Possible Interaction: Nitric Oxide and Folate

“Because nitric oxide may inhibit folate catabolism and endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity is reduced in smokers, we postulated that smoking status might modify the impact of the MTHFR C677T polymorphism on homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations.”

“ Folates interact with the endothelial enzyme NO synthase (eNOS) and, exert effects on the cofactor bioavailability of NO and thus, on peroxynitrite formation.”

“Thus, physiological concentrations of NO appear to regulate carbon flow through the folate pathway.”

“BACKGROUND Laboratory studies suggest that folate intake may decrease blood pressure (BP) through increasing nitric oxide synthesis in endothelial cells and/or reducing plasma homocysteine concentrations.”

“It is possible that folate , in pharmacological doses, may enhance the NO activity by influencing NO-tetrahydrobiopterin interactions.”

“It is therefore tempting to speculate that the molecular mechanism by which NO inhibits the carbon flow through the folate pathway involves cobalamin poisoning by NO.”

“This conclusion is corroborated by a recent report suggesting that NO inhibits the MS reaction, thereby blocking the flow of one carbon units through the folate pathway.”

“We also found that high NO levels increase the demand for folates.”

“ Plasma nitric oxide was reduced in the high methionine group compared to the control (3.72 ± 0.57 versus 6.65 ± 0.53 μmol/L, P < 0.05), which reduction was reversed by the palm TRF (60 and 150 mg/kg) and folate supplementations.”

“Nutrients such as arginine, antioxidants (vitamins C and E, lipoic acid, glutathione), and enzyme cofactors (vitamins B2 and B3, folate , and tetrahydrobiopterin) help to elevate nitric oxide levels and may play an important role in the management of cardiovascular disease.”