title: MTHFR C677T polymorphism affects normotensive diastolic blood pressure independently of blood lipids.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism was found to be associated with hypertension. High blood pressure (BP) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, gestational hypertension, and high-risk pregnancy. BP is a complex trait strongly associated with blood lipid parameters. However, studies of the effect of MTHFR C677T polymorphism on BP levels independently of blood lipids are scarce. Our objective was to analyze and quantify the effect of MTHFR C677T polymorphism on normotensive BP independently of blood lipids.
  
  
  METHODS
  MTHFR C677T genotyping was done for 151 Israeli women attending the genetics clinic at Soroka Medical Center. Biochemical (blood lipids) and BP data were extracted from Soroka Medical Center records. BP was regarded as a continuous parameter using analysis of covariance and post hoc Tukey's HSD (honestly significant difference) analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The frequencies of genotypes CC, TT, and CT were 41%, 12%, and 47%, respectively. A significant (P < 0.0001) association was found between genotype and diastolic BP (DBP) when adjusted to body mass index and age. Mean DBP was significantly lower for CC than for TT genotypes (71.2 vs. 78.7 mm Hg); however the difference between the heterozygotes (73.9 mm Hg) and the other 2 genotypes was not significant. Cholesterol, LDLcalc (LDLcalculaed), and homocysteine blood levels significantly contributed to the effect of MTHFR C677T polymorphism on the DBP trait. There was also significant association between genotype and folic acid levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MTHFR C677T polymorphism significantly affects DBP in Israeli women, independently of blood lipids. Each C to T substitution is associated with a mean 3.4-mm Hg increase in DBP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Accounting and Data Management, Lev Academic Center, Jerusalem, Israel;
authors.forename: Eliyahu M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Heifetz
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Health Science, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel. ruthb@ariel.ac.il.
authors.forename: Ruth Z
authors.initials: RZ
authors.lastname: Birk
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000235:genetics*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003971:Diastole / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005838:Genotype; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D008055:Lipids; D006710:Homocysteine; D005492:Folic Acid; C573423:MTHFR protein, human; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2)
keywords: MTHFR; blood pressure; diastolic; hypertension; polymorphism.