Influence of MTHFR polymorphisms on cardiovascular risk markers in elite athletes.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the distribution of MTHFR C677T and A1298C as well as PON1 Q192R gene polymorphisms, known to be involved in hyperhomocysteinemia-related cardiovascular risk, in elite athletes.


METHODS
Genetic background at MTHFR and PON1 loci and plasma levels of homocysteine, folate, vitamin B12 and advanced oxidation protein product (AOPP) levels were assessed in thirty-seven 400m male hurdlers and thirty-four sedentary subjects.


RESULTS
Homocysteine plasma levels and AOPPs were significantly higher in hurdlers bearing the TT677/AA1298 diplotype than in both hurdlers and sedentary subjects with other diplotypes. A positive dependence between either homocysteine or AOPP plasma levels and MTHFR, but not PON1 genotype, was observed in hurdlers.


CONCLUSIONS
Elite hurdlers, having an unfavorable MTHFR genotype are exposed to increased cardiovascular risk, dependent on alterations of homocysteine and AOPP plasma levels.
Department of Biomedical Sciences and Morpho-functional Imaging, Polyclinic Hospital University, Building G, Biological Tower, Via C. Valeria 1, 98125 Messina, Italy. Electronic address: monica.curro@unime.it.
Monica
M
Currò
Department of Biomedical Sciences and Morpho-functional Imaging, Polyclinic Hospital University, Building G, Biological Tower, Via C. Valeria 1, 98125 Messina, Italy. Electronic address: ddimauro@unime.it.
Debora
D
Di Mauro
Department of Biomedical Sciences and Morpho-functional Imaging, Polyclinic Hospital University, Building G, Biological Tower, Via C. Valeria 1, 98125 Messina, Italy. Electronic address: daniele.bruschetta@unime.it.
Daniele
D
Bruschetta
Department of Biomedical Sciences and Morpho-functional Imaging, Polyclinic Hospital University, Building G, Biological Tower, Via C. Valeria 1, 98125 Messina, Italy. Electronic address: fededamico92@gmail.com.
Federico
F
D'Amico
Department of Biomedical Sciences and Morpho-functional Imaging, Polyclinic Hospital University, Building G, Biological Tower, Via C. Valeria 1, 98125 Messina, Italy. Electronic address: mercuriovecchio@gmail.com.
Mercurio
M
Vecchio
Department of Biomedical Sciences and Morpho-functional Imaging, Polyclinic Hospital University, Building G, Biological Tower, Via C. Valeria 1, 98125 Messina, Italy. Electronic address: fatrim@unime.it.
Fabio
F
Trimarchi
Department of Biomedical Sciences and Morpho-functional Imaging, Polyclinic Hospital University, Building G, Biological Tower, Via C. Valeria 1, 98125 Messina, Italy. Electronic address: ientile@unime.it.
Riccardo
R
Ientile
Department of Biomedical Sciences and Morpho-functional Imaging, Polyclinic Hospital University, Building G, Biological Tower, Via C. Valeria 1, 98125 Messina, Italy. Electronic address: dcaccamo@unime.it.
Daniela
D
Caccamo
D062107:Advanced Oxidation Protein Products / Q000097:blood; D043303:Aryldialkylphosphatase / Q000235:genetics; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000235:genetics*; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D013177:Sports
D062107:Advanced Oxidation Protein Products; D015415:Biomarkers; D006710:Homocysteine; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2); D043303:Aryldialkylphosphatase; C468406:PON1 protein, human
Advanced oxidation protein products; Cardiovascular risk; Elite athletes; Gene polymorphisms; Homocysteine