Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) remain a major cause of morbidity. This narrative mini-review aimed to investigate the potential role of folic acid (FA) in DFUs. Individuals with DFUs exhibit lower levels of FA and lower daily intake, compared to those without DFUs. There is preliminary evidence that FA administration may contribute to improved DFUs healing. In this context, regular evaluation of dietary FA intake may prove important towards reduction or even prevention of DFUs. However, data are still limited and further research is required to enable definitive conclusions and any recommendations.
BoultonAJM. The diabetic foot: grand overview, epidemiology and pathogenesis. Diabetes Metab Res Rev. 2008;24(Suppl 1):S3–S6.
2.
KarakousisNDPyrgiotiEEGeorgakopoulosPNPapanasN. Sarcopenia, frailty and diabetic foot: a mini narrative review. Int J Low Extrem Wounds. 2022;153473462211114, Epub ahead of print.
3.
ArmstrongDGBoultonAJMBusSA. Diabetic foot ulcers and their recurrence. New Engl J Med. 2017;376(24):2367–2375.
4.
YadavCSrikantiahRMManjrekarPShenoyMTChaudhuryD. Assessment of mineral pathophysiology in patients with diabetic foot ulcer. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2020;195(2):366–372.
5.
AsbaghiOAshtary-LarkyDBagheriR, et al.Folic acid supplementation improves glycemic control for diabetes prevention and management: a systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Nutrients. 2021;13(7):2355.
6.
LiewS-C. Folic acid and diseases—supplement it or not?Rev Assoc Méd Brasil. 2016;62(1):90–100.
7.
ChenHLiuSJiL, et al.Folic acid supplementation mitigates Alzheimer’s disease by reducing inflammation: a randomized controlled trial. Med Inflamm. 2016;2016:1–10.
8.
BahmaniFKaramaliMShakeriHAsemiZ. The effects of folate supplementation on inflammatory factors and biomarkers of oxidative stress in overweight and obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Clin Endocrinol. 2014;81(4):582–587.
9.
DonnellanLSimpsonBSDhillonVSCostabileMFenechMDeoP. Folic acid deficiency increases sensitivity to DNA damage by glucose and methylglyoxal. Mutagenesis. 2022;37(1):24–33.
10.
ReddySAnoopSJebasinghFK, et al.Differentials in dietary intake of macro and micronutrients in patients with type 2 diabetes and foot ulcers: observations from a pilot study. Clin Nutr. 2022;47:170–176.
11.
ErdoganMSolmazSCanatarogluA, et al.Plasma thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) antigen levels in diabetic foot ulcers. Endocrine. 2010;37(3):449–454.
12.
GonzálezRPedroTRealJT, et al.Plasma homocysteine levels are associated with ulceration of the foot in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Metab Res Rev. 2010;26(2):115–120.
13.
BoykinJVHokeGDDriscollCRDharmarajBS. High-dose folic acid and its effect on early stage diabetic foot ulcer wound healing. Wound Rep Regen. 2020;28(4):517–525.
14.
CollinsRBurrowsTDonnellyHTehanPE. Macronutrient and micronutrient intake of individuals with diabetic foot ulceration: a short report. J Hum Nutr Diet. 2022;35(5):786–790.
15.
ApergiKDimosthenopoulosCPapanasN. The role of nutrients and diet characteristics in the management of diabetic foot ulcers: a systematic review. Int J Low Extrem Wounds. 2023:15347346231153531. Online ahead of print.
16.
KarakousisNDPyrgiotiEEGeorgakopoulosPNApergiKPapanasN. Magnesium and diabetic foot ulcers: a mini review. Int J Low Extrem Wounds. 2023:15347346231176117. Online ahead of print.
