[Familial predisposition to ischemic cardiopathy: role of homocysteine and genetic polymorphism of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase]. / La predisposizione familiare alla cardiopatia ischemica: ruolo dell'omocisteina e del polimorfismo genetico della metilenetetraidrofolato reduttasi.

ABSTRACT

Homocysteine represents a risk factor for coronary artery disease determined not only by nutritional habits, but also by the genetic polymorphism of the enzymes involved in its metabolism (i.e. methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase - MTHFR). However, recent prospective studies questioned the initial evidence of a clear epidemiological and pathogenetic link between homocysteine levels and coronary artery disease. Moreover, the relationships between MTHFR polymorphism and coronary artery disease remain unclear. In this paper, the recent literature analyzing the role of homocysteine and MTHFR polymorphism as a risk factor for coronary artery disease has been reviewed.