High folic acid intake dysregulates hepatic cholesterol

Expression of genes in cholesterol synthesis, transport or turnover (Abcg5, Abcg8, Abcc2, Cyp46a1, and Hmgcs1) was perturbed by high folic acid intake.

We also observed increased hepatic cholesterol and increased expression of genes such as Sirt1, which might be involved in a rescue response to restore cholesterol homeostasis.

Our work suggests that high folic acid consumption disturbs cholesterol homeostasis in liver. This finding may have particular relevance for MTHFR-deficient individuals, who represent ~10% of many populations." (R1)