LEUTERO (Leucovorin)

LEUTERO(Leucovorin) – a natural metabolite of tetrahydrofolic acid, chemically, it is a reduced formula of folic acid. LEUTERO, as an enzyme, also takes part in the biosynthesis of nucleic acids (DNA, RNA), like folic acid. But dehydrofolate reductase is no longer used for its metabolism. LEUTERO is used as an antidote to drugs (cytostatics) that deactivate dehydrofolate reductase and folic acid, causing cell death. Moreover, LEUTERO has a selective action in relation to healthy cells (a different transport mechanism through the cytoplasmic membrane) and therefore, it is well combined with cytostatics in the treatment of neoplasms. In addition, LEUTERO, being, in fact, an active metabolite of folic acid, completely replaces its participation in all metabolic processes (synthesis of heme and others).

In the human body, LEUTERO (Leucovorin) is intensively involved in metabolic processes, being metabolized into tetrahydrofolic acid derivatives. The main active metabolite is 5 methyltetrahydrofolate, in the form of which all folates are accumulated and transported in the body. Intravenous administration of LEUTERO leads to a therapeutic effect within 5 minutes. The maximum concentration of the drug in the blood, with intramuscular injection, is observed after 8-12 minutes, and for the clinical effect, about 15 minutes are needed. The main depot of folates is the liver, where they accumulate about 50% and the main metabolism takes place.