AN ANTIATHEROGENIC ROLE FOR FOLIC-ACID IN EXPERIMENTAL DIABETES

The effect of folic acid on lipoprotein lipase and various lipid fract ions was studied in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. An enhanced plasma and hepatic lipoprotein lipase activity has been observed in fo late supplemented diabetic animals. The proatherogenic triglycerides a nd very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol+low-density lipoprotein ch olesterol levels were found to be elevated in the diabetic groups, and folic acid supplementation lowered these levels. A significant increa se in the antiatherogenic high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels was observed in the diabetic rats on folate supplementation. The ratio of total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol of 3.93/-1.56 observed in the diabetic groups was lowered to 2.04+/-0.25 on f olate supplementation. These observations suggest a role for folic aci d as an antiatherogenic agent in experimentally induced diabetes.