Effect of folic acid administration on plasma level of methoxy hydroxy phenyl glycol in perimenopausal women

ABSTRACT

The need for a nonhormonal approach to the treatment of subjective symptoms of menopause is evident. The present study aimed to test the effectiveness of folic acid in eliminating postmenopausal hot flushes and its effect on the related noradrenaline metabolite, 3- methoxy 4-hydnoxy phenyl glycol [MHPG] plasma level. also, its effect on the lipid profile including serum triglycerides [TG], total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C], low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C], and C-reactive protein [CRP] were studied. Sixty-four menopausal women complaining of hot flushes were included into 3 groups group I [23 menopausal women] received folic acid 5 mg tablets once daily, group 11[22 menopausal women] received folic acid 5 mg tablet twice daily and group III [19 menopausal women] received placebo tablets once daily, for 4 weeks. The women were followed up as regards the frequency of hot flushes and estimation of plasma level of MHPG by high performance liquid chromatography [HPLC], serum lipid profile and CRP as well as the appearances of any side effects of the drug during the course of the treatment. The results revealed a complete disappearance of hot flushes in 63.6% of menopausal women treated with folic acid 10 mg daily and in 32.1% of menopausal women treated with folic acid 5 mg daily. Folic acid significantly decreased plasma level of MHPG in group I and Ii after treatment, and this effect was more significant in group II than I, i.e. folic acid in a dose of 10 mg daily had a better effect than a smaller dose of 5 mg daily. There was also definite positive correlation between clinical improvements of hot flushes and lowering of plasma levels of MHPG. Folic acid caused significant improvement of total cholesterol in a dose of 10 mg daily and significant improvement in TG with both 5 mg and 10 mg daily with no significant effect on the other cardiovascular risk predictors estimated. Folic acid could be used as a safe nonhonmonal replacement treatment for hot flushes in postmenopausal women