Association of RFC1 A80G and MTHFR C677T polymorphisms with Alzheimer's disease

We examined polymorphisms in reduced folate carrier gene (RFC1) and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene (MTHFR) for association with sporadic AD (SAD) in Chinese population. Significant associations of RFC1 A80G G allele and GG genotype with SAD (p=0.008, OR=1.312, 95%CI=1.072-1.605, and p=0.042, OR=1.383, 95%CI=1.012-1.890) were found. Further stratification of total samples by APOE epsilon4 carrier status, age/age at onset and gender revealed that RFC1 A80G G allele was an APOE epsilon4-independent risk factor for late-onset AD, and it might increase the risk of AD in females. No significant associations of MTHFR C677T allele and genotype with AD were observed in total samples, but significant associations of T allele and TT genotype with AD (p=0.031, OR=1.586, 95%CI=1.042-2.414, and p=0.028, OR=2.250, 95%CI=1.074-4.712) were identified in APOE epsilon4 carrier subgroup, suggesting that MTHFR 677 T allele and APOE epsilon4 allele may synergistically act to increase AD risk. No significant effect of RFC1 G80A and MTHFR C677T polymorphisms on plasma folate and homocysteine levels was detected.     

Investigating the Impact of the Down Syndrome Related Common MTHFR 677C>T Polymorphism in the Danish Population

Chromosomal aneuploidy consists the leading cause of fetal death in our species. Around 50% of spontaneous abortions until 15 weeks of gestational age are chromosomally aneuploid, with trisomies accounting for 50% of the abnormal abortions. Trisomy 21 is the most common chromosome abnormality in liveborns and is usually the result of nondisjunction of chromosome 21 in meiosis in either oogenesis or spermatogenesis. To investigate the relationship between folate metabolism and Down syndrome (DS) in a Danish population, we analyzed the common 677C>T genetic polymorphism in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene. Our cohort consisted of 181 mothers of children with DS versus 1,084 healthy controls. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) were used to examine the MTHFR 677C>T polymorphism. No significant association between the polymorphism and the risk for DS was found. We conclude that the common MTHFR 677C>T polymorphism is not likely to be a maternal risk factor for DS in our cohort and that the difference to previous studies can probably be explained by small sample size or geographic variation in gene polymorphisms involving gene-nutritional or gene-gene or gene-nutritional-environmental factors.     

A meta-analysis of the MTHFR C677T polymorphism and schizophrenia risk.

Epigenetic mechanisms such as methylation of DNA, could lead to abnormal neurodevelopment and may be important in the etiology of schizophrenia. Maternal dietary folate intake may play a role in determining methylation levels. The MTHFR gene C677T polymorphism influences folate metabolism and intracellular availability of folate metabolites for methylation. We carried out a meta-analysis of MTHFR C677T genotype and schizophrenia risk, and found that TT homozygotes had a significantly increased risk, OR 1.48 (1.18-1.86). This supports the hypothesis that folate status is a determinant of schizophrenia risk. Larger studies of this issue are required, together with studies of maternal genotype which could identify whether maternal folate status during pregnancy is important.     

脑梗死患者同型半胱氨酸水平与亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶基因C677T多态相关性研究

目的 研究甘油三酯(TG)、总胆固醇(TC)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL)、脂蛋白a[LP(a)]、同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)水平及5,10-亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶(MTHFR) C677T位点基因多态性与脑梗死的相关性.方法 选择2013年1月至2013年11月入住延安大学附属医院的脑梗死患者255例为脑梗死组,以同期在我院体检正常者128例为对照组,分别检测两组血脂四项、Hcy水平及MTHFR C677T基因多态性.结果 脑梗死组患者血清Hcy、TG、TC、LDL、LP(a)水平分别为19.76 ±5.24μmoL/L、1.92±0.39mmol/L、5.05±0.66mmol/L、3.14±0.53mmol/L、305.48±82.83mg/L,均明显高于对照组(P ＜0.001);TT、TC、CC基因型分布频率分别为33.0％、43.1％、23.9％,等位基因T、C频率分别为54.5％、45.5％,与对照组相比,差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05);脑梗死组各基因型Hcy水平均高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.001),其中TT型Hcy浓度最高,CT型次之,CC型最低,差异有统计学意义(P ＜0.001).结论 脑梗死患者Hcy及血脂四项水平均显著增高,MTHFR C677T多态性TT基因型致Hcy水平增高,可能是引发脑梗死的重要遗传因素,血脂四项结合Hcy及MTHFR C677T基因多态性检查可更好的用于脑梗死易感人群筛查.     

冠心病危险因素聚集与冠状动脉狭窄的关系研究

目的探讨冠心病危险因素聚集对冠状动脉狭窄的影响。方法以选择性冠状动脉造影为金标准,对2993例临床诊断冠心病患者的冠心病危险因素(高龄、男性、糖尿病、高脂血症、高血压以及吸烟)进行调查。结果随着伴发危险因素数目的增加,冠脉造影阳性率随着伴发危险因素数目的增加而明显上升,冠脉多支病变比例显著增加,重度和闭塞病变所占比例呈上升趋势。结论冠状动脉病变水平与伴随冠心病危险因素数量有关,危险因素越多,冠心病发生机率越高,累及支数越广,狭窄程度越重。     

MTHFR C677T polymorphisms among the Ahirs and Jats of Haryana (India).

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a vital enzyme catalyzing the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) linked reduction of 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate to 5-methylenetetrahydrofolate, which serves as cofactor in methylation of homocysteine to methionine. Three clinically important mutations of the MTHFR gene namely C677T, A1298C, and T1317C are reported to be associated with various pathological conditions. The present study deals with the screening of C677T mutation among two endogamous groups viz. Ahirs and Jats of Haryana (India). The mutation is reported to be significantly associated with thrombosis, hypertension, stroke and myocardial infraction, neural tube defects (NTDs), and recurrent pregnancy loss. The T allele among Jats is found to be more frequent (0.06) than Ahirs (0.03). Moreover, the Jats population shows a significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium with respect to C677T mutation. This could probably be due to some selection pressure operating in the population.     

No association of MTHFR c.677C>T variant with sporadic ALS in an Italian population

The c.677C>T polymorphism in the 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene (MTHFR) has been recently associated with susceptibility to sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We have investigated this association in 450 ALS patients and 700 control subjects from Italy. No significant association was observed at the genotype and allelic level, either for the c.677C>T variant alone or in combination with PON1 polymorphisms. Our negative results suggest that the MTHFR c.677C>T polymorphism is not a risk factor for ALS in the Italian population.     

The number of dichorionic twin pregnancies is reduced by the common MTHFR 677C-->T mutation

In multiple pregnancies, demands for folic acid are considerably increased. The most common inborn error of folate metabolism is mild methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) deficiency due to the synthesis of a thermolabile variant of the enzyme with impaired catalytic activity which leads to reduced 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-methyl-THF) and mildly elevated homocysteine plasma concentrations when folate status is inadequate. To investigate whether the number of offspring is influenced by this mutation, we determined the frequency of the 677C-->T substitution in 156 singleton and 40 twin mothers with dichorionic placentation. The T allele frequency in singleton (0.30) and twin mothers (0.16) was significantly different (P = 0.011). Mothers with the 677C-->T mutation had a 2.28 times lower risk of having a twin pregnancy than those without (95% confidence interval = 1.18-4.66; P = 0.008). Our observation would explain, at least in part, the hereditary trait of multiple gestations and is in agreement with the ethnic distribution pattern of the T allele which has been found to be inversely correlated with the incidence of dichorionic twins. Our findings suggest that the MTHFR 677C-->T mutation interferes with human brood size, probably by influencing the proliferation of rapidly dividing embryonic and maternal cells.     

重型抑郁症患者亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶基因多态性检测

目的 探讨北方汉族人群5,10-亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶基因多态性与重型抑郁症的关系。方法 采用病例-对照研究。聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性技术检测MTHFR C677T及 A1298C基因多态性。结果 （1）对照组677TT基因型频率及T等位基因频率分别为为13.16％和39.80%;1298CC基因型和C等位基因频率分别为1.32%和12.83％;（2）抑郁症组MTHFR 677TT基因型频率（35.53％）明显高于正常对照组（13.16％）（P＜0.001）,677 T等位基因频率（57.24%）明显高于对照组（39.80%）（P＜0.001）。（3）Ligistic回归分析, C677T基因型与疾病的发生有关（P<0.001）。结论MTHFR C677T基因变异与本组重症抑郁症发病有关,是其发病的危险因素;MTHFR A1298C基因变异与本组重症抑郁症发病无关联。     

MTHFR C677T polymorphism and differential methylation status in gastric cancer: an association with Helicobacter pylori infection

MTHFR C677T and Helicobacter pylori infection are believed to play critical roles in the DNA methylation process, an epigenetic feature frequently found in gastric cancer. The aim of this study was to verify the associations between the MTHFR C677T polymorphism and the methylation status of three gastric cancer-related genes. The influence of H. pylori strains was also assessed. DNA extracted from 71 gastric tumor samples was available for MTHFR C677T genotyping by PCR-RFLP, promoter methylation identification by MS-PCR and H. pylori detection and posterior subtyping (cagA and vacA genes) by PCR. In the distal tumors, a positive correlation was found between the methylation of CDKN2A and the allele T carriers (r = 0.357; p = 0.009). Considering the eldest patients (age ≥ 60 years old), this correlation was even higher (r = 0,417; p = 0.014). H. pylori infection by highly pathogenic strains (cagA+/vacAs1m1) was also found correlated to promoter methylation of CDKN2A and the allele T carriers in distal tumors (r = 0.484; p = 0.026). No significant correlation was verified between MTHFR C677T genotype and promoter methylation status when we analyzed the general sample. DNA methylation in CDKN2A associated to the MTHFR 677T carrier is suggested to be a distal tumor characteristic, especially in those 60 years old or older, and it seems to depend on the infection by H. pylori cagA/vacAs1m1 strains.     

MTHFR基因C677T多态性与神经管缺损的相关性研究

目的探讨5,10-甲基四氢叶酸还原酶（5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase,MTHFR）基因C677T突变与神经管缺损（neuraltube defectes,NTD）发病的相关性。方法应用PCR—RFLP法,对67名正常儿童和48例NTD患儿（NTD组）（其中无脑儿16例,脊柱裂32例）进行MTHFR基因C677T突变分析。结果NTD组胎儿MTHFR基因TT基因型频率（68．7％）和T等位基因频率（0．820）均显著高正常对照组儿童（31．3％和0．54）（x^2=15．71,P〈0．01和x^2=17．18,P〈0．01）。与MTHFR基因CC基因型相比,携带TT基因型的胎儿发生NTD的相对风险增加6．28倍（95％CI：2．01～19．62）。结论MTHFR基因C677T多态性与潍坊地区人胎儿NTD发病有关联。     

Association of MTHFR C677T polymorphism with elevated homocysteine level and disease development in vitiligo

Increasing evidence on the association of MTHFR gene polymorphism and serum homocysteine levels with autoimmune diseases such as vitiligo has made the MTHFR gene a very interesting candidate to be evaluated in different ethnicities and populations. We aimed to evaluate the levels of serum homocysteine and vitamin B12 and their associations with MTHFR C677T polymorphism in the Iranian population. This case–control study included 104 patients with vitiligo and 100 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy control subjects. Serum vitamin B12 and homocysteine levels were measured by a chemiluminescence assay. Polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) analysis was used for genotyping the polymorphism. The mean serum homocysteine levels were significantly higher in cases than controls and associated with disease activity (p < .001). Furthermore, the homozygous MTHFR C677T variant genotype was associated with vitiligo development (adjusted OR: 3.52, 95% CI: 1.09–11.32, p = .02) and elevated homocysteine level (p < .001). There was no association between serum vitamin B12 levels and the MTHFR C677T genotype. The homozygous variant MTHFR C677T may be considered as a risk factor for both elevated homocysteine levels and the development of vitiligo in the Iranian population. Although these results are not conclusive, they could elucidate the contribution of genetic and immune‐mediated inflammatory factors to the pathogenesis of vitiligo.     

Association of the MTHFR C677T polymorphism and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women: a meta-analysis

Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by low bone mineral density (BMD) and micro-architectural changes in the bone tissue. The risk of osteoporosis is partly determined by genetic factors. The role of C677T polymorphism of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene has been investigated in postmenopausal osteoporosis. However, the relationship between MTHFR polymorphism and BMD is still controversial. We carried out a meta-analysis of 5,833 subjects to evaluate the association of MTHFR and BMD in postmenopausal women. Databases of MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus and CNKI were retrieved for all publications relating to MTHFR polymorphism and BMD in postmenopausal women. Five eligible studies were selected for meta-analysis. All these articles studied the association of MTHFR polymorphism and BMD of the femoral neck and lumbar spine in postmenopausal women. Our analysis suggested that postmenopausal women with the TT genotype had lower femoral neck BMD than the women with the CC/CT genotype, and the weighted mean difference (WMD) was -0.01 g/cm² [95% confidence interval (CI): (-0.01, -0.01), P < 0.01]. However, BMD of the lumbar spine of postmenopausal women with the TT genotype was not significantly different from that of women with the CC/CT genotype. In the random effects model, the WMD between the TT and TC/CC genotype was -0.01 g/cm² [95% CI: (-0.04, 0.01), P = 0.32]. The C677T polymorphism of the MTHFR gene is associated with BMD of the femoral neck in postmenopausal women. Women with the TT genotype of the MTHFR gene have lower BMD, suggesting that the TT genotype may be a risk factor for postmenopausal osteoporosis.     

Variable contribution of the MTHFR C677T polymorphism to non-syndromic cleft lip and palate risk in China

Non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (nsCL/P) is one of the most common craniofacial malformations among newborn infants. It has been demonstrated that periconceptional folic acid supplementation may reduce the occurrence of offspring with clefts, particularly in the North China; however, the mechanism remains unknown. Our study of a thermolabile polymorphism (C677T) of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene in 170 Chinese case-parent triads revealed a moderate association between this MTHFR polymorphism and nsCL/P in a population from North China, but not in a population from South China. Moreover, the study revealed that the heterozygous parents in the North were about twice as likely to transmit the high-risk T allele to affected cases, as that observed in the South (OR = 2.24, 95% CI: 1.08-4.65). Thus, the MTHFR polymorphism is a significant risk factor for nsCL/P in this Northern Chinese population. Our study suggested possible genetic heterogeneity in the development of nsCL/P among Northern and Southern populations in China.     

Meta analysis of the association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and the risk of congenital heart defects

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphism C667T has been associated with congenital malformation; this common missense mutation in the MTHFR gene may reduce enzymatic action, and may be involved in the etiology of congenital heart defects (CHD). The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of the MTHFR C677T polymorphism with the risk of CHD in children with CHD and their parents by meta-analysis. Studies were identified by searching electronic literature for papers before 2011, focusing on MTHFR C667T and the risk of CHD. All data were analyzed using the fixed effects model in Cochrane Review Manager 5.1.1. Twenty eligible case-control and family-based studies were included. Overall analysis yielded pooled odds ratios (OR) of 1.55 (95%CI 1.25-1.93), 1.84 (95%CI 1.23-2.74) and 1.20 (95%CI 0.94-1.54) for fetal, paternal and maternal MTHFR TT genotypes in case-control studies, respectively, but yielded a summarized OR of 0.9 (95%CI 0.97-1.12) in family-based studies. Our results suggested that the fetal and paternal MTHFR C667T gene may be associated with an increased occurrence of CHD. Further larger studies should be performed to investigate the interaction between maternal genetic polymorphism, folic acid intake and hyperhomocysteinemia, and the development of CHD.     

Meta-analysis of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T polymorphism and susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease

No clear consensus has been reached at the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism and Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk. Thus in this meta-analysis, a total of 19 case–control studies was assessed to evaluate the possible association. The data demonstrated that the frequency of T677 allele (T vs. C) was significantly associated with susceptibility to AD in all subjects (OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.06–1.26) and in East Asians (OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.08–1.39). There was statistical difference between AD patients and the controls under recessive genetic mode (CT + TT vs. CC) and homozygote comparison (TT vs. CC) in all subjects and in East Asians as well. Despite a small effect of the polymorphism on late-onset AD (LOAD) risk, MTHFR C677T polymorphism was not a major risk factor for LOAD in East Asians and Caucasians. A subgroup analysis in the subjects without APOE ?4 alleles showed T677 allele significantly increased risk of AD in all subjects (OR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.04–1.42) and in East Asians (OR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.06–1.55). However, no association was found in Caucasians. In conclusion, this meta-analysis supports that MTHFR C677T polymorphism is capable of causing AD susceptibility in East Asians, not in Caucasians.     

唐氏综合征患儿母亲MTHFR C677T基因多态性及血浆叶酸、同型半胱氨酸水平的研究

目的研究浙南地区汉族妇女叶酸及代谢产物同型半胱氨酸水平、亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶(MTHFR)基因C677T位点多态性与唐氏综合征(Down’s Syndrome,DS)发生的关系。方法对84例已生育DS患儿的母亲(观察组)和120例生育过正常儿童的母亲(对照组)采用PCR扩增及DNA测序法检测亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶基因MTHFR C677T单核苷酸多态性;免疫发光法检测叶酸(Folate)及循环酶法检测血浆同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)水平。结果 MTHFR 677 T基因及CT、TT基因型的频率两组无统计学意义(P>0.05)。对观察组与对照组的部分标本行血浆Folate与Hcy水平测定,观察组Folate水平显著高于对照组(t=-5.572,P<0.05);Hcy水平两组平均水平无统计学意义(t=0.152,P>0.05);Fo-late与Hcy水平呈负相关关系(r=-0.217,P<0.05)。观察组与对照组MTHFR 677CT、TT基因型与CC基因型Hcy水平比较均无统计学意义(P>0.05),观察组TT基因型Hcy水平比对照组有显著性升高(t=2.546,P<0.05)。结论本研究MTHFR C677T位点不是浙南地区汉族妇女DS的风险因素;DS母亲Folate水平高于对照组及MTHFR 677 TT基因型Hcy水平高于对照组,可能存在影响叶酸代谢的其他相关基因的多态性或营养的缺乏,有待进一步深入研究。