Evaluation of plasma homocysteine level according to the C677T and A1298C polymorphism of the enzyme MTHRF in type 2 diabetic adults

Abstract

Objective: To determine plasma homocysteine levels during fasting and after methionine overload, and to correlate homocysteinemia according to methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphism in type 2 diabetic adults. Subjects and methods: The study included 50 type 2 diabetic adults (DM group) and 52 healthy subjects (Control group). Anthropometric data, and information on food intake, serum levels of vitamin B 12 , folic acid and plasma homocysteine were obtained. The identification of C677T and A1298C polymorphisms was carried out in the MTHFR gene. Results: There was no significant difference in homocysteinemia between the two groups, and hyperhomocysteinemia during fasting occurred in 40% of the diabetic patients and in 23% of the controls. For the same polymorphism, there was not any significant difference in homocysteine between the groups. In the Control group, homocysteinemia was greater in those subjects with C677T and A1298C polymorphisms. Among diabetic subjects, those with the A1298C polymorphism had lower levels of homocysteine compared with individuals with C677T polymorphism. Conclusion: The MTHFR polymorphism (C677T and A1298C) resulted in different outcomes regarding homocysteinemia among individuals of each group (diabetic and control). These data suggest that metabolic factors inherent to diabetes influence homocysteine metabolism. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2012;56(7):429-34 Keywords Diabetes; homocysteine; methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase; polymorphism RESUMO Objetivo: Determinar os níveis plasmáticos de homocisteína de jejum e após sobrecarga de metionina e correlacionar a homocisteinemia com o polimorfismo C677T e A1298C da metilenotetra-hidrofolato redutase (MTHFR) em diabéticos tipo 2. Sujeitos e métodos: O estudo incluiu 50 adultos diabéticos tipo 2 (Grupo DM) e 52 indivíduos saudáveis (Grupo controle). Obtiveram-se os dados antropométricos, de ingestão alimentar, níveis séricos de vitamina B 12 , ácido fólico e homocisteína plasmática. Os polimorfismos C677T e A1298C foram identificados no gene da enzima MTHFR. Resultados: Não houve diferença na homocisteinemia entre os grupos, embora a hiper-homocisteinemia de jejum tenha ocorrido em 40% dos diabéticos e 23% dos controles. Para o mesmo polimorfismo, não houve diferenças na homocisteinemia entre os grupos de estudo. Nos controles, a homocisteína foi maior entre aqueles com polimorfismos C677T e A1298C. Os diabéticos com polimorfismo A1298C apresentaram menores níveis de homocisteína quando comparados àqueles com polimorfismo C677T. Conclusão: Os polimorfismos da MTHFR (C677T e A1298C) resultaram em resposta distinta na homocisteinemia entre os indivíduos dentro de cada grupo (diabéticos e controles). Os dados sugerem que fatores metabólicos inerentes ao estado diabético influenciam o metabolismo da homocisteína. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2012;56(7):429-34 Descritores Diabetes; homocisteína; metilenotetra-hidrofolato redutase; polimorfismo

Prevalence of Hyperhomocysteinemia in China: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…To our knowledge, this is the first meta-analysis of prevalence of HHcy in China, and the results showed that the overall estimate of HHcy prevalence was 27.5%. The pooled prevalence is similar to that reported in Brazil [ 24 ] and Lebanon [ 25 ], but higher than that reported in Switzerland [ 26 ], Costa Rica [ 27 ], and Korea [ 28 ], and lower than that reported in Iran [ 29 ], Algeria [ 30 ], and coastal West Africa [ 11 ]. The different prevalence rates reported in various countries could be due to different population inclusion criteria, genetic backgrounds, as well as differences in HHcy risk factor profiles (such as nutrition status, environment exposures, and lifestyles) in the population of each country.…”

Hyperhomocysteinemia accompany with metabolic syndrome increase the risk of left ventricular hypertrophy in rural Chinese

“…Although studies have claimed that the prevalence of HHcy is higher in northern areas, the results from our study showed an even higher rate than previously reported. In addition, the prevalence was higher than those of many other places in the world, such as Brazil [22], Lebanon [23], Korea [24] and West Africa [25]. One of the major possible reasons for the high prevalence of HHcy might be the different dietary habits in rural Northeast China.…”

The relationship between of ACE I/D and the MTHFR C677T polymorphisms in the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus in a population of Brazilian obese patients

“…One study of a cohort of Brazilian subjects did not find any association between the I/D polymorphism of the ACE gene and patients with T2DM and metabolic syndrome according to the criteria of the World Health Organization (27), and there are no studies reporting the risk of individuals with this polymorphism developing diabetes. Although there is a Brazilian study that correlates homocysteine levels in patients with and without T2DM to the polymorphism of the MTHFR gene (28), there are no studies showing any association of this gene with the risk of developing diabetes in the same population.…”