Effects of the interaction between the C677T 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphism and serum B vitamins on homocysteine levels in pregnant women.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the interaction between the C677T mutation in the 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) genotypes and serum levels of B vitamins on serum homocysteine levels in pregnant women.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Ewha Womans University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.


METHODS
A total of 177 normal pregnant women, 24.6+/-1.1 weeks of gestation, in a 6-month period during 2001-2002.


METHODS
Serum vitamin B2, vitamin B6, and homocysteine analyses were conducted using high-performance liquid chromatography methods. Serum folate and vitamin B12 concentrations were determined using a radioimmunoassay kit. MTHFR gene mutation was investigated by the polymerase chain reaction of a genomic DNA fragment.


RESULTS
Serum homocysteine was higher in women with the T/T genotype than those with the C/T or C/C genotype of the MTHFR gene (P<0.05). Serum homocysteine was negatively correlated with serum folate in all MTHFR genotypes (P<0.001), and the correlation between the two serum levels was the strongest in the T/T genotype. Serum homocysteine was higher in the subjects with the T/T MTHFR genotype only when the serum folate was below the median level. Explanatory power of B vitamin status as predictors of serum homocysteine levels was more pronounced in the T/T genotypes (68.5%) compared with the C/T (37.9%) or C/C genotypes (20.6%).


CONCLUSIONS
Serum homocysteine levels in pregnant women varied significantly with MTHFR genotype and the serum B vitamin status. Higher serum folate, vitamin B2, and vitamin B12 concentrations may lessen the MTHFR genotypic effect on serum homocysteine levels.
Kim
K N
KN
Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea.
Kim
Y J
YJ
Chang
N
N
D000328:Adult; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D005838:Genotype; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) / Q000235:genetics*; D009154:Mutation; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011247:Pregnancy; D011863:Radioimmunoassay / Q000379:methods; D012256:Riboflavin / Q000097:blood*; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood*; D025101:Vitamin B 6 / Q000097:blood*
D006710:Homocysteine; D025101:Vitamin B 6; D005492:Folic Acid; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2); D014805:Vitamin B 12; D012256:Riboflavin