The A677V methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene polymorphism and carotid atherosclerosis

I. Bova, J. Chapman, C. Sylantiev, A. D. Korczyn, N. M. Bornstein*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

33 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background and Purpose - The alanine/valine (A/V) polymorphism at codon 677 of the 5,10 methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene correlates with elevated levels of plasma homocysteine and with an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Our study was designed to assess the frequency of the A and V alleles in patients with asymptomatic severe carotid artery stenosis (CAS) assessed by extracranial duplex examination in comparison with age- and sex-matched subjects without carotid atherosclerosis. Methods - Consecutive patients (n=48; 28 men, mean±SD age 67.1 ± 11.4 years) with asymptomatic severe (>75%) CAS were compared with subjects without CAS (n=26; 15 men, aged 61.2± 11.5). The MTHFR genotype was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction followed by HinfI digestion. The χ2 analysis and t test were used to compare the groups. Results - The frequency of V alleles was significantly higher in the CAS group (0.47) compared with control subjects (0.27, χ2 test; OR 2.4 [95% CI 1.1 to 5.3]; P<0.02). Conclusions - Our results indicate that the MTHFR A677V allele is significantly associated with severe CAS.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2180-2182
Number of pages3
JournalStroke
Volume30
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1999

Keywords

  • Amine oxidoreductases
  • Atherosclerosis
  • Carotid stenosis
  • Genetics
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler

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