title: B-vitamins, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and hypertension.
abstract: Hypertension is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and stroke. A common polymorphism in the gene encoding the enzyme methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), previously identified as the main genetic determinant of elevated homocysteine concentration and also recognized as a risk factor for CVD, appears to be independently associated with hypertension. The B-vitamin riboflavin is required as a cofactor by MTHFR and recent evidence suggests it may have a role in modulating blood pressure, specifically in those with the homozygous mutant MTHFR 677 TT genotype. If studies confirm that this genetic predisposition to hypertension is correctable by low-dose riboflavin, the findings could have important implications for the management of hypertension given that the frequency of this polymorphism ranges from 3 to 32 % worldwide.
authors.affiliation: Nothern Ireland Centre for Food and Health, University of Ulster, Coleraine BT52 1SA, UK. mw.ward@ulster.ac.uk
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.forename: Carol P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Strain
authors.forename: Geraldine
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Horigan
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: Helene
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: McNulty
mesh_terms: D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000235:genetics* / Q000517:prevention & control; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D012256:Riboflavin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014803:Vitamin B Complex / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D014803:Vitamin B Complex; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2); D012256:Riboflavin