Lack of Association between Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase Gene Polymorphism and Carotid Atherosclerosis in Korean Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis / 대한류마티스학회지

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Studies have suggested that the 5, 10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T mutation (alanine -- or =1 mg/day) were studied. The genetic polymorphism was detected by the polymerase chain reaction. We measured intima-media thickness (IMT) and plaques of the common carotid arteries by ultrasonography, and evaluated relations among the known risk factors for atherosclerosis, the genetic polymorphism, RA outcomes (Steinbrocker's radiological stage and functional class defined by the ACR criteria) and markers of inflammation (erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein). RESULTS: Among the 40 subjects, 12 had MTHFR genotype CC, 24 genotype CT, and 4 genotype TT. The frequencies of the MTHFR C and T allele were 0.6 and 0.4, respectively. Between the subjects with the CC genotype and those with the mutant T allele, there was no difference in age, body mass index, blood pressure (BP), lipid, duration of RA, RA outcome indices, rheumatoid factor, acute phase reactants and IMT. Carotid IMT was positively associated with age, systolic BP and antihypertensive drug use. There was no significant association between carotid IMT and the MTHFR C677T mutation. CONCLUSION: It is assumed that there was no significant relationship between the MTHFR C677T polymorphism and carotid atherosclerosis in Korean postmenopausal RA women.