Abstract

CARDONA, H. et al. Relationship between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphism and homocysteine levels in women with recurrent pregnancy loss: a nutrigenetic perspective. Nutr. Hosp. [online]. 2008, vol.23, n.3, pp.277-282. ISSN 1699-5198.

The objective of this study was to evaluate if there is any difference in the proportion of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphisms and the homocysteine levels in a group of women with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) and a control group. Ninety-three patients with diagnosis of three or more gestational losses and 206 healthy women with two or more children, were included. After acceptance of informed consent, samples of peripheral blood were taken to determine the genetic polymorphisms of MTHFR C677T and the plasmatic levels of homocysteine. The carriers of the homozygous mutation TT of MTHFR 677T polymorphism were 12.9% (12 of 93) in the group of patients and 14.6% (30 of 206) in the control group; 46.2% (43 of 93) and 40% (83 of 206) in the group of patients and controls respectively, were heterozygous CT for MTHFR gene. The levels of homocysteine were 7.2 μmol/ml in the group of patients and 7.7 mmol/l in controls. There was no relationship between MTHFR gene polymorphisms and the increase of homocysteine levels, nor of these one with RPL. From the nutrigenetics perspective we suggest that studies related to MTHFR polymorphisms and the risk of disease include the levels of folate and B₆ and B₁₂ vitamins participating in the tetrahydrofolate cycle for trying to establish a direct relation among the genotype, the level of metabolite and the clinical manifestations. In this regard, we recommend the administration of folic acid in women in search of pregnancy due to the high frequency of heterozygous and homozygous for MTHFR C677T mutation in our population.

Keywords : MTHFR; Recurrent pregnancy loss; Homocysteine; Nutrition.

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