Objectives: Hyperlipidemia is conventional risk factors of atherosclerosis. In addition, hyperhomocysteinemia was also shown to lead to accelerated atherosclerosis. One of the leading causes of the increase in homocysteine levels is insufficient folic acid intake. Folic acid administration was demonstrated to protective effects on atherosclerosis. In the present study we aimed to investigate the effects of atorvastatin and folic acid administration on lipid profile and homocystein in the treatment of hyperlipidemia, an atherosclerosis risk factor.

Materials and Methods: The study included 60 combined hyperlipidemic patients. The patients were randomly allocated to three groups. Only atorvastatin to first group, only folic acid to second group and atorvastatin and folic acid to third group were administered. The study lasted 12 weeks. Lipids and homocysteine levels were studied at the beginning and in the 4^th and 12^th weeks.

Results: It was seen that the group that was administered atorvastatin only had significant changes in the lipids, but not in homocysteine level. The group that received folic acid only was found to have no change in the lipid profile, but had a significant decrease in homocysteine levels. The group that was administered both atorvastatin and folic acid was observed to undergo significant changes in both.

Conclusion: Addition of folic acid to atorvastation treatment significantly reduced homocysteine levels, but wasn’t observed to have an additional effect on lipids. Evaluation of homocysteine levels in individuals have atherosclerosis risk factors like hyperlipidemia and administration of treatment if the levels are found high, will confer extra benefits in atherosclerosis. ©2006, Fırat Üniversitesi, Tıp Fakültesi