[Relationship between 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase genetic polymorphism and arsenic metabolism].
OBJECTIVE
To study the relationship between 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase(MTHFR) genetic polymorphism and arsenic metabolism and the role of folate in it.


METHODS
Forty-three individuals who were exposed to arsenic more than 0.05 mg/L in well water were chosen and the vein blood and morning urine was collected; The MTHFR C677 polymorphism was analyzed by PCR-RFLP method ; Urinary inorganic and methylated arsenic were speciated by high performance liquid chromatography combined with hydride-generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry; Microbiological assay was used to estimate serum folate.


RESULTS
Subjects with the genotype of CT/TT had the increased percentage of urinary As3+ (r=27.17, P=0.029) and decreased percentage of urinary dimethylarsinic acid (r=26.57, P=0.033). No association was observed among serum folate, genetic polymorphisms of MTHFR C677 and the percentage of urinary arsenic (P>0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Genetic polymorphism of MTHFR C677 was significantly associated with arsenic methylation and this effect was not associated with the serum folate.
Deng
Fu-rong
FR
Department of Occupational & Enviromental Health Sciences, Peking University School of Public Health, Beijing 100083,China.
Guo
Xin-biao
XB
Chen
Li
L
Wang
Zhi-quan
ZQ
Zhang
Kai
K
D001151:Arsenic / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008745:Methylation; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length
D005492:Folic Acid; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2); D001151:Arsenic