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DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-833472
Entacapone but not folate prevents L-DOPA-induced hyperhomocysteinemia
Introduction: Recent studies suggested that administration of levodopa increases total homocysteine plasma level (tHcy). Hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk factor for arteriosclerotic vascular events. This study tested if a co-treatment with entacapone or folate reduces tHcy.
Materials and Methods: 27 Wistar rats received 100mg levodopa/kg body weight (kg BW) intraperitoneally (i.p.), followed by a second injection of vehicle (n=9), 30mg entacapone/kg BW (n=9), or 0.5mg folate/kg BW (n=9). THcy was measured at baseline, 4h, 8h, and 12h post dosing.
Results: Levodopa increased tHcy from 4.3µM before dosing to 11.5µM at 4h. Co-treatment with folate had no effect on the resulting tHcy. Entacapone inhibited the increase of tHcy effectively.