Croatian population data for the C677T polymorphism in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase: frequencies in healthy and atherosclerotic study groups

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of C677T methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) mutation in healthy Croatian volunteers and in patients with atherosclerosis. METHODS: The C677T MTHFR gene mutation was determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in 640 subjects, residents of the Zagreb city or Zagreb surroundings. Control group (n=298) was healthy blood donors. Patients (n=342) were divided into two groups of those with coronary heart disease, CAD (n=247) and those with >60% carotid stenosis, CS (n=95). RESULTS: CC genotype was recorded in 45% of healthy volunteers and 46% of patients (46.3% with CS and 46.2% with CAD). TC genotype was found in 49% of healthy volunteers and 45% of patients (46.3% with CS and 44.9% with CAD). There was no significant difference (p>0.05) from the control group in the genotype or allele frequency either for the overall group of patients with atherosclerosis or for the patient subgroups. CONCLUSION: The preliminary study of MTHFR polymorphism in control subjects and cardiovascular disease/carotid stenosis patients revealed that in Croats there was a low frequency of TT genotype (6% in controls vs. 9% in patients) and T allele (31% for cases and controls). Additionally, our results did not show significantly higher frequency of MTHFR mutation in CAD and CS studied groups.