METHYLENETETRAHYDROFOLATE REDUCTASE C677T POLYMORPHISM AND RELATION SHIP WITH CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is involved in the reduction of 5, 10-methylenetetrahydrofolate to 5-methyltetrahydrofolate. A 677 C/T single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) localized in the MTHFR gene was associated with both thermo ability and reduced activity of the enzyme and is associated with increased homocysteine levels. The aim of this study was to establish the genetic frequency of MTHFR SNP and whether this MTHFR SNP may affect a homocysteine level and if it is considered as a risk factor for Coronary artery disease (CAD).This study included 65 subjects (40 cases 25 controls). For all participants in this study total lipids profile, Apo Al, homoysteine, blood glucose, folic acid and genetic polymorphism of MTHFR were done. The percentage distribution of the different genotypes in the study population (all subjects) showed that the CC genotype was the most prevalent one followed by CT and then TT (45 %, 35 %, 20 %) respectively. There was no significant association of T Allele in CAD group when compared to control group although plasma homocysteine level was higher in the CAD compared to the control. It seemed that the high levels of homocysteine in CAD are not only dependent on MTHFR activity but also on many factors such as age, sex, and other vitamins which were not measured in this study such as B12 and B6.