利用LightCycler研究食管鳞状细胞癌与MTHFR C677T多态性的关系

亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶(MTHFR)在叶酸代谢中起重要作用.MTHFR基因第677位核苷酸的多态性(C→T)能影响其酶活性并与肿瘤易感性有关.为比较中国北方人群MTHFR C677T多态性与食管鳞状细胞癌(ESCC)易感性之间的关系, 通过高速实时聚合酶链反应(real-time PCR)和解链曲线(melting curve)方法分析了189名ESCC患者和141名健康对照的MTHFR C677T多态性位点的基因型.结果显示,健康对照组的MTHFR C/C(纯合野生)、C/T和T/T(纯合突变)基因型的频率分别为17.7%、38.3%和44.0%.ESCC患者的T/T基因型频率(42.3%)与健康对照组无显著差异(χ2=0.089, P＞0.05),其C/T基因型频率(49.2%)仅略高于对照组(χ2＝3.890, P＜0.05),而患者组的C/C基因型频率(8.5%)显著低于健康对照组(17.7%) (χ2=6.37, P=0.012).与C/T和T/T基因型相比,C/C基因型可显著降低ESCC的发病风险(相对风险度的比值比(OR)=0.43, 95%可信区间(CI)=0.22～0.84),在吸烟者和有上消化道肿瘤家族史的患者中这一倾向更加明显.研究提示,在中国北方人群中, MTHFR C677T纯合野生基因型对ESCC的发病起保护作用.     

不明原因复发性自然流产夫妇MTHFR C677T位点多态性分析

目的：分析不明原因复发性自然流产（URSA）夫妇与亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶基因C677T（MTHFR C677T）位点多态性的关 联性研究。方法：采用聚合酶链式反应- 限制性片段长度多态性( PCR-RFLP)对URSA 组和对照组各50 对夫妇的外周血进行 MTHFR C677T 的位点多态性进行检测分析。结果：URSA 组MTHFR 基因677 位点的T/T、C/T+T/T 基因型的发生频率显著高于 对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05),而对照组MTHFR 基因677 位点的C/C 基因型发生频率显著高于URSA 组（P<0.05）,两 组MTHFR 基因677 位点的C/T 基因型比较无明显差异（P>0.05)。另外URSA 组等位基因T 明显高于C 的频率,且URSA 组等 位基因T 发生频率显著高于对照组,对照组等位基因C 发生频率显著高于USRA 组,差异均具有统计学意义（P<0.05）。结论： MTHFR C677T 位点的多态性与URSA 的发生密切相关,是该病的重要遗传风险因素。     

亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶基因C677T、G1793A 单核苷酸多态性 与散发性乳腺癌易感性的关系

目的:研究亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶(MTHFR)基因C677T、G1793A位点单核苷酸多态性与散发性乳腺癌易感性关系。方法:采用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性(PCR-RFLP)方法,对200例乳腺癌患者及200例正常对照者MTHFR基因C677T、G1793A位点单核苷酸多态性进行分析,logistic回归分析不同基因型与乳腺癌风险的关系。结果:乳腺癌组MTHFR 677TT基因型频率为25.00%显著高于正常对照组的10.50%(X2=14.401,P=0.001),CT基因型频率为44.50%低于正常对照组的54.50%,CC基因型频率在乳腺癌组和正常对照组中无差别;MTHFR 1793GA基因型频率为18.50%显著高于正常对照者的8.50%(X2=8.563,P=0.003)。乳腺癌患者MTHFR 677T和1793A等位基因频率分别为47.25%、9.25%,显著高于对照组中的37.75%、4.25%。MTHFR 677TT基因型携带者罹患乳腺癌的风险是677CC基因型携带者的2.732倍(95%CI=1.418～5.051,P=0.001),MTHFR1793GA基因型携带者罹患乳腺癌的风险是1793GG基因型携带者的2.444倍(95%CI=1.325～4.505,P=0.003)。另外,乳腺癌组中MTHFR C677T基因多态性与肿瘤大小相关(x2=7.431,P=0.024,MTHFR G1793A基因多态性与淋巴结转移情况(x2=8.939,P=0.011)、癌组织学分级(x2=9.983,P=0.007)相关。结论:MTHFR C677T、G1793A基因多态性与散发性乳腺癌的易感性相关。     

MTHFR C677T、A1298C基因多态性与老年单纯收缩期高血压患者Hcy、血脂水平的关系研究

摘要 目的：研究5,10-亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶（MTHFR）C677T、A1298C基因多态性与老年单纯收缩期高血压（ISH）患者同型半胱氨酸（Hcy）、血脂水平的关系。方法：选取2019年3月至2021年3月期间中南大学湘雅医学院附属海口医院全科医学科收治的212例老年ISH患者作为ISH组,以同期体检无高血压老年人120例为对照组。检测两组MTHFR C677T、A1298C基因多态性。收集两组一般资料及血浆Hcy及血脂检查结果。观察MTHFR C677T、A1298C不同基因型的血浆Hcy、血脂水平差异。采用多因素Logistic回归分析老年ISH发生的影响因素。结果：相比于对照组,ISH组MTHFR C677T位点T等位基因频率较高,C等位基因频率较低;ISH组CC基因型频率较低,CT、TT基因型频率较高（P<0.05）。相比于对照组,ISH组A1298C位点C等位基因频率较高,A等位基因频率较低;ISH组A1298C位点AA基因型频率较低,CC、AC基因型频率较高（P<0.05）。MTHFR基因C677T位点不同基因型血浆Hcy、总胆固醇（TC）水平差异具有显著性（P<0.05）。MTHFR基因A1298C位点不同基因型血浆Hcy、TC水平明显差异具有显著性（P<0.05）。血浆Hcy、MTHFR C677T及A1298C基因多态性是老年ISH发生的影响因素（均P<0.05）。结论：MTHFR C677T、A1298C基因多态性与老年ISH患者血浆TC、Hcy水平有关,血浆Hcy、MTHFR C677T及A1298C基因多态性是老年ISH发生的影响因素。     

MTHFR基因多态性与中国北方人群脑膜瘤发病的相关性分析

目的:探讨亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶(MTHFR)基因多态性与中国北方人群脑膜瘤发病的相关性。方法:选择2012年1月-2013年12月在黑龙江省哈尔滨医科大学附属第二医院的第一、三病房接受手术治疗的脑膜瘤患者317例(实验组)及320例非脑膜瘤患者(对照组)为研究对象,利用聚合酶链反应限制性多态性片段长度(PCR-RFLP)检测和比较两组MTHFR两个单核苷酸多态性位点(C677T、A1298C)各种基因型(CC、CT、TT)的分布情况及等位基因的频率。结果:两组MTHFR的C677T中CC基因型的频率和TT基因型的频率比较有显著性差异(CC:OR=2.012,95%CI=1.460-2.772;TT:OR=0.399,95%CI=0.254-0.628,P0.05),实验组MTHFR的(0.450)C677T中的T等位基因频率明显高于对照组(0.320)(OR=0.529,95%CI=0.420-0.666,P0.05)。两组A1298C的等位基因分布比较没有统计学差别(P0.05)。结论:MTHFR基因的C677T中TT等位基因提示潜在的易患脑膜瘤的风险,而CC等位基因会降低中国北方人群患脑膜瘤的风险。     

MTHFR及PAI基因多态性与新生儿早产易感性的关系

目的:探讨MTHFR基因、PAI-1基因多态性与新生儿早产的关系。方法:选自2014年1月-2015年1月期间我院住院患儿285例并分为四组。抽取研究对象静脉血进行目的基因MTHFR基因C677T、PAI基因的提取、扩增及检测。结果:MTHFR基因C677T扩增片段198 bp,经限制性内切酶作用后形成野生CC型(片段198 bp)、纯合子突变TT型(175 bp、23 bp)以及杂合子突变CT型(23 bp、175 bp以及198 bp);PAI基因扩增片段142 bp,经限制性内切酶作用后形成三中基因型,分别为4G/4G型(96 b p、46 bp)、5G/5G型(22 bp、46 bp以及74 bp)以及4G/5G型(22 bp、46 bp、74 bp以及96 bp)。早产儿童与足月儿童MTHFR基因67 7位点T等位基因分布差异显著(P0.05),早产儿童与足月儿童PAI基因启动子675位点4G等位基因分布无显著性差异(P0.05)。结论:早产发生的易感性与多方面因素有关,其中遗传因素方面MTHFR基因677位点T等位基因多态性可能与新生儿早产相关,而PAI基因启动子675位点基因的多态性与新生儿早产的发生无显著相关。     

亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶基因C677T、G1793A单核苷酸多态性与散发性乳腺癌易感性的关系

目的：研究亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶（MTHFR）基因C677T、G1793A位点单核苷酸多态性与散发性乳腺癌易感性关系。方法：采用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性（PCR-RFLP）方法,对200例乳腺癌患者及200例正常对照者MTHFR基因C677T、G1793A位点单核苷酸多态性进行分析,logistic回归分析不同基因型与乳腺癌风险的关系。结果：乳腺癌组MTHFR 677TT基因型频率为25.00%显著高于正常对照组的10.50%（X2=14.401,P=0.001）,CT基因型频率为44.50%低于正常对照组的54.50%,CC基因型频率在乳腺癌组和正常对照组中无差别;MTHFR 1793GA基因型频率为18.50%显著高于正常对照者的8.50%（X2=8.563,P=0.003）。乳腺癌患者MTHFR 677T和1793A等位基因频率分别为47.25%、9.25%,显著高于对照组中的37.75%、4.25%。MTHFR 677TT基因型携带者罹患乳腺癌的风险是677CC基因型携带者的2.732倍（95%CI=1.418～5.051,P=0.001）,MTHFR1793GA基因型携带者罹患乳腺癌的风险是1793GG基因型携带者的2.444倍（95%CI=1.325～4.505,P=0.003）。另外,乳腺癌组中MTHFR C677T基因多态性与肿瘤大小相关（x2=7.431,P=0.024,MTHFR G1793A基因多态性与淋巴结转移情况（x2=8.939,P=0.011）、癌组织学分级（x2=9.983,P=0.007）相关。结论：MTHFR C677T、G1793A基因多态性与散发性乳腺癌的易感性相关。     

中国人MTHFR基因多态性与神经管畸形遗传易感性

目的：应用分子生物学方法进行遗传流行病学研究, 探讨MTHFR基因多态性在神经管畸形的遗传易感性中的作用。方法：应用PCR?RFLP方法检测MTHFR热敏感性基因型;对18个NTD核心家庭进行以父母为对照的病例对照研究,计算TDT和HHRR;另外对31例NTD胎儿和62例正常成年人进行的成组病例对照研究,计算MTHFR纯合突变对NTD的比值比。结果：核心家庭分析结果：比值比OR=3.2,95％CI=1.120～11.169;TDT（χ2）=5.762,P<0.05,HHRR（成组χ2）=6.727,P<0.05;胎儿MTHFR纯合突变对NTD的相对危险度OR=3?21,P<0?05。结论：研究结果说明,突变等位基因在神经管畸形核心家庭中存在突变基因(T)的遗传失衡现象,胎儿MTHFR基因第677位核苷酸的多态性是中国人NTD遗传易感性因素之一。 Abstract：The objective of the study is to clarify the effect of MTHFR thermolabile polymorphism on genetic susceptibility of NTD in Chinese population.MTHFR genotypes were detected using PCR-RFLP analysis; 18 NTD nuclear families were analysed as case-parental control study,from which Transmitted Disequillibrium Test(TDT) and Haplotype-based Haplotype Relative Risk (HHRR) were calculated; 31 NTD fetuses and 62 adult controls were analysed for calculation of OR of homozygotic MTHFR.The results are as follow:Nuclear family analysis: OR=3.2( 95％CI=1.120～11.169);TDT（paired χ2）=5.762,P<0.05,HHRR（χ2）=6.727,P<0.05;homozygotic MTHFR of fetus vs adult control: OR=3.21,P<0.05. The 677th allele of MTHFR is abnormally transmitted in NTD nuclear families.Homozygotic MTHFR of the fetus may be a genetic factor of NTD in China.     

利用LightCycler研究食管鳞状细胞癌与MTHFR C677T多态性的关系

亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶(MTHFR)在叶酸代谢中起重要作用.MTHFR基因第677位核苷酸的多态性（C→T）能影响其酶活性并与肿瘤易感性有关.为比较中国北方人群MTHFR C677T多态性与食管鳞状细胞癌（ESCC）易感性之间的关系, 通过高速实时聚合酶链反应（real-time PCR）和解链曲线（melting curve）方法分析了189名ESCC患者和141名健康对照的MTHFR C677T多态性位点的基因型.结果显示,健康对照组的MTHFR C/C（纯合野生）、C/T和T/T（纯合突变）基因型的频率分别为17.7%、38.3%和44.0%.ESCC患者的T/T基因型频率（42.3%）与健康对照组无显著差异（χ²=0.089, P＞0.05）,其C/T基因型频率（49.2%）仅略高于对照组（χ²＝3.890, P＜0.05）,而患者组的C/C基因型频率(8.5%)显著低于健康对照组(17.7%) (χ²=6.37, P=0.012).与C/T和T/T基因型相比,C/C基因型可显著降低ESCC的发病风险(相对风险度的比值比（OR）=0.43, 95%可信区间（CI）=0.22～0.84),在吸烟者和有上消化道肿瘤家族史的患者中这一倾向更加明显.研究提示,在中国北方人群中, MTHFR C677T纯合野生基因型对ESCC的发病起保护作用.     

贵州荔波封闭人群MTHFR基因多态性研究分析

目的 对贵州汉族、布依族亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶（Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase,MTHFR）基因多态性进行研究,为贵州少数民族基因多态性数据库的建立提供相关数据。方法 应用聚合酶链式反应及限制性片段长度多态性检测贵州荔波汉族90例、布依族119例MTHFR基因两个单核苷酸（677及1298位）多态位点的基因频率及基因型频率。结果 汉族、布依族MTHFR 677位T等位基因的分布频率分别是22、8％,16．1％,x^2=1．561,P〉0．1;MTHFR 1298位C等位基因的分布频率分别是28．9％,39、1％,x^2=2．075,P〉0．1;677CT／1298AC双杂合子的分布频率分别是16．66％,22．7％。结论 MTHFRC 677T和A1298C多态性在中国南方和北方人群存在群体差异;贵州汉族与布依族此两位点无显著性差异。贵州荔波布依族MTHFR 1298位有较高的C等位基因频率。     

Mutations in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and in cysthationine beta synthase: is there a link to homocysteine levels in peripheral arterial disease?

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is an atherosclerotic disturbance characterized by a progressive obstruction of lower limb arteries. Many risk factors associated with PAD development have being reported in the literature. The present study aimed to investigate whether mutations in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) or in the cystathionine beta synthase (CBS) genes are associated with higher levels of homocysteine and the risk of PAD in patients from Brazil. This study analyzed 39 patients with PAD and 32 without PAD in whom risk factors and C677T mutations in the MTHFR gene and both 844ins68 and T833C mutations in the CBS gene were investigated. Although higher levels of homocysteine could be observed in patients with PAD compared to controls, no association between the increase of homocysteine and the frequency of C677T, 844ins68, and T833C mutations could be observed. The results suggest that these mutations do not appear to be related to either homocysteine levels or the development of the disease. However, hyperhomocysteinemia and smoking are important factors in PAD development.     

Molecular genetic analysis in mild hyperhomocysteinemia: a common mutation in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene is a genetic risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Mild hyperhomocysteinemia is an established risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Genetic aberrations in the cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) genes may account for reduced enzyme activities and elevated plasma homocysteine levels. In 15 unrelated Dutch patients with homozygous CBS deficiency, we observed the 833T-->C (I278T) mutation in 50% of the alleles. Very recently, we identified a common mutation (677C-->T; A-->V) in the MTHFR gene, which, in homozygous state, is responsible for the thermolabile phenotype and which is associated with decreased specific MTHRF activity and elevated homocysteine levels. We screened 60 cardiovascular patients and 111 controls for these two mutations, to determine whether these mutations are risk factors for premature cardiovascular disease. Heterozygosity for the 833T-->C mutation in the CBS gene was observed in one individual of the control group but was absent in patients with premature cardiovascular disease. Homozygosity for the 677C-->T mutation in the MTHFR gene was found in (15%) of 60 cardiovascular patients and in only 6 (approximately 5%) of 111 control individuals (odds ratio 3.1 [95% confidence interval 1.0-9.2]). Because of both the high prevalence of the 833T-->C mutation among homozygotes for CBS deficiency and its absence in 60 cardiovascular patients, we may conclude that heterozygosity for CBS deficiency does not appear to be involved in premature cardiovascular disease. However, a frequent homozygous mutation in the MTHFR gene is associated with a threefold increase in risk for premature cardiovascular disease.     

Gene–environment and gene–gene interactions of specific MTHFR,MTR and CBS gene variants in relation to homocysteine in black South Africans

The methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), cystathione-β-synthase (CBS) and methionine synthase (MTR) genes interact with each other and the environment. These interactions could influence homocysteine (Hcy) and diseases contingent thereon. We determined single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within these genes, their relationships and interactions with total Hcy concentrations within black South Africans to address the increased prevalence of diseases associated with Hcy. The MTHFR 677 TT and MTR 2756 AA genotypes were associated with higher Hcy concentrations (16.6 and 10.1 μmol/L; p < 0.05) compared to subjects harboring the MTHFR 677 CT/CC and the MTR 2756 AG genotypes (10.5, 9.7 and 9.5 μmol/L, respectively). The investigated CBS genotypes did not influence Hcy. We demonstrated interactions between the area of residence and the CBS T833C/844ins68 genotypes (p = 0.005) so that when harboring the wildtype allele, rural subjects had significantly higher Hcy than their urban counterparts, but when hosting the variant allele the environment made no difference to Hcy. Between the CBS T833C/844ins68 or G9276A and MTHFR C677T genotypes, there were two-way interactions (p = 0.003 and = 0.004, respectively), with regard to Hcy. Subjects harboring the MTHFR 677 TT genotype in combination with the CBS 833 TT/homozygous 844 non-insert or the MTHFR 677 TT genotype in combination with the CBS 9276 GA/GG displayed higher Hcy concentrations.     

The TT genotype of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 677C>T polymorphism increases the susceptibility to pediatric ischemic stroke: meta-analysis of the 822 cases and 1,552 controls

The 677C>T polymorphism within methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene is related to an elevated level of homocysteine. Thus it may be considered as a genetic risk factor in ischemic stroke. Apparently studies of this type of polymorphism in childhood stroke have shown conflicting results. We performed meta-analysis of all the data that are available in relation with MTHFR polymorphism and the risk of ischemic stroke in children. We searched PubMed (last search dated December 2010) using "MTHFR polymorphism", "ischemic stroke" "child", "children", "pediatric stroke" as keywords and reference lists of studies and reviews on the topic. Finally, 15 case-control studies corresponded to the inclusion criteria for meta-analysis. These studies involved the total number of 822 children and adolescents after ischemic stroke and 1,552 control subjects. Fixed or random effects models were used depending on the heterogeneity between the studies. The association between ischemic stroke and 677C>T polymorphism within MTHFR gene was observed in three of the studies. The pooled analysis showed that TT genotype of MTHFR gene is more common in stroke patients than in controls (p = 0.0402, odds ratio = 1.57, 95 % confidence interval 1.02-2.41). The Egger's test did not reveal presence of a publication bias. The results based on a sizeable group of cases and controls have proved that the 677C>T polymorphism in MTHFR gene is associated with the development of ischemic stroke in children.     

出血性卒中与MTHFR C677T基因多态性的相关性研究

摘要 目的：探讨与分析出血性卒中与亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶（MTHFR）C677T基因多态性的相关性。方法：2020年2月到2021年4月选择在本地区诊治的H型高血压患者220例作为研究对象,检测所有患者的MTHFR C677T基因多态性状况,检测血清同型半胱氨酸、叶酸、维生素B12含量。随访判定患者的出血性卒中状况并进行相关性分析。结果：随访调查1年,220例患者中出现出血性卒中20例（出血性卒中组）,占比9.1 %。出血性卒中组的血清同型半胱氨酸含量明显高于非出血性卒中组,血清维生素B12、叶酸明显低于非出血性卒中组（P<0.05）。两组的MTHFR C677T基因型分布均符合Hardy-Weinberg遗传平衡,出血性卒中组的TT基因型、等位基因T占比分别为70.0 %、80.0 %,都显著高于非出血性卒中组的24.0 %、35.0 %（P<0.05）。Spearman相关系数分析显示H型高血压患者的血清同型半胱氨酸、叶酸、维生素B12含量、TT基因型、等位基因T都与出血性卒中存在相关性（P<0.05）。多元回归分析显示血清同型半胱氨酸、叶酸、维生素B12含量、TT基因型、等位基因T都为导致H型高血压患者出血性卒中发生的重要因素（P<0.05）。结论：H型高血压在随访过程中容易发生出血性卒中,也伴随有血清同型半胱氨酸、维生素B12、叶酸含量异常,MTHFR C677T的T基因型、等位基因T与出血性卒中存在相关性,也是导致出血性卒中发生的重要危险因素。     

C677T polymorphism of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene and the risk of ischemic stroke in Polish subjects

Hyperhomocysteinemia is reported to be an independent risk factor for the development of ischemic stroke. Several studies on genetic variants of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR, which plays a crucial role in regulation of plasma homocysteine concentration) reported an association between C677T gene polymorphism and stroke in some Asian populations. No study but one detected this association in Caucasians. The purpose of the present case-control study was to find a relationship betweenMTHFR genotypes and stroke in a Polish population.MTHFR genotypes were determined by PCR in 152 patients with ischemic stroke from northwestern Poland and in 135 consecutive newborns from the same population. The TT genotype and the T allele were significantly more frequent in patients than in the control group (11.8% vs. 4.4%, and 34.5% vs. 21.5%,P < 0.01). When males and females were analyzed separately, the differences were statistically significant in both genders. It is concluded that presence of the T allele is a risk factor for ischemic stroke in Polish subjects.     

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene polymorphisms in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of abnormal hepatic steatosis in the absence of a history of alcohol use. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the progressive form of NAFLD. Hyperhomocysteinemia causes steatosis, and the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T and A1298C polymorphisms result in hyperhomocysteinemia. To examine whether the C677T and A1298C polymorphisms of the MTHFR gene were associated with NASH, we analysed the allele and genotype distribution of the MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms in 57 well-diagnosed NASH patients, 324 healthy controls in a case-control study of Turkish subjects of Caucasian origin. The diagnosis of the NASH patients was based on liver biopsy. The method used in the analysis of genotypes was PCR-RFLP. The MTHFR A1298C polymorphism was significantly associated with NASH (chi(2) = 8.439; p = 0.015) in the total NASH patients compared with healthy controls. The MTHFR 1298C allele (odds ratio (OR) = 2.480; 95%CI = 1.286-4.782; chi(2) = 7.703; df = 1; p = 0.006) was significantly associated with NASH in the total NASH patients. The MTHFR C677C/A1298C compound genotype (OR = 2.218; 95%CI = 1.003-4.906; chi(2) = 3.998; df = 1; p = 0.046) in men patients was also significantly associated with NASH. Likewise the MTHFR C1298C genotype was significantly associated with NASH in women patients with NASH (OR = 2.979; 95%CI = 1.027-8.641; chi(2) = 4.343; df = 1; p = 0.037). In conclusion, the MTHFR 1298C allele in all NASH patients, C1298C genotype, C677C/C1298C compound genotype in women NASH patients and C677C/A1298C compound genotype in men NASH patients were genetic risk factors for NASH.     

MTHFR 677 CT/MTHFR 1298 CC genotypes are associated with increased risk of hypertension in Indians

The goals of our present study were to measure plasma homocysteine levels and determine their association with methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene polymorphisms (C677T and A1298C) in essential hypertensive subjects. Plasma total homocysteine and folic acid levels were measured in essential hypertensive patients (n = 153) before and after oral supplementation with either 5 mg folic acid tablet/day or 5 mg placebo/day for 4 weeks and compared with age and sex matched normotensive controls (n = 133). MTHFR gene polymorphisms (C677T and A1298C) were studied by restriction fragment length polymorphism and correlated with plasma homocysteine levels. Homocysteine levels were significantly higher in hypertensive patients as compared to controls and showed a negative correlation with plasma folate levels. Folic acid supplementation (5 mg/day) for 4 weeks resulted in a significant decrease in plasma homocysteine concentrations in these patients. Patients carrying MTHFR 677T allele (OR = 1.90; 95%CI: 1.14–3.19) or MTHFR 1298C (OR = 2.6, 95%CI: 1.55–4.40) allele were at increased risk of hypertension. The frequency of co-occurrence of MTHFR 677 CT/1298 CC genotypes was significantly higher in the patients compared to controls (P < 0.05) and was associated with increased risk of hypertension (OR = 3.54, 95%CI: 0.37–4.30). Subjects with MTHFR 1298 CC genotype had significantly higher homocysteine levels compared to those with MTHFR 1298 AA genotype (P < 0.05). Our results indicate that MTHFR 677T and 1298C alleles and co-occurrence of MTHFR 677 CT/MTHFR 1298 CC genotypes are associated with increased risk of hypertension and MTHFR 1298 CC genotype is associated with higher homocysteine levels in our subjects.     

Frequency of mutations in “thrombophilic state” genes in Uzbekistan

The frequency of mutations in a number of genetic markers, specifically factor V gene (G1691A), blood coagulation factor II gene (G20210A), and the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene (C677T), is studied in ethnic Uzbek patients with deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities and in healthy donors. It is established that the incidence of mutant alleles among patients in Uzbekistan for FV Leiden is 12.9%; for prothrombin, 4%; and for MTHFR, 47.8%. The mutant allele C677T of the MTHFR gene has the highest expressivity in the appearance of MTHFR (47.8%). It is noted that this mutation in the MTHFR gene is encountered significantly more frequently in females with deep vein thrombosis than in males with deep vein thrombosis. The G20210A mutation in the prothrombin gene is encountered more rarely in the Uzbek population. The penetrance is studied and the role of these mutations in the appearance of deep vein thrombosis is estimated.