A single-center, double-blinded, randomized controlled study to evaluate the relative efficacy of sublingual and oral vitamin B-complex administration in reducing total serum homocysteine levels
Yazaki, Y., Chow, G., and Mattie, M.J Altern Complement Med – 01-NOV-2006; 12(9): 881-5.
Objectives: Sublingual versus oral B-complex, each containing 1000mcg of Vitamin B12, was studied in a double blinded, randomized and placebo controlled test to determine the relative efficacies in reducing serum total homocysteine levels (tHcy). The ultimate goal of the study is the clinical use of B-complex vitamins in the treatment of atherosclerosis.
Methods: 41 patients (ages 50-80 years) were randomized into a control (placebo) group, a sublingual group and an oral group. The patients were selected on the basis of serum tHcy concentrations greater than 11μmol/L. The treatment groups underwent a 6 week trial of Vitamin B complex, containing 1000mcg of B12, 400 mcg folic acid, and 5 mg of Vitamin B6. Each treatment group also received the corresponding placebo (e.g. the oral group received a placebo sublingual preparation and the sublingual group received an oral placebo).
Results: Both the sublingual and the oral groups experienced significant reduction in serum tHcy levels (P < .0001) during the treatment period. There was no statistically significant difference between the two dosing regimens.
Conclusions Sublingual b12 and oral B complex preparations containing 1000mcg of B12, 400 mcg folic acid, and 5 mg of Vitamin B6 are effective at decreasing tHcy levels. The results indicated that the use of Vitamin B complex may be indicated in the treatment of atherosclerosis