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Effect of an antioxidant drink on homocysteine levels in Alzheimer's patients
Morillas-Ruiz JM, Rubio-Perez JM, Albaladejo MD, Zafrilla P, Parra S, Vidal-Guevara ML.. Journal of the neurological sciences, 2010-09-20
Topic: Amyloid, tau and blood-test diagnosis
Background A large body of evidence supports a role of oxidative stress in Alzheimer disease (AD) and in cerebrovascular disease. Blood levels of homocysteine may be increased in AD and hyperhomocysteinemia may contribute to disease pathophysiology by vascular and direct neurotoxic mechanisms. Even in the absence of vitamin deficiency, plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) concentration may be influenced by administration of polyphenols. Objective To determine the effect of an antioxidant beverage rich in polyphenols on the plasmatic levels of tHcy in Alzheimer's patients. Design, setting, and patients A multicenter, randomized, double-blind controlled clinical trial of polyphenols supplementation in 100 subjects (52 of control group, 24 AD patients in initial phase and 24 AD patients in moderate phase) (Mini-Mental State Examination scores between 14 and 26, inclusive). Fasting plasma concentrations of tHcy, folate and vitamin B(12) were measured before (Ti) and after (Tf) the ingestion of the beverage. The study was conducted at clinical research places of the Catholic University San Antonio and University Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca of Murcia (Spain). Intervention Participants of the three groups were randomly assigned to 2 groups of the same size: 50% treated with antioxidant beverage rich in polyphenols and 50% treated with an identical placebo beverage. Subjects consumed 1 brick (200 mL/day) of antioxidant drink or placebo drink for 8 months. Results Higher tHcy levels were observed in the AD moderate phase patients (Ti:12.65±1.21 μmol/L) than in the AD initial phase patients (Ti:9.13±1.24 μmol/L) and in the control group (Ti:9.86±0.77 μmol/L). Lower folate levels were observed in the AD moderate phase patients (Ti:8.20±1.29 ng/mL) than in the AD initial phase patients (Ti:9.41±1.56 ng/mL) and in the control group (Ti:12.32±0.67 ng/mL). Antioxidant drink vs placebo drink attenuated the tHcy increase in the control group (Tf values of 11.74±0.45 vs 15.63±1.79 μmol/L) and AD patients, especially in the moderate phase (Tf: 10.49±0.73 vs 16.58±2.73 μmol/L). Conclusions The regular ingestion of polyphenols contained in an antioxidant beverage may decrease tHcy plasmatic concentrations in Alzheimer's patients.
Key findings
- Results Higher tHcy levels were observed in the AD moderate phase patients (Ti:12.65±1.21 μmol/L) than in the AD initial phase patients (Ti:9.13±1.24 μmol/L) and in the control group (Ti:9.86±0.77 μmol/L).
Why it matters
This trial measured homocysteine levels in Alzheimer's patients and controls and found higher levels in patients in the moderate phase of the disease than in those in the initial phase or in controls. The available text does not report whether the antioxidant drink changed homocysteine levels or affected the disease.
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Study details
- Participants100
- Evidence strengthHigh
How this study scored 58/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it is a randomised controlled trial. Scored zero for effect reported because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Journal of the neurological sciences) |
| Journal's citation record | 2 / 4 | Journal of the Neurological Sciences: journal h-index 233 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 11 / 12 | A randomised controlled trial (from PubMed type “Randomized Controlled Trial”) |
| Strength of evidence | 5 / 5 | Rated “high” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 1 / 5 | 2010 — within 20 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 2 / 4 | 100 participants |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 3 / 3 | Studied in people (participant count stated) |
| Randomised / blinded | 2 / 2 | Randomised and blinded or placebo-controlled (as stated in the record) |
| Times cited | 4 / 7 | Cited 58 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 2 / 5 | 3.2 citations a year over 18 year(s) since 2010 |
| Impact for its field and year | 2 / 6 | Cited 2.4× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 1 / 6 | Cited by 1 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 1 / 4 | Cited 9 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 1 / 4 | Last-listed author M.L. Vidal‐Guevara: h-index 7 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca: institution h-index 238 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 2 / 3 | PubMed indexes it as a multicentre study |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 20850133) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 58 / 100 | — |
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Read the original
May need a subscription Unpaywall, Europe PMC and OpenAlex found no free copy of the full text (checked 10 Oct 2026), so the publisher may charge for it. The PubMed abstract is free.
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Morillas-Ruiz, J. M., Rubio-Perez, J. M., Albaladejo, M. D., Zafrilla, P., Parra, S., & Vidal-Guevara, M. L. (2010). Effect of an antioxidant drink on homocysteine levels in Alzheimer's patients. Journal of the neurological sciences. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jns.2010.08.050
Vancouver
Morillas-Ruiz JM, Rubio-Perez JM, Albaladejo MD, Zafrilla P, Parra S, Vidal-Guevara ML. Effect of an antioxidant drink on homocysteine levels in Alzheimer's patients. Journal of the neurological sciences. 2010. doi:10.1016/j.jns.2010.08.050. PMID: 20850133.
BibTeX
@article{morillasruiz2010-20850133,
author = {Morillas-Ruiz, J. M. and Rubio-Perez, J. M. and Albaladejo, M. D. and Zafrilla, P. and Parra, S. and Vidal-Guevara, M. L.},
title = {{Effect of an antioxidant drink on homocysteine levels in Alzheimer's patients}},
journal = {Journal of the neurological sciences},
year = {2010},
doi = {10.1016/j.jns.2010.08.050},
pmid = {20850133},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jns.2010.08.050}
}
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