None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
People with high blood levels of homocysteine have an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. A previous study by our group has shown that a molecule called 'proline betaine' increased plasma homocysteine levels in rats. Proline betaine is found in the diet with particularly high levels citrus fruits and alfalfa sprouts. This research will investigate whether drinking orange juice raises homocysteine levels healthy male volunteers and if this is a result of proline betaine content. We hope to learn more about how proline betaine influences homocysteine metabolism and whether it has a role in vascular disease.
Interventions
Subjects will receive a single dose of two treatments (a, b) in random order. Treatment (a) is 750 mL orange juice, treatment (b) is proline betaine (0.532g dissolved in 750 mL apple juice). The treatment duration will be one day (24 hours) each week for three consecutive weeks with a wash-out period of 6 days between treatments.
Sponsors
Canterbury Health Laboratories
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Crossover
Primary purpose
Prevention
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
Male
Age
18 Years to 50 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Healthy Caucasian volunteers, with a normal fasting plasma homocysteine concentration.
Exclusion criteria
Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, chronic or acute illness requiring prescription medication, current or previous history of vascular or renal disease, and smokers.
Outcome results
None listed