Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase Gene C677T Polymorphism and Vitamin B Group in Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Apparently Healthy Subjects

Background and purpose: Plasma level of vitamin B group and age factor have been identified as potential inter- fereing factor involved in the metabolism of homocysteine (Hcy) which was proved as a risk factor related to the severity of carotid artherosclersis. Gene of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) with 677TT genotype was reported to associate with the increase of carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) via increased plasma level of total homocysteine (tHcy). In this study, we investigated the association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and severity of carotid IMT. Methods: A total of 541 subjects were recruited from a health examination clinic without dyslipidemia, alcoholism, diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Fasting plasma tHcy , vitamin B6, B12 and folate were measured. Bilateral carotid IMT was estimated by carotid B-mode ultrasound. MTHFR C677T polymorphism was identified by PCR method. Results: We found that level of folate, vitamin B6, B12 and age factors play as significantly interfering roles to the alteration of plasma tHcy (P＜0.05). MTHFR 677TT carriers revealed lower level of plasma folate and higher plasma level of tHcy compared with subjects harboring CC or CT genotypes (P＜0.05). Age, sex, BMI and plasma tHcy were four independent factors contributed to the increased IMT of common carotid arteries (P＜0.05) but not including the risk factor of MTHFR 677TT genotype (P＞0.05). Conclusions: Plasma tHcy is an independent risk factor for increased carotid artery wall thickness in apparently healthy subjects. However, MTHFR C677T polymorphism failed to determinate the variation of carotid IMT.

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MTHFR ； homocysteine ； vitamin B group ； intima media thicknessBackground and purpose: Plasma level of vitamin B group and age factor have been identified as potential inter- fereing factor involved in the

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