title: [Evaluation of the polymorphisms in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene and the levels of folate and B12 in HIV-infected patients under antiretroviral therapy].
abstract: In this study we sought to investigate the B12 and folate levels regarding the influence of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase genotypes, immunological profile and antiretroviral therapy in the Brazilian HIV-infected population. The study group comprised 89 HIV-infected individuals and 29 blood donors. There was a decrease in the B12 levels in the HIV-infected group with higher TCD4+ lymphocyte counts. No differences in the genotype distribution for methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphisms between the HIV-infected individuals and the controls were found. HIV-infected individuals carrying the C677C genotype presented lower B12 levels (313.91 +/- 154.05) than those with the same genotype in the control group (408.27 +/- 207.69). Also, the antiretroviral therapy was not a source of variation of the folate and B12 serum levels. Further studies are needed to reanalyze the prevalence of low levels of folate and B12 and hyperhomocysteinemia among HIV-infected patients with regard to the use of HAART and the increased life expectancy of such patients.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Química de Araraquara da Universidade Estadual Paulista, Araraquara, SP. iranmalavazi@bol.com.br
authors.forename: Iran
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Malavazi
authors.forename: Emiliana Pereira
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Abrão
authors.forename: Angela Yumico
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Mikawa
authors.forename: Sandra Antônia
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Tagliavini
authors.forename: Paulo Inácio
authors.initials: PI
authors.lastname: da Costa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D005838:Genotype; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology*; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012307:Risk Factors; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D006710:Homocysteine; D005492:Folic Acid; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2); D014805:Vitamin B 12