Hyperhomocysteinaemia, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphism and risk of coronary artery disease.
BACKGROUND
Hyperhomocysteinaemia is an independent, graded risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). The methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphism is associated with hyperhomcysteinaemia and may therefore influence individual susceptibility to CAD. We have investigated this risk factor in a Tunisian Arab population.


METHODS
Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis was used to detect the C677T and A1298C variants of the MTHFR gene in 100 patients with CAD and 120 healthy controls. The severity of CAD was expressed as the number of affected vessels. Plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) concentration was determined using a direct chemiluminescence assay.


RESULTS
MTHFR CC, CT and TT genotype frequencies in the CAD group were significantly different from those observed in the control group (49%, 35% and 16% versus 48.3%, 45.8% and 5.8%, respectively; P = 0.031). However, MTHFR AA, AC and CC genotypes frequencies in the CAD group were not significantly different from the control group ( P = 0.568). Patients with CAD showed higher plasma tHcy concentrations than patients without CAD (15.86 +/- 8.63 micromol/L versus 11.90 +/- 3.25 micromol/L, P < 0.001). There was no association between the MTHFR polymorphisms and the number of stenosed vessels. Patients with the MTHFR TT genotype had higher plasma tHcy, serum creatinine, cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations than patients with the MTHFR CC genotype.


CONCLUSIONS
The C677T polymorphism of the MTHFR gene is associated with hyperhomocysteinaemia, lipid dysregulation and the presence of CAD in this Tunisian Arab population.
Kerkeni
Mohsen
M
Research Unit 03/UR/08-14, Faculty of Pharmacy, Monastir, Tunisia. m.kerkeni@belgique.com
Addad
Faouzi
F
Chauffert
Maryline
M
Myara
Anne
A
Gerhardt
Marie
M
Chevenne
Didier
D
Trivin
François
F
Farhat
Mohamed Ben
MB
Miled
Abdelhedi
A
Maaroufi
Khira
K
D018912:Arabs / Q000235:genetics; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D020138:Hyperhomocysteinemia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012307:Risk Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D014416:Tunisia
D014280:Triglycerides; D006710:Homocysteine; D002784:Cholesterol; D003404:Creatinine; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2)