Folic acid reduces adhesion molecules VCAMª²1 expression on endothelium in rats with hyperhomocysteinemia

    LI Ming, CHEN Jian, FENG Yiª²Bai, LI Yuª²Shu, GU Xiang, SHI Chunª²Zhi

    Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong Science & Technology University, Wuhan 430022£¬China

    ¡¾Abstract¡¿ AIM: To investigate the effects of folic acid supplementation on the expression of adhesion molecules VCAMª²1 in aortic endothelium of rats with hyperhomocysteinemia (HHCY) induced by ingestion of excess methionine (MET). METHODS: Thirty male SD rats(200¡À20 g)were divided into 3 groups (n=10 in each group): control group (Control), high MET group (MET) and MET plus folate group (MET+folate). The rats were fed respectively on normal diet, normal diet enriched by 17 g/kg MET and normal diet plus 17 g/kg MET and 0. 06 g/kg folate for 45 d. The levels of total plasma homocysteine (HCY) were detected and the expression of VCAMª²1 protein and mRNA in aorta of rats was detected respectively by immunohistochemistry and RTª²PCR. RESULTS: The highª²methionine diet resulted in a significant increase in the plasma HCY levels [(140.7¡À36.9) ¦Ìmol/L vs (6.5¡À1.1) ¦Ìmol/L]. The serum HCY levels were significantly lower in rats fed on highª²methionine plus folateª²rich diet than those in rats fed on the highª²methionine diet [(50.6¡À21.8) ¦Ìmol/L vs (140.7¡À36.9) ¦Ìmol/L, P<0.05]. The expression of adhesion molecules VCAMª²1 at protein and mRNA levels was higher in aortic endothelium of rats fed on the highª²methionine diet than that in control rats. The expression of VCAMª²1 at protein and mRNA levels was significantly reduced in aortic endothelium of rats fed on highª²methionine plus folateª²rich diet compared with that in rats fed on highª²methionine diet. CONCLUSION: A high methionine diet for 45 d is sufficient to induce HHCY. Folate supplementation to the rats fed on the highª²methenine diet prevents the elevation of HCY levels in the blood and reduces the expression of adhesion molecules VCAMª²1 in aorta of rats with HHCY. ......