Effect of folic acid combined with pravastatin on arteriosclerosis in elderly hypertensive patients with lacunar infarction

This study aimed to assess the effect of folic acid combined with pravastatin on atherosclerosis-related indexes in elderly patients with hypertension complicated with lacunar cerebral infarction. A total of 134 elderly hypertensive patients with lacunar cerebral infarction were randomly divided into 3 groups using the random number table method. Group A, the folic acid group, had 45 cases and received low-dose folic acid (0.8 mg/d) treatment on the basis of antihypertensive treatment. Group B, the pravastatin group, had 45 cases and received pravastatin (20 mg/d) treatment on the basis of antihypertensive treatment. Group C, the folic acid combined with the pravastatin group, had 44 cases. Members of this group received pravastatin (20 mg/d) and low-dose folic acid (0.8 mg/d) based on antihypertensive treatment. Levels of folic acid, homocysteine (Hcy), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a), matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9), cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were measured by ELISA before treatment in all 3 groups. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) was measured using ultrasound, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured with a mercury column. After 8 weeks of treatment, the levels of folic acid, Hcy, TNF-a, MMP-9, TC, LDL-C, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were compared among the 3 groups. IMT levels were measured at 12 weeks of treatment. After 8 weeks of treatment, compared with group B, patients in groups A and C had folic acid levels significantly higher than baseline levels, with significantly lower Hcy levels (both P < .05). Patients in group C presented significantly decreased TNF-a, MMP-9, TC, and LDL-C levels and systolic and diastolic blood pressure after 8 weeks of treatment, compared with those in groups A and B (both P < .05). These patients also showed significantly decreased IMT levels compared with those in the other groups (P < .05). Low-dose folic acid combined with pravastatin in elderly patients with lacunar cerebral infarction can reduce the level of homocysteine, improve the degree of carotid atherosclerosis, protect vascular endothelium, and reduce blood lipids and blood pressure, presenting better benefits than pravastatin alone.