Low Serum Folate is Associated with Increased Risk of Chronic Kidney Disease Independently of Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Capacities

Abstract

Increased oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant defense function may cause later cancer development in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Folate involves in DNA synthesis and its deficiency may cause cancer development. However, the associations of folate with oxidative stress and antioxidant capacities in CKD patients are unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the association of folate with oxidative stress indicators and antioxidant capacities, and to further analyze their relationships with respect to risk for CKD. Ninety-three CKD patients and 135 healthy subjects were recruited. Patients with CKD had significantly higher levels of malondialdehyde and total antioxidant capacities, but had significantly lower activities of glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase and superoxide dismutase when compared to healthy subjects. There were no any significant associations of folate with oxidative stress indicators and antioxidant capacities in CKD patients and healthy subjects. Subjects with lower serum folate concentration exhibited significantly increased risk of CKD with (OR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.76 – 0.99) or without (OR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.90 – 0.97) adjustment for potential confounders. Decreased folate was strongly associated with the risk of CKD independently of oxidative stress indicators and antioxidant capacities. This study was partially supported by Bing Shing Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Taiwan.