Vitamin C and Folate in vasodilation

Q: What is the theoretical basis of using Vitamin C and Folate in vasodilatation? 


Answer:  In experimental models, Vitamin C and folate are found to prevent the degradation of Nitric Oxide (NO). Although most of the work is done in the background of the effect of hypercholesterolemia on vasomotor action, they have shown this effect as an independent factor without any change in lipid metabolism. Vitamin C and folate improve the endothelial function and the vasomotor response. 5-methyltetrahydrofolate is the active form of folic acid and found to be particularly useful in this mechanism. 

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References:

Ting HH, Timimi FK, Haley EA, et al. Vitamin C improves endothelium-dependent vasodilation in forearm resistance vessels of humans with hypercholesterolemia. Circulation 1997; 95:2617. 

Verhaar MC, Wever RM, Kastelein JJ, et al. 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, the active form of folic acid, restores endothelial function in familial hypercholesterolemia. Circulation 1998; 97:237. 

Verhaar MC, Wever RM, Kastelein JJ, et al. Effects of oral folic acid supplementation on endothelial function in familial hypercholesterolemia. A randomized placebo-controlled trial. Circulation 1999; 100:335.