Objective: 

The present study aims to clarify the importance of folate and its effect on the level of plasma lipid, lipoproteins and homocysteine (Hcy) in overiectomized rats, since adequate folate supplementation may result in reduction of hyperhomocysteinemia, which is a significant risk factor for atherosclerotic vascular disease

Methods: 

The present study conducted on thirty sexually mature female rats. Bilateral ovariectomy was done to 20 rats, to ensure surgical menopause. Two weeks later, the rats were divided into 3 equal groups, a group of intact rats (control A), a group of ovariectomized rats (control B) and a group of ovariectomized rats that was treated with folic acid (0.0019%, orally) for four weeks. Blood samples were then collected for plasma separation. Plasma total homocysteine and lipid profile were determined.

Results: 

In ovariectomized rats, folic acid significantly reduced total homocysteine and induced significant improvement in the disturbances resulted from ovariectomy on the plasma lipid and lipoproteins. This was manifested by significant decrease in plasma triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) levels, but it has a non significant increasing effect on plasma levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc), in comparison to ovariectomized rats. Moreover, the total plasma homocysteine levels were significantly correlated to plasma TC and LDLc.

Conclusions: 

This study favors the view that after menopause, homocysteine level increases significantly and a simple, non toxic and relatively inexpensive folic acid intervention might be useful in primary cardiovascular prevention in postmenopausal women.