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The Relation between Plasma Homocysteine Concentration and Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase Gene Polymorphism in Pregnant Women
Author(s) -
Murakami Soh,
Matsubara Naoko,
Saitoh Masahiro,
Miyakawa Sohei,
Shoji Makoto,
Kubo Takeshi
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of obstetrics and gynaecology research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.597
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1447-0756
pISSN - 1341-8076
DOI - 10.1111/j.1447-0756.2001.tb01284.x
Subject(s) - methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase , genotype , homocysteine , medicine , pregnancy , endocrinology , autoanalyzer , gene polymorphism , allele , gene , genetics , biology
Objectives: Our purpose was to clarify the influence of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene polymorphism on plasma homocysteine (Hcy) concentrations during early pregnancy. Methods: Between 1996 and 1998, Hcy concentration and MTHFR gene polymorphism were studied in 840 pregnant women between 6 to 12 weeks' gestation. Hcy concentration was measured by amino acid autoanalyzer (DLC‐300, Nihon Denshi), and MTHFR genotypes were determined by the PCR/RFLP methods. Pregnancy outcomes were compared in association with Hcy concentration and MTHFR genotypes. Results: A total of 816 of the 840 women were enrolled into the study because MTHFR genotypes were not available in 24 women. Genotypes of C677T in the MTHFR gene were CC: CT: TT (%) = 280 (34.3): 400 (49.0): 136 (16.7). Plasma Hcy concentration was significantly (p < 0.0001) higher in women with TT genotype than other genotypes [CC: CT: TT = 5.67 (2.8–10.6): 5.80 (2.5–20.1): 6.91 (3.5–20.9) nmol/m l , median (range)]. Women with hyperhomo‐cysteinemia had severe preeclampsia (2 of 35 vs 5 of 714, p < 0.01) and stillbirth (2 of 35 vs 10 of 714, p < 0.05) more frequently than normohomocysteinemia. Conclusions: Plasma Hcy concentration during early pregnancy was higher in women with homozygote for the T677 allele in the MTHFR gene than other genotypes.