Dimethylglycine supplementation does not affect plasma homocysteine concentrations in pre-dialysis chronic renal failure patients.

Sandy Slow, David O McGregor, Michael Lever, Martin B Lee, Peter M George, Stephen T Chambers

Journal: Clinical biochemistry 2005;37(11):974-6

PMID: 15498524

Full Text on Elsevier Science View on PubMed

Abstract

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether daily dimethylglycine supplementation affects plasma homocysteine concentrations.

DESIGN AND METHODS

A randomized, blinded, crossover design was used. Seven pre-dialysis chronic renal failure patients consumed 400 mg of dimethylglycine or placebo daily for 28 days. Fasting blood samples and 12-h urine samples were collected at baseline and at the end of each treatment period for analysis.

RESULTS

No significant differences were observed in plasma homocysteine (P = 0.624), glycine betaine (P = 0.452) and methionine (P = 0.457) concentrations between dimethylglycine and placebo treatments.

CONCLUSION

Daily supplementation with dimethylglycine does not affect plasma homocysteine.

Address: Biochemistry Unit, Canterbury Health Laboratories, PO Box 151 Christchurch, New Zealand. [email protected]

DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2004.07.005