Aktuelle Neurologie 2004; 31 - P609
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-833472

Entacapone but not folate prevents L-DOPA-induced hyperhomocysteinemia

M Krause 1, Q Wang 1, J Okun 1, S Schwab 1, N Henninger 1
  • 1(Heidelberg)

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.