deficiencia en folatos no aumentó el área (5.310 ± 1.346 frente a 4522 ± 1276 mm2 en el grupo control) ni el número de lesiones arterioscleróticas (1,4 ± 0,3 frente a 2,0 ± 0,5 en el grupo control).
ConclusionesEl ratón es un buen modelo para diferenciar los efectos debidos a déficit de folato de los ocasionados por hiperhomocisteinemia, un binomio que suele ser inseparable en humanos. La deficiencia de folato, en ausencia de hiperhomocisteinemia, no incrementa la magnitud ni el número de lesiones arterioscleróticas en el ratón.
Introduction and objectives. The potential role of folates in the prevention of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases is a topic of current interest. Several studies have showed an association between these vitamin levels and cardiovascular and Alzheimer morbidity and/or mortality. Many studies have demonstrated the homocysteinelowering effects of folates. It has recently been demonstrated that folates have homocysteineindependent protective actions at endothelial level. To evaluate their pathophysiological significance, models are required in which folate deficiency and hyperhomocysteinemia can be dissociated.The potential role of folates in the prevention of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases is a topic of current interest. Several studies have showed an association between these vitamin levels and cardiovascular and Alzheimer morbidity and/or mortality. Many studies have demonstrated the homocysteinelowering effects of folates. It has recently been demonstrated that folates have homocysteineindependent protective actions at endothelial level. To evaluate their pathophysiological significance, models are required in which folate deficiency and hyperhomocysteinemia can be dissociated.
Material and methodsHistologic and morphometric study of aortic atherosclerosis was conducted in C57BL/6 mice fed a Western type diet (rich in saturated fat) containing or not folates.
ResultsAnimals with vitamin deficiency did not present hyperhomocysteinemia. No changes were observed in lipid profile, glucose or hematological and renal function parameters. Folate deficiency did not increase either the size (5310 ± 1346 mm2 versus 4522 ± 1276 mm2 in the control group) or number of atherosclerotic lesions (1.4 ± 0.3 versus 2.0 ± 0.5 in the control group).
ConclusionsThe mouse is a good model for separating the differential effects of folate deficiency from those of hyperhomocysteinemia. Folate deficiency, in absence of hyperhomocysteinemia, does not increase either the size or number of atherosclerotic lesions.