Effects of folic acid and vitamin B complex on serum C-reactive protein and albumin levels in stable hemodialysis patients.

Objective: Folic acid and vitamin B complex administration in uremic patients has been reported to lower plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) levels, but whether or not this has a beneficial effect on the inflammatory state is not clear.

Methods: We conducted a randomized open labeled study to determine the effects of folic acid (5 mg daily) and vitamin B complex administration on plasma tHcy levels as well as inflammatory (serum high-sensitivity C reactive protein, hs-CRP) and nutritional (serum albumin) markers in patients on maintenance hemodialysis. Treatment was given for 3 consecutive months to 61 patients on maintenance hemodialysis.