title: Does the polymorphism 677C-T of the 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene contribute to homocysteine-related vascular disease?
abstract: Whether the 677C-T polymorphism of the methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene acts as a risk factor for homocysteine-related vascular disease remains a matter of debate. Testing for the 677C-T nucleotide substitution and assay of plasma homocysteine were carried out simultaneously in 69 controls and 113 vascular disease patients from the Paris area. The variant gene frequency as well as the variant homozygous genotype frequency were very similar in controls and patients. Conversely, plasma homocysteine levels were substantially higher in patients than in controls. A slight interaction between the 677C-T MTHFR polymorphism and homocysteinaemia was observed in the patient group only, while a negative correlation between fasting homocysteine and plasma folate levels was found in all individuals homozygous for the 677C-T MTHFR genotype, irrespective of vascular disease. These data suggest that the 677C-T MTHFR polymorphism is not a major determinant of the vascular disease but contributes to increased plasma homocysteine concentration in conjunction with low plasma folate levels.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Biochimie Génétique, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, Paris, France.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Thuillier
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chadefaux-Vekemans
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Bonnefont
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kara
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Aupetit
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rochette
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Montalescot
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Couty
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kamoun
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ankri
mesh_terms: D045103:5,10-Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (FADH2); D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood; D005838:Genotype; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2); D008875:Middle Aged; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012307:Risk Factors; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D006710:Homocysteine; D005492:Folic Acid; D010088:Oxidoreductases; D045103:5,10-Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (FADH2); D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2); D014805:Vitamin B 12