Folic acid reduces alcohol-related damage in alcoholics

Folic acid found helpful for treating alcoholism and preventing Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, revealed by researchers in a recent study.

Formic acid, a byproduct of methanol, is known to alter the normal functioning of the nervous system and was found in higher quantities in alcoholics. The toxicity of formic acid was significantly slowed down by administering folic acid in an animal model.

The study was led by Dr. Bhushan Kapur, Department of Clinical Pathology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in collaboration with Dr. Peter Carlen, Department of Neurosciences, Toronto Western Division of the University Health Network. Supported by a grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and appearing in today's edition of Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, the study examined formic acid levels in alcoholics as compared with those in a control group. The serum formic acid levels were significantly higher in alcoholics as compared to the controls. Formic acid was not detected in the cerebrospinal fluid (a clear fluid bathing the entire surface of central nervous system) in the control group, but was found in three of the four alcoholic cases.

When the equivalent amount of formic acid that is found in alcoholics was added to rat brain slice cultures, the acid caused neuronal cell death. When folic acid was added with formic acid, neuronal cell death could be prevented.

"Our studies suggest that formic acid may indeed be the mechanism for many alcohol-related diseases, such as liver disease and central nervous system disorders," says Dr. Bhushan Kapur. "Because the neurotoxicity of formic acid can be greatly slowed by administering folic acid, which is inexpensive and readily available, the public health impact is staggering in terms of treating alcohol abusers and possibly preventing the serious affects of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome."

Dr. Kapur, also a scientist with Motherisk at the Hospital for Sick Children, notes that chronic exposure to low levels of formic acid gradually harms the body, citing that liver damage in alcoholics does not take place overnight. It is conceivable that a continuous exposure to low, but above normal, formic acid levels may be toxic to cells and contribute to alcohol-related organ damage.

This research resulted in a CIHR New Emerging Team Grants, intended to support the creation or development of teams of investigators undertaking collaborative, multidisciplinary research. Drs. Kapur and Carlen are collaborating with researchers at Queen's University on an ongoing study on folic acid supplementation as a potential therapeutic intervention in preventing Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders using an animal model.

"This research will certainly raise some interesting discussions for frontline healthcare providers, including the challenges of how much folic acid to recommend per day to their patients who drink, as well as factors such as absorption of folic acid, which is poor in chronic drinkers, and also the issue of compliance in this population," adds Dr. Kapur.



(Editor compiled and published Folic acid reduces alcohol-related damage in alcoholics at HealthNewsTrack on November 29, 2007 sourced from Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre - http://www.sunnybrook.ca/news?id=499)

Folic acid - recent articles and current news stories:

- Folic acid and vitamin B12 have no beneficial effects in heart disease
- Folic acid prevents congenital heart defects by 6%
- Taking folic acid before pregnancy reduces preterm birth risk
- Folic acid may help treat allergies, asthma
- Vitamin B and Folic acid do not appear to affect cancer risk

Most related articles:

- Folic acid reduces alcohol-related damage in alcoholics
- Folic acid prevents congenital heart defects by 6% - 9
- Taking folic acid before pregnancy reduces preterm birth risk - 8.7
- Vitamin B and Folic acid do not appear to affect cancer risk - 7.7
- Folic acid and vitamin B12 have no beneficial effects in heart disease - 7.6

More related articles:

- Folic acid, Alcoholism, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Nervous system, Pathology, Health, Brain, Liver disease, Healthcare
- Disabilities due to alcohol consumption - 10.5
- Folic acid prevents congenital heart defects by 6% - 9.1
- Taking folic acid before pregnancy reduces preterm birth risk - 8.4
- Possible treatment target for alcohol dependence identified - 8.4

Folic acid related articles:

- Folic acid prevents congenital heart defects by 6% - 9
- Vitamin B and Folic acid do not appear to affect cancer risk - 7.7
- Taking folic acid before pregnancy reduces preterm birth risk - 7.7
- Folic acid and vitamin B12 have no beneficial effects in heart disease - 7.6

Folic acid article/news source:

Read more health articles from Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and health articles from Canada.

Folic acid - search related terms:

Alcoholism, Brain, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Folic acid, Health, Healthcare, Liver disease, Nervous system, Pathology,
Folic acid books,

Searched keywords: folic acid alcoholism (52), folic acid and alcoholism (45), folic acid in alcoholics (30), Folic acid and alcohol (28), FOLIC ACID FOR ALCOHOLICS (27),

List health news, Health organizations, Health news world, Glossary, Best health articles, Featured     Go to top

The information provided on Health Newstrack is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her physician. We comply with the HONcode principles for trustworthy health information, and Health News Track is hon code accredited, verify here.
About us, Site map Privacy policy, Disclaimer
© 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 HealthNewsTrack.com
8.95