Levomefolate (calcium salt hydrate) (Synonyms: BAY 86-7660, LMCA)

Levomefolate is the calcium salt of 5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid , a biologically active form of folic acid that functions, in conjunction with Vitamin B₁₂ , as a methyl-group donor involved in the conversion of homocysteine to methionine.^1,2 The availability of methyl groups is essential for a variety of methylation reactions including the synthesis of DNA and proper neural tube closure.¹ Levomefolate is included in formulations of certain oral contraceptives to ensure adequate folic acid levels in women of child-bearing age to reduce the risk of neural tube defects. The combination of levomefolate and oral contraceptives increases folic acid levels.^3,4

1.Blom, H.J., and Smulders, Y.Overview of homocysteine and folate metabolism. With special references to cardiovascular disease and neural tube defectsJ.Inherit.Metab.Dis.34(1)75-81(2011) 2.Zhang, X., Li, H., Jin, H., et al.Effects of homocysteine on endothelial nitric oxide productionAmerican Journal of Physiology.Renal Physiology279(4)671-678(2000) 3.Blode, H., Klipping, C., Richard, F., et al.Bioequivalence study of an oral contraceptive containing ethinylestradiol/drospirenone/levomefolate calcium relative to ethinylestradiol/drospirenone and to levomefolate calcium aloneContraception85(2)177-184(2012) 4.Bart, S., Sr., Marr, J., Diefenbach, K., et al.Folate status and homocysteine levels during a 24-week oral administration of a folate-containing oral contraceptive: A randomized, double-blind, active-controlled, parallel-group, US-based multicenter studyContraception85(1)42-50(2012)