scholarly journals Methylenetetrahydrofolate (MTHFR), the One-Carbon Cycle, and Cardiovascular Risks

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 4562
Author(s):  
Shanel Raghubeer ◽  
Tandi E. Matsha

The 5-10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) enzyme is vital for cellular homeostasis due to its key functions in the one-carbon cycle, which include methionine and folate metabolism and protein, DNA, and RNA synthesis. The enzyme is responsible for maintaining methionine and homocysteine (Hcy) balance to prevent cellular dysfunction. Polymorphisms in the MTHFR gene, especially C677T, have been associated with various diseases, including cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), cancer, inflammatory conditions, diabetes, and vascular disorders. The C677T MTHFR polymorphism is thought to be the most common cause of elevated Hcy levels, which is considered an independent risk factor for CVD. This polymorphism results in an amino acid change from alanine to valine, which prevents optimal functioning of the enzyme at temperatures above 37 °C. Many studies have been conducted to determine whether there is an association between the C677T polymorphism and increased risk for CVD. There is much evidence in favour of this association, while several studies have concluded that the polymorphism cannot be used to predict CVD development or progression. This review discusses current research regarding the C677T polymorphism and its relationship with CVD, inflammation, diabetes, and epigenetic regulation and compares the evidence provided for and against the association with CVD.

2005 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 343-345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viroj Wiwanitkit

Congenital thrombophilia in repeated pregnancy lost (RPL) has been noted for years. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene is an interesting gene, mentioned for its possible roles in RPL. There is considerable controversy regarding the clinical role of MTHFR C677T polymorphism as a risk factor of RPL. Here, a summative analysis is performed on the recent previous reports on the MTHFR C677T and its correlation to RPL. The metanalysis was performed to assess the correlation between the pattern of MTHFR C677T polymorphism and RPL. From available eight case-control studies, 752 patients and 625 controls are evaluated. The overall frequencies of 4G allele for the patients and controls are 31.5 and 33.5, respectively. According to this study, 53.1% of subjects with T allele have RLP while 55.3% of subjects without T allele have RLP. From overall risk estimation, the subjects with T alleles have 0.96 times lower risk to RLP. According to this analysis, the pattern of MTHFR C677T polymorphism might not represent a useful marker of increased risk for RPL. In addition, there was no association between pattern of MTHFR C677T polymorphism and ethnicity of the patients in this study.


2009 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 156-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. P. Wilson ◽  
H. McNulty ◽  
J. M. Scott ◽  
J. J. Strain ◽  
M. Ward

High blood pressure (BP) and elevated homocysteine are reported as independent risk factors for CVD and stroke in particular. The main genetic determinant of homocysteine concentrations is homozygosity (TT genotype) for the C677T polymorphism in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene, typically found in approximately 10% of Western populations. The B-vitamins folate, vitamin B12and vitamin B6are the main nutritional determinants of homocysteine, with riboflavin more recently identified as a potent modulator specifically in individuals with the TT genotype. Although observational studies have reported associations between homocysteine and BP, B-vitamin intervention studies have shown little or no BP response despite decreases in homocysteine. Such studies, however, have not considered the MTHFR C677T polymorphism, which has been shown to be associated with BP. It has been shown for the first time that riboflavin is an important determinant of BP specifically in individuals with the TT genotype. Research generally suggests that 24 h ambulatory BP monitoring provides a more accurate measure of BP than casual measurements and its use in future studies may also provide important insights into the relationship between the MTHFR polymorphism and BP. Further research is also required to investigate the association between specific B-vitamins and BP in individuals with different MTHFR genotypes in order to confirm whether any genetic predisposition to hypertension is correctable by B-vitamin intervention. The present review will investigate the evidence linking the MTHFR C677T polymorphism to BP and the potential modulating role of B-vitamins.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 175-184
Author(s):  
Akriti Gupta ◽  
Shubhangi Sharma ◽  
Saikrishna Lakkakula ◽  
Lakkakula VKS Bhaskar

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is involved in the homocysteine metabolism. Two common variants of MTHFR gene (677C>T and 1298A>C), have been reported to reduce the MTHFR enzyme activity and leading to plasma hyperhomocysteinemia. There are a number of recent case-control studies that investigated the association between the MTHFR polymorphism and diabetic nephropathy (DN), albeit with inconsistent results. The aim of this meta-analysis is to evaluate the associations between the genetic polymorphisms of MTHFR with susceptibility to DN. A literature search was conducted on PubMed, Embase and Google scholar from inception till March 18, 2019. For MTHFR 677C>T analysis, a total of 23 studies including DM controls (3095 cases and 3187 DM controls) and 12 studies including non-DM controls (1590 cases and 2052 nonDM controls) were taken. For MTHFR 1298A>C analysis, a total of 7 studies using DM controls (959 cases and 1209 DM controls) and 3 studies using non-DM controls (400 cases and 802 nonDM controls) were taken. Meta-analysis showed that mutant genotypes of the 677C>T (OR: 1.58; 95%CI: 1.16-2.14) and 1298A>C (OR: 1.38; 95%CI: 1.16-1.65) polymorphisms in the MTHFR gene were associated with increased risk of DN (diabetic kidney disease). MTHFR 677C>T and 1298A>C polymorphisms revealed significant heterogeneity between studies. Further, there was no evidence for publication bias for these polymorphisms. In conclusion, this meta-analysis provides strong evidence that MTHFR 677C>T and 1298A>C polymorphisms may be associated with increased risks of DN. However, further studies are still needed to accurately determine whether MTHFR genetic polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to DN.


2005 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liana Lisboa Fernandez ◽  
Rosane Machado Scheibe

BACKGROUND: The role of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene polymorphisms as risk factors for the occurence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is still controversial: OBJECTIVE: To verify the association between MTHFR and apolipoprotein E (APOE) polymorphisms and Alzheimer's disease. METHOD: This work was conducted as a case-control study. Cases included thirty patients with probable AD. Controls were constituted by 29 individuals without dementia according to neuropsychological tests paired to age, sex, race and educational level. DNA was isolated from peripheral leukocytes of anticoagulated venous blood. Genotyping of APOE and MTHFR were performed by DNA amplification and digestion. The frequences of APOE and MTHFR genotypes were submitted by chi-square test corrected by Fisher test; the APOE genotypes, to chi-square linear tendency test and the frequences of MTHFR mutant and AD, by stratificated anlysis adjust by Mantel-Haenszel method. RESULTS: There was significant difference about APOE4 and APOE2 in the groups. (p=0.002) The odds ratio increased exponentially with the increased number of E4 allele (chi2 linear tendency test). No significant difference was detected on MTHFR genotypes in both case and control groups. CONCLUSION: The APOE4 is a risk factor and demonstrated a dose-depenent effect while APOE2 allele conferred a protection to AD. The MTHFR mutation had no correlation with AD.


1998 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 482-486 ◽  
Author(s):  
Belinda A J Giesendorf ◽  
Jacqueline A M Vet ◽  
Sanjay Tyagi ◽  
Ewald J M G Mensink ◽  
Frans J M Trijbels ◽  
...  

Abstract Molecular beacons are oligonucleotide probes that become fluorescent upon hybridization. We designed molecular beacons to detect a point mutation in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene, a mutation that has been related to an increased risk for cardiovascular disease and neural tube defects. The application of molecular beacons enables fast, semi- automated, accurate mutation detection. Moreover, the procedure is performed in a closed tube system, thereby avoiding carryover contamination. We believe these probes will find their way into nucleic acid research and diagnostics.


2000 ◽  
Vol 84 (10) ◽  
pp. 576-582 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raffaella de Franchis ◽  
Isabella Fermo ◽  
Giuseppina Mazzola ◽  
Gianfranco Sebastio ◽  
Giovanni Di Minno ◽  
...  

SummaryThe frequency of the heterozygous 844ins68 mutation of the cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) gene and of its association with the homozygous C677T transition of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene, plasma fasting tHcy, folate and vitamin B12 levels were evaluated in 309 consecutive patients with objectively diagnosed early-onset venous (n = 200) or arterial thromboembolic disease (n = 109) recruited over 25 months in Milan (North Italy) and Naples (South Italy). The above gene polymorphisms were also evaluated in a population of 787 unmatched controls, 204 of whom – similar to patients for age- and sex-distribution – had fasting tHcy, vitamins and activated protein C resistance measured in their plasma.Moderate fasting hyperhomocysteinemia was detected in 15.5% of patients and in 5.9% of 204 controls (Mantel-Haenszel OR after stratification for type of occlusive disease and gender: 2.88; 1.48–5.32). The frequencies of the 677TT mutation of the MTHFR gene and of the heterozygous 844ins68 insertion of the CBS gene were not significantly different in the patient (19.4% and 6.9%) and the control population (16.5% and 7.8%), but the association of the two gene polymorphisms – found in 3.9% of patients and in 1.1% of controls – was significantly associated with an increased risk of venous or arterial occlusive diseases (RR = 3.63; 1.48–8.91). The MTHFR 677TT mutation (RR: 6.92; 3.86–12.4) and its association with the 844ins68 insertion (RR: 21.9; 8.35–57.4), but not the isolated insertion (RR: 0.71), were more frequent in patients and controls with fasting hyperhomocysteinemia than in normohomocysteinemic subjects, irrespective of the type of occlusive disease (venous or arterial). When adjusted for determinants of hyperhomocysteinemia in the patient and the control populations (generalized linear model), fasting tHcy levels were significantly higher in subjects with association of the two gene abnormalities (24.2 ± 3.8 µmol/L) than in subjects with the MTHFR 677TT mutation only (14.0 ± 5.8 µmol/L, p = 0.004). Activated protein C resistance was significantly more prevalent in venous patients (9.9%) than in controls (3.9%, OR = 2.69; 1.08–6.88). Six of 21 venous patients with APCresistance also had hyperhomocysteinemia (RR = 5.04; 0.68–37.6), but isolated fasting hyperhomocysteinemia retained statistical significance for the association with venous occlusive disease (RR = 2.84; 1.34–6.01).Heterozygosity for the 844ins68 mutation of the CBS gene is not per se a risk factor for premature arterial and/or venous occlusive diseases. However, when detected in combination with thermolabile MTHFR, it increases by almost 4-fold the risk of occlusive diseases (arterial and/or venous), by increasing the risk and the degree of fasting hyperhomocysteinemia.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Rami Salameh ◽  
Mumtaheena Miah ◽  
Catherine Anastasopoulou

We report a 44-year-old male, who was diagnosed with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism after complaining of erectile dysfunction, depression, and fatigue. He was started on testosterone replacement therapy. He persistently complained of fatigue despite increasing the dose of testosterone over two years and having therapeutic testosterone levels. He was found to have homozygous C677T methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene mutation. After treatment with folate and B12, his symptoms resolve completely. MTHFR is a key enzyme in the folate pathway, and it plays an essential role in homocysteine metabolism. Homozygous C677T individuals have decreased activity of MTHFR enzyme with increased homocysteine levels, which is associated with increased risk of thrombosis. An association has been reported between C677T variant and male infertility. Patients identified to have hyperhomocysteinemia should be treated with B-complex vitamin supplements. Our case emphasizes other possible etiologies for fatigue and erectile dysfunction in a male with hypogonadism on testosterone therapy. Also, it shows possible association between MTHFR gene mutation and male hypogonadism.


Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 4691-4691
Author(s):  
Hee Nam ◽  
Yeo-Kyeoung Kim ◽  
Il-Kwon Lee ◽  
Deok-Hwan Yang ◽  
Kyeong-Soo Park ◽  
...  

Abstract Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and methionine synthase (MTR) are key enzymes in folate metabolism, which is essential for DNA methylation and synthesis. It is known that polymorphisms in its genes have been associated with some forms of cancer including lymphoma. Previous studies have shown MTHFR 677TT was associated with decreased risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma(NHL). However, recent two reports have shown MTHFR 677TT was associated with increased risk. To evaluate the association between the MTHFR C677T and MTR A2756G polymorphisms and risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, large-scale population-based case-control study was conducted in Chonnam University Hwasun Hospital between March 1997 and June 2005. Three hundreds sixty-five patients with histologically comfirmed lymphoma and 1,162 controls were evaluated. Genotyping was done using PCR-RFLP. The cases consisted of 203 diffuse large B-cell lymphomas(DLBCL), 77 T-cell lymphomas, 62 other B-cell lymphomas, and 23 unclassifiable lymphomas. The MTHFR 677CT and 677TT genotypes were inversely associated with NHL and DLBCL, respectively. Using subjects with the MTHFR 677CC as reference group, the odds ratio of MTHFR 677CT and 677TT were (0.70, 95% CI 0.54–0.90) and (0.46, 95% CI 0.32–0.68) for NHL. The association was more evident for DLBCL (OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.40–0.78 for 677CT; OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.24–0.65 for 677TT). Dose-response effect was evident for the MTHFR T-allele (p < 0.01). There was no significant association of MTR A2756G with NHL. These results suggest that the MTHFR polymorphism may play an important role in the pathogenesis of NHL, particularly DLBCL.


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