Effects of long-term folate supplementation on metabolic status and regression of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE

This study was conducted to determine the effects of long-term folate supplementation on regression and metabolic status of patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 1 (CIN1).

METHODS

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed among 58 women diagnosed with CIN1, ages 18 to 55 y old. Participants were randomly divided into two groups to receive 5 mg/d folate supplements (n = 29) or placebo (n = 29) for 6 mo. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and 6 mo after intervention to quantify related markers.

RESULTS

A greater percentage of women in the folate group had regressed CIN1 (83.3 versus 52.0%, P = 0.019) than those in the placebo group. Long-term folate supplementation resulted in a significant decrease in serum insulin levels (-1.6 ± 6.2 versus +2.6 ± 6.9 μIU/mL, P = 0.018) and homeostatic model assessment-beta cell function (HOMA-B) (-13.0 ± 39.0 versus +11.2 ± 42.3, P = 0.028) compared with the placebo. Additionally, plasma glutathione (GSH) levels were significantly increased (+81.5 ± 264.1 versus -220.9 ± 342.5 μmol/L, P < 0.001) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were significantly reduced (-1.0 ± 1.1 versus +0.1 ± 1.6 μmol/L, P = 0.004) in the folate group compared to the placebo.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, folate supplementation (5 mg/d) for 6 mo among women with CIN1 resulted in its regression as well as led to decreased serum insulin, HOMA-B, plasma MDA and increased plasma GSH levels; however, it did not affect other metabolic profiles.