Abstract
Background: Data on the effects of folic acid supplementation on clinical symptoms and metabolic profiles of patients with
endometrial hyperplasia (EH) are limited. This investigation was performed to evaluate the effects of folic acid supplementation on
clinical symptoms and metabolic status of patients with EH.
Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted among 60 women diagnosed with EH. Diagnosis
of EH was made based on biopsy results. Participants were randomly allocated to 2 groups to take 5 mg/d folic acid supplements
(n = 30) or placebo (n = 30) for 12 weeks.
Results: After the 12-week intervention, folic acid supplementation significantly decreased fasting plasma glucose (β -3.99 mg/
dL; 95% CI, -7.39, -0.59; P = 0.02), serum insulin levels (β -2.82 µIU/mL; 95% CI, -4.86, -0.77; P = 0.008), homeostasis model
assessment for insulin resistance (β -0.68; 95% CI, -1.20, -0.17; P = 0.009), triglycerides (β -16.47 mg/dL; 95% CI, -28.72, -4.22;
P = 0.009) and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol (β -3.29 mg/dL; 95% CI, -5.74, -0.84; P = 0.009), and significantly
increased the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (β 0.01; 95% CI, 0.004, 0.03; P = 0.01) compared with the placebo.
Additionally, folic acid intake resulted in a significant reduction in serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (β -0.36
mg/L; 95% CI, -0.52, -0.21; P < 0.001) compared with the placebo. Folic acid supplementation did not affect other metabolic
parameters.
Conclusion: In conclusion, we found that folic acid administration for 12 weeks to subjects with EH improved glycemic control,
triglycerides, VLDL-cholesterol and hs-CRP levels, but did not influence recurrence and other metabolic profiles.