Hyperhomocysteinemia, C677T MTHFR polymorphism and ischemic stroke in Tunisian patients.
BACKGROUND
Hyperhomocysteinaemia has been identified as a strong risk factor for ischemic stroke (IS). A point mutation in methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR C677T) has been associated with increased plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels.


OBJECTIVE
This preliminary study aimed to investigate whether hyperhomocysteinaemia and/or MTHFR C677T mutation are associated with ischemic stroke.


METHODS
A case-control study including 50 consecutive patients with confirmed IS and 97 controls was performed. Fasting plasma homocysteine levels, MTHFR C677T genotypes were assessed. Other factors such as hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, recurrent stroke tobacco and alcohol were investigated.


RESULTS
Mean plasma homocysteine levels were significantly higher in IS patients than in controls (15.83+/-10.60) μmol/L vs 13.78+/-6.29 μmol/L, p=0.04), while no association of MTHFR C677T variant was observed even with homocysteine. The risk to develop ischemic stroke in hyperhomocysteinemic subjects was 2.4 times more than in subjects with normal Hcy levels (OR= 2.4; 95% CI: 1.13-5.06; p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that high levels of homocysteine but not MTHFR C677T polymorphism represent risk factors for arterial ischemic stroke in Tunisian subjects.
Salem-Berrabah
Olfa Ben
OB
Hematology Department, Military Hospital, 1008 Mont-Fleury, Tunis, Tunisia.
Mrissa
Ridha
R
Machghoul
Salem
S
Hamida
Abdelhamid Ben
AB
N'siri
Brahim
B
Mazigh
Chakib
C
Aouni
Zied
Z
Louati
Ines
I
Layouni
Sami
S
El Oudi
Mabrouka
M
Fekih-Mrissa
Nejiba
N
Gritli
Nasreddine
N
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020138:Hyperhomocysteinemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology*; D014416:Tunisia
D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2)