MTHFR Polymorphisms Research Articles

Thrombophilia genetic testing in Romanian young women with acute thrombotic events: role of Factor V Leiden, Prothrombin G20210A, MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms / Evaluarea genetică a trombofiliilor la femei tinere din România cu evenimente acute trombotice: rolul Factorului V Leiden, Protrombinei G20210A, polimorfismelor MTHFR C677T și A1298C

Abstract Objective: The present case-control study aimed at evaluating the contribution of thrombophilic polymorphisms to acute venous (VTE) as well as arterial thrombotic events (ATE) in a population of young women with few traditional thrombotic factors (CVRF). Methods: We consecutively enrolled patients under 45 years of age, with less than 3 CVRF, evaluated for VTE or ATE, women and men as a comparator. The control group consisted of healthy young women. A thrombophilia panel and genetic testing for Factor V Leiden (FVL), G20210A Prothrombin and MTHFR polimorphisms were done. Results: A total of 323 persons were enrolled: 71 women and 121 men with thromboembolic events, and 131 healthy female as controls. Hyperhomocysteinemia was more frequent in ATE (30.4%) than VTE female patients (6.25%), p<0.01. Genetic testing was available in 45 women and 84 men with acute thrombotic events and in all controls. Homozygous FVL was associated with VTE in young women (10.3% vs 0% controls, p<0.01). Prothrombin G20210A polymorphism had the lowest prevalence – 5.4% and only heterozygosity was found. MTHFR C677T heterozygosity showed no significant difference between women patients and controls (62.2 % vs 43.5% respectively, p=0.1). The homozygous status, less frequent (6.6%), was not associated with ATE or VTE. Homozygous MTHFR A1298C was associated with VTE in women (17.2% patients vs 4.5% controls, OR 4.34, p 0.02, CI 1.22-15.3). Conclusion: In young women with few CVRF, mild hyperhomocysteinemia, homozygosity for FVL and for MTHFR A1298C polymorphisms increase the risk for VTE but not ATE. MTHFR polymorphisms are found with increased frequency in both healthy persons and patients therefore, their significance as an important thrombotic risk modifier remains unclear.

Polymorphism in MTHFR 677 C>T and 1298 A>C in paternal sperm DNA is associated with increased risk of retinoblastoma in Indian children

Polymorphism in MTHFR 677 C>T and 1298 A>C in paternal sperm DNA is associated with increased risk of retinoblastoma in Indian children

Pharmacogenetic predictors of toxicity to platinum based chemotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer patients

Platinum-based chemotherapy is the standard treatment for NSCLC patients with EGFR wild-type, and as alternative to failure to EGFR inhibitors. However, this treatment is aggressive and most patients experience grade 3⿿4 toxicities. ERCC1, ERCC2, ERCC5, XRCC1, MDM2, ABCB1, MTHFR, MTR, SLC19A1, IL6 and IL16 gene polymorphisms may contribute to individual variation in toxicity to chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of these polymorphisms on platinum-based chemotherapy in NSCLC patients. A prospective cohorts study was conducted, including 141 NSCLC patients. Polymorphisms were analyzed by PCR Real-Time with Taqman® probes and sequencing. Patients with ERCC1 C118T-T allele (p=0.00345; RR=26.05; CI95%=4.33, 515.77) and ERCC2 rs50872-CC genotype (p=0.00291; RR=4.06; CI95%=1.66, 10.65) had higher risk of general toxicity for platinum-based chemotherapy. ERCC2 Asp312Asn G-alelle, ABCB1 C1236T-TT and the IL1B rs12621220-CT/TT genotypes conferred a higher risk to present multiple adverse events. The subtype toxicity analysis also revealed that ERCC2 rs50872-CC genotype (p=0.01562; OR=3.23; CI95%=1.29, 8.82) and IL16 rs7170924-T allele (p=0.01007; OR=3.19; CI95%=1.35, 7.97) were associated with grade 3⿿4 hematological toxicity. We did not found the influence of ERCC1 C8092A, ERCC2 Lys751Gln, ERCC2 Asp312Asn, ERCC5 Asp1104His, XRCC1 Arg194Trp, MDM2 rs1690924, ABCB1 C3435T, ABCB1 Ala893Ser/Thr, MTHFR A1298C, MTHFR C677T, IL1B rs1143623, IL1B rs16944, and IL1B rs1143627 on platinum-based chemotherapy toxicity. In conclusion, ERCC1 C118T, ERCC2 rs50872, ERCC2 Asp312Asn, ABCB1 C1236T, IL1B rs12621220 and IL16 rs7170924 polymorphisms may substantially act as prognostic factors in NSCLC patients treated with platinum-based chemotherapy.

MTHFR and ACE Polymorphisms Do Not Increase Susceptibility to Migraine Neither Alone Nor in Combination.

The aim of this study was to confirm previous reports in order to substantiate the hypothesis that functional variants of two genes, namely methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and angiotensin I converting enzyme, both involved in an important pathway of migraine, increase migraine susceptibility when present in combination. Migraine is a complex genetic disease. The migraine attack is thought to be the result of an interaction of neuronal and vascular events, possibly originating in the brainstem leading to activation of the pain processing trigeminovascular system. Functional variants in the methylenetetrahydrofolate gene and the angiotensin I converting enzyme have influence on vascular mechanism and have been investigated intensively in migraine. The published results were inconsistent; however, both polymorphisms in combination have been shown to increase migraine susceptibility. In this genetic association study, the prevalence of the functionally relevant polymorphisms C677T in the MTHFR gene and I/D polymorphism in the ACE gene was compared in 420 patients with migraine vs 258 migraine-free controls using a chi-square statistic and binary logistic regression. Susceptibility to any type of migraine (migraine with aura, migraine without aura, and both types combined) was neither increased by each polymorphism on its own, nor in combination (MTHFR: X(2) = 0.18 [P = .91]; ACE: X(2) = 1.62 [P = .45]; combined: OR = 1.02 [95% CI 0.98-1.05] P = .97). We could not replicate a previous study that showed significant increase in migraine susceptibility for two functional polymorphisms in genes affecting relevant pathways.

Associations between polymorphisms in folate-metabolizing genes and pancreatic cancer risk in Japanese subjects.

BackgroundEvidence supporting the associations between folate metabolizing gene polymorphisms and pancreatic cancer has been inconclusive. We examined their associations in a case-control study of Japanese subjects.MethodsOur case-control study involved 360 newly diagnosed pancreatic cancer cases and 400 frequency-matched, non-cancer control subjects. We genotyped four folate metabolizing gene polymorphisms, including two polymorphisms (rs1801133 and rs1801131) in the methylenetetrahydrofolate (MTHFR) gene, one polymorphism (rs1801394) in the 5-methyltetrahydrofolate-homocysteine methyltransferase reductase (MTRR) gene and one polymorphism (rs1805087) in the 5-methyltetrahydrofolate-homocysteine methyltransferase (MTR) gene. Genotyping was performed using Fluidigm SNPtype assays. Unconditional logistic regression methods were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations between folate metabolizing gene variants and pancreatic cancer risk.ResultsOverall we did not observe a significant association between these four genotypes and pancreatic cancer risk. For rs1801133, compared with individuals with the CC genotype of MTHFR C677T, the OR for those with the CT genotype and TT genotype was 0.87 (0.62-1.22) and 0.99 (0.65-1.51), respectively. For rs1801131, individuals with the CC genotype had approximately 1.2-fold increased risk compared with those with the AA genotype, but the association was not statistically significant. In analyses stratified by smoking and drinking status, no significant associations were noted for C677T genotypes. No significant interactions were observed with smoking and drinking with respect to pancreatic cancer risk.ConclusionsOur data did not support the hypothesis that MTHFR polymorphisms or other polymorphisms in the folate metabolizing pathway are associated with pancreatic cancer risk.

Spremenjena aktivnost encima 5,10-metilentetrahidrofolat reduktaze (MTHFR) vpliva na razvoj številnih bolezni

The importance of folates in human physiology is well known, as are various pathologies associated with low folate status. Folate deficiency can occur due to low dietary intake, genetic predisposition or treatment with medicines affecting the folate status. The aim of this paper is to explore the importance of determining genetic polymorphisms which influence the levels of biologically active folate. MTHFR is involved in the transformation of 5,10-methylene-THF to 5-methyl-THF. Polymorphisms of the MTHRF gene are associated with decreased enzymatic activity.Only 9.3 % of the population in Slovenia displays full activity of the MTHFR enzyme; these subjects are non-mutated homozygotes (wild-type alleles). In contrast, the average enzymatic activity in subjects with mutated alleles is between 50 and 60 %. MTHFR polymorphism is associated with an increased risk of hyperhomocysteinemia and cardiovascular diseases, neurological disorders and various types of cancer. There is also an increased risk for congenital malformations. Folic acid food fortification was introduced in some countries in order to assure an adequate folate status in the population. However, this approach does not address the decreased activity of MTHFR.Polymorphism in the key enzymes of the folate cycle is common. Determination of the genetic predisposition is therefore plausible in the most vulnerable groups of the population, such as pregnant women and patients receiving medicines influencing the folate cycle in various ways, e.g. 5-fluorouracil, methotrexate and 6-mercaptopurine. Genotyping would allow the identification of patients at high risk for suboptimal folate status.

Association of C677T MTHFR and G20210A FII prothrombin polymorphisms with susceptibility to myocardial infarction

Myocardial infarction (MI) is a common complex pathology, localized in the main leading causes of mortality worldwide. It is the result of the interaction of genetic and environmental factors. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential association of C677T 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) (rs1801133) and G20210A factor II prothrombin (FII) (rs1799963) polymorphisms with the susceptibility of MI. Following extraction by the standard salting-out procedure, DNA samples of 100 MI patients and 182 apparently healthy controls were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism using HinfI and HindIII restriction enzymes, respectively. The results show a significant association of the G20210T FII polymorphism with the MI risk. The frequencies of the heterozygote genotype GA, homozygous mutated AA and the G20210A allele was higher among patients compared to controls (GA: 59 vs. 5.5%, P<0.001; AA: 10 vs. 0%, P=0.003; and 20210A: 39.5 vs. 2.7%, P<0.003), suggesting that this polymorphism may be a potential genetic marker for MI. No significant association was observed between the C677T MTHFR and MI occurrence, and there was more heterozygote CT in the patient group compared to the controls. As a multifactorial disease, the development of MI may be the result of numerous factors that influence synergistically its occurrence. Thus, further studies are merited to try to better assess these associations (gene-gene and gene-environment interactions).

Genetics in Sjögren’s syndrome-related lymphomagenesis

Primary Sjögren’s Syndrome (pSS) is a common chronic autoimmune disease affecting 0.5-1% of the population characterized by the lymphocytic infiltration of exocrine glands. Patients suffering from pSS have a 13-fold higher risk of developing non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) compared to the general population. Although the pathogenetic events leading from benign autoimmunity to malignancy remain unknown, several mutations have been suggested as possible drivers of this process. The aim of the current research proposal isto investigate the putative role of genetic factors in the pathogenesis of SS-related lymphoproliferation. Blood samples from the Biobank in the Department of Experimental Physiology of the Medical School of the University of Athens - including pSS patients with or without NHL - from rheumatoid arthritis individuals and healthy controls would be analyzed for polymorphisms of methylation enzyme MTHFR, B-cell activating factor (BAFF) as well as a mutation of its receptor BAFF-R His159Tyr, and polymorphisms of the DNA repairing enzyme TREX-1 and the NF-κB pathway inhibitor TNFAIP3/A20 with real time polymeric chain reaction (PCR). The mutation of the LILRA3 immunoglobulin, previously associated with both autoimmunity and lymphoma, will be also evaluated by a PCR-based assay. The results would be compared across the different sub-populations in order to determine whether any particular genetic factors and/or mutations can act as prognostic markers for pSS-related lymphoproliferation and propose new treatment approaches ( i.e. targeted therapies) that may benefit these patients.

Immune and Genetic Susceptibility in the Development of Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is the second most frequent cancer in women worldwide. Although 99.7% of cases are attributed to a previous infection by Human papillomavirus, a small percentage of the infected women progress to cervical cancer, suggesting the existence of different risk factors involved in the development and progression of this pathology. Genetic variability related to the host immune system could play an important role in the defense response to Human papillomavirus and therefore to the probability of developing cervical cancer. Worldwide, several international studies have reported that some genetic variations in immune system, such as polymorphisms in genes HLA, CTLA-4, MTHFR, Tp53 and receptors of natural killer cells are associated with susceptibility to cervical cancer, although these variations can also play a protective role depending on the study population. The role of the genetic factors of the host cell is an important factor in the progression of the cervical cancer.

The model homologue of the partially defective human 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, considered as a risk factor for stroke due to increased homocysteine level, can be protected and reactivated by heat shock proteins.

The A222 V substitution in the human MTHFR gene product (5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase) is responsible for a decreased activity of this enzyme. This may cause an increased homocysteine level, considered as a risk factor for arteriosclerosis and stroke. The bacterial homologue of the human enzyme, MetF, has been found to be a useful model in genetic and biochemical studies. The similarity of Escherichia coli MetF and human MTHFR proteins is so high that particular mutations in the corresponding human gene can be reflected by the bacterial mutants. For example, the A222 V substitution in MTHFR (caused by the C667T substitution in the MTHFR gene) can be ascribed to the A117 V substitution in MetF. Here, it is reported that a temperature-sensitive MetF117 (A117 V) protein can be partially protected from a thermal inactivation by the heat shock proteins from the Hsp70/100 systems. Moreover, activity of the thermally denatured enzyme can be partially restored by the same heat shock proteins. High temperature protein G (HtpG) had no effect on MetF117 activity in both experimental systems. The presented results indicate that functions of heat shock proteins may be required for maintenance of the MetF117 function. This may have implications for the mechanisms of arteriosclerosis and stroke, especially in the light of previous findings that the A222 V MTHFR polymorphism may be a risk factor for stroke, as well as recently published results which demonstrated the increased levels of antibodies against heat shock proteins in stroke patients.

Association of gene polymorphisms of FV, FII, MTHFR, SERPINE1, CTLA4, IL10, and TNFalpha with pre-eclampsia in Chinese women.

To investigate the association of polymorphisms in genes involved in coagulation, fibrinolysis, and inflammation with pre-eclampsia (PE) in a Chinese population. It is a case-control study of patients with PE (n=117) and controls (n=286) from the Maternal and Children's Hospital of Shenzhen City carried out between June 2014 and May 2015. The rs6025, rs6020, rs1801133, rs1799963, rs1799889, rs231775, rs1800896, rs1800629, and rs1799724 polymorphisms were analyzed using Snap Shot. Multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) and logistic regression analyses were carried out to assess the interactions among these SNPs. The frequencies of polymorphisms in tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (rs1800629 and rs1799724) and interleukin 10 (IL-10) (rs1800896) were significantly different between patients with PE and controls (P<0.05). The best interaction model identified a marginally significant interaction between rs1799724 and rs1800896 (P=0.05). This study suggests that polymorphisms in the TNF-α and IL-10 genes could be associated with PE, but additional studies are necessary to explore the mechanisms involving these polymorphisms and the gene-gene interactions involved in the susceptibility to PE.

Prevalence of Factor V Leiden-G1691A and MTHFR-C677T Thrombosis Gene Modifier in Iron Deficiency Anemia: A Pathophysiological Effect in Indian Isolates.

Normal iron levels are required to prevent thrombocytosis by inhibiting thrombopoiesis. Thrombocytosis is usually associated with a mild iron deficiency and is the result of a lack of inhibition of thrombopoiesis. Study participants were 430 iron deficiency anemia (IDA) patients. Ten (10) mL of venous blood were collected for the subjects. Ferritin analysis was done by ELISA method while Hemogram analysis was done by auto-analyzer. Factor V Leiden, PRTG20210A, and MTHFR C677T genotype analysis was performed by PCR-RFLP method. Among the patients, 9 were heterozygous (G>A) and 2 were homozygous (A>A) carrier of FV Leiden; while 20 were heterozygous (C>T) and 3 were homozygous (T>T) for MTHFR polymorphism. None of the patient was identified with PT mutation. Patients with thrombosis gene marker had lower hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin levels, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration than patients without thrombosis gene marker. Serum ferritin was elevated in subject with the absence of thrombosis gene markers. Our data suggest a high impact of inherited hypercoagulability risk factors in the pathogenesis of IDA and its complications.

H1299R in coagulation Factor V and Glu429Ala in MTHFR genes in recurrent pregnancy loss in Sari, Mazandaran

Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is caused by different factors, including genetics and thrombophilia. Beside Factor V Leiden, another nucleotide change in a factor V (FV) gene (A4070G; His1299Arg) has been identified linking to hereditary thrombophilia. Also, two proposed MTHFR polymorphisms, C677T and A1298C (Glu429A) are linked with RPL. In this study, the effect of two factors, A4070G in FV and A1298C in MTHFR are evaluated in RPL patients from Mazandaran province, Iran. Sample population of 100 women with RPL and 100 controls with Mazandarani ethnics from northern Iran were consist. The factor V (A4070G) and MTHFR (A1298C) polymorphisms were genotyped by PCR-RFLP. Molecular study showed 5 women from patients and 9 women from control group were heterozygous AG for A4070G. Frequency of "A" allele in patient and control groups was 97.5% (0.975) and 95.5% (0.955) respectively, and "G" allele frequency was 2.5% (0.025) and 4.5% (0.045) respectively. No significant association (p≤0.05) between FV A4070G genotype and RPL with an OR=1.88, CI 95%=0.6-5.82, was observed (p=0.4). Also, for A1298C, all patients and control individuals were AA genotype. "A" allele frequency in patients and control was 100% and "C" allele frequency was zero. There was no significant difference for A1298C between groups. Our finding showed that A4070G and A1298C polymorphisms cannot be considered as a cause of PRL in women from Mazandaran province, northern Iran.

Methionine synthase 2756AA polymorphism is associated with the risk of cognitive impairment in patients with late-life depression.

Apolipoprotein E epsilon-4 (APOE ε4) allele, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR C677T), and methionine synthase (MTR A2756G) were tested their associations with cognitive impairment in people with late-life depression (LLD). People with LLD were assessed by mini-mental state examination and were examined the distribution of APOE ε4 allele, MTHFR, and MTR polymorphisms. Odds ratio of MTR 2756 AA to MTR 2756 AG and GG genotypes for the risk of cognitive impairment was 5.80 (95% confidence interval = 1.18-28.50; P = 0.03). People with LLD carrying MTR2756 AA genotype have higher risk of cognitive impairment than those carrying G allele.

Polymorphisms in the MTHFR and MTR genes and the risk of varicose veins in ethnical Russians

Objectives: The objective of this study was to study the association of polymorphisms MTHFR C677T (rs1801133) and MTR A2756G (rs1805087) with the risk of varicose veins in ethnical Russians.Methods: We genotyped 475 patients with varicose veins, 168 individual without chronic venous disease, and the population-based group of 896 subjects. Association was studied using logistic regression analysis adopting co-dominant, additive, recessive, and dominant models of inheritance.Results: None of the polymorphisms showed a statistically significant association with the risk of varicose veins.Conclusions: Our results provide evidence that the studied polymorphisms do not contribute to genetic susceptibility to varicose veins in ethnical Russians.

Polymorphisms in the MTHFR gene influence embryo viability and the incidence of aneuploidy

MTHFR is an important enzyme in the metabolism of folic acid and is crucial for reproductive function. Variation in the sequence of MTHFR has been implicated in subfertility, but definitive data are lacking. In the present study, a detailed analysis of two common MTHFR polymorphisms (c.677C>T and c.1298A>C) was performed. Additionally, for the first time, the frequencies of different MTHFR alleles were assessed in preimplantation embryos. Several striking discoveries were made. Firstly, results demonstrated that maternal MTHFR c.1298A>C genotype strongly influences the likelihood of a pregnancy occurring, with the 1298C allele being significantly overrepresented amongst women who have undergone several unsuccessful assisted reproductive treatments. Secondly, parental MTHFR genotypes were shown to affect the production of aneuploid embryos, indicating that MTHFR is one of the few known human genes with the capacity to modulate rates of chromosome abnormality. Thirdly, an unusual deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was noted for the c.677C>T polymorphism in subfertile patients, especially those who had experienced recurrent failure of embryo implantation or miscarriage, potentially explained by a rare case of heterozygote disadvantage. Finally, a dramatic impact of the MTHFR 677T allele on the capacity of chromosomally normal embryos to implant is described. Not only do these findings raise a series of interesting biological questions, but they also argue that testing of MTHFR could be of great clinical value, identifying patients at high risk of implantation failure and revealing the most viable embryos during in vitro fertilisation (IVF) cycles.

Genetic and epigenetic variation in the DNMT3B and MTHFR genes and colorectal adenoma risk.

Polymorphisms in DNMT3B and MTHFR have been implicated in cancer etiology; however, it is increasingly clear that gene-specific DNA methylation also affects gene expression. A cross-sectional study (N = 272) investigated the main and joint effects of polymorphisms and DNA methylation in DNMT3B and MTHFR on colorectal adenoma risk. Polymorphisms examined included DNMT3B c.-6-1045G > T, and MTHFR c.665C > T and c.1286A > C. DNA methylation of 66 and 28 CpG sites in DNMT3B and MTHFR, respectively, was quantified in blood leukocytes using Sequenom EpiTYPER®. DNA methylation was conceptualized using two approaches: (1) average methylation and (2) unsupervised principal component analysis to identify variables that represented methylation around the transcription start site and the gene coding area of both genes. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) associated with the main and joint effects of polymorphisms and DNA methylation. DNA methyltransferase 3B (DNMT3B) TT versus GG/GT genotypes was associated with increased colorectal adenoma risk (OR = 2.12; 95% CI: 1.03-4.34). In addition, increasing DNA methylation in the gene-coding area of DNMT3B was associated with higher risk of colorectal adenomas (OR = 1.34; 95% CI: 1.01-1.79 per SD). In joint effect analyses, synergistic effects were observed among those with both the DNMT3B TT genotype and higher DNMT3B methylation levels compared to those with GT/GG genotypes and lower methylation levels (OR = 4.19; 95% CI: 1.45-12.13 for average methylation; OR = 4.26; 95%CI: 1.31-13.87 for methylation in the transcription start site). This research provides novel evidence that genetic and epigenetic variations contribute to colorectal adenoma risk, precursor to the majority of colorectal cancer (CRC).

One‐Carbon Metabolic Kinetics in Human Disease Models

The polymorphisms in MTHFR have been associated with altered risk of numerous human cancers whereas GNMT is commonly diminished in human hepatoma. Folate‐mediated one‐carbon metabolism is an important therapeutic target of many human diseases including cancer. We extensively investigated how gene‐nutrient interactions may modulate human cancer risk in 2 major folate metabolic genes: MTHFR and GNMT. To further understand the metabolic roles of these genes in human disease progression, the biochemical impacts of gene alterations were carefully investigated: methyl group supply, global DNA methylation, nucleotide biosynthesis, DNA damage, and partitioning of the folate dependent 1‐carbon groups. The distinct model systems used included: EB virus‐transformed lymphoblasts expressing human polymorphic genotypes; liver‐derived transformed cell‐lines with and without overexpression of the target gene; and cells with stabilized inhibition using shRNA. We discovered that the genotype with reduced MTHFR function significantly reduces folate‐dependent remethylation under folate restriction, but it assists purine synthesis when folate is adequate. The advantage of de novo purine synthesis found in the MTHFR TT genotype may account for the protective effect of MTHFR in human hematological malignancies. Furthermore, GNMT affects transmethylation kinetics, S‐adenosylmethionine synthesis, and facilitates the conservation of methyl groups by limiting homocysteine remethylation fluxes. Restoring GNMT assists methylfolate‐dependent reactions and ameliorates the consequences of folate depletion. GNMT expression in vivo improves folate retention and bioavailability in the liver. Loss of GNMT impairs nucleotide biosynthesis. Over‐expression of GNMT enhances nucleotide biosynthesis and improves DNA integrity by reducing uracil misincorporation in DNA both in vitro and in vivo. Our systematic series of studies give new insights into the underlying mechanisms by which MTHFR and GNMT may participate in human tumor prevention and progression.Support or Funding InformationMOST 104‐2320‐B005‐010‐MY3; MOST104‐2911‐I005‐301, Ministry of Education, Taiwan, R.O.C. under the ATU plan

Correlation with Platelet Parameters and Genetic Markers of Thrombophilia Panel (Factor II g.20210G>A, Factor V Leiden, MTHFR (C677T, A1298C), PAI-1, β-Fibrinogen, Factor XIIIA (V34L), Glycoprotein IIIa (L33P)) in Ischemic Strokes.

An important type of arterial thrombosis, ischemic stroke is associated with increased mortality risk, severe disability and life quality impairment. In this study, we analyzed mean platelet volume, platelet count values and genetic thrombophilia markers of patients who have ischemic stroke history and searched the relationship with genetic predisposition of ischemic strokes and platelet parameters. A retrospective, clinical trial was performed by reviewing the ischemic stroke history (except cryptogenic events) of 599 patients and 100 controls. The results of the genetic thrombophilia panel were used to classify the study group and control group into low and high risk for thrombophilia groups. The high-risk group included patients homozygous/heterozygous for Factor II g.20210G>A or Factor V Leiden mutations with/without any other polymorphism. The low-risk group included patients heterozygous or homozygous for MTHFR (C677T, A1298C), PAI-1, β-fibrinogen, Factor XIIIA (V34L) and glycoprotein IIIa (L33P) polymorphisms or negative in terms of both mutations and polymorphisms. The results of study showed us that high-risk group mutations are important risk factors for ischemic stroke but low-risk group polymorphisms are not significant. According to platelet parameters, although there was a significant difference between MPV and PLT values of ischemic stroke and control group, thrombophilia mutations and polymorphisms have not a significant effect on MPV and PLT values in ischemic stroke patients.

Zinc Finger 259 Gene Polymorphism rs964184 is Associated with Serum Triglyceride Levels and Metabolic Syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is characterized by a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors that include: abdominal obesity, dyslipidaemia, hypertension, insulin resistance and impaired glucose tolerance. Recent genome wide association studies have identified several susceptibility regions involved in lipid metabolism that are also associated with MetS. We have explored the association of 9 genetic polymorphisms involved in lipid metabolism and hypertension, including: MTHFR C677T, SELE L554F, FGB - 455G>A, GNB3 C825T, ZNF259 C>G, PSRC-1 A>G, CETP I405V, LPL S447X and LPA C>T in 97 subjects with MetS and 96 individuals without MetS who were recruited randomly from Mashhad stroke and heart atherosclerotic disorder (MASHAD) study using a stratified cluster random sampling technique. Anthropometric parameters and biochemical measurements were determined in all the subjects. Genotyping was carried out followed by univariate and multivariate analyses. The subjects with MetS had a higher triglyceride and lower HDL- C. CG+ GG genotypes of ZNF259 polymorphism (rs964184 C>G) and TT+CT genotypes of MTHFR C677T (rs1801133) were associated with MetS, and individuals carrying the G allele for ZNF259 or the T allele for MTHFR polymorphisms were associated with MetS (e.g, odds ratio (OR) for CG+GG genotypes vs. CC wild type: 2.52, CI=1.33-4.77; P=0.005). However, after multiple comparison adjustment, this relationship remained significant only for CG+ GG genotypes of ZNF259 polymorphism. Moreover, the ZNF259 CG+ GG genotypes were associated with increased serum concentrations of triglycerides and LDL-C, compared to the wild type. These data support the necessity for further studies in larger multicenter settings.