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Query: EC:1.5.7.1 (
methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase
)
2,116
document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)
Folic acid (multivitamins) reduce the recurrence and occurrence of neural tube defects (NTDs). Vitamin profiles seem not suitable to identify women at risk for NTDs. A subset of these women have hyperhomocysteinaemia and a mutation of the gene for thermolabile
methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase
(
MTHFR
). From studies with the rat embryo in vitro, it can be concluded that the de- and remethylation cycle of methionine, being folate and vitamin
B12
dependent, is crucial for embryonic and fetal growth probably via generation of DNA, proteins and polyamines. Nutrition for the embryo is also supplied by the follicular fluid, the yolk sac, the extraembryonic coelomic cavity and the amniotic fluid.
...
PMID:Neural tube defects, vitamins and homocysteine. 958 43
The mechanisms leading to elevated total homocysteine concentrations in peritoneal dialysis patients are only partially understood. We show that a common polymorphism in the
5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase
(
MTHFR
) gene (C677T transition) results in increased total homocysteine levels in peritoneal dialysis patients compared to age- and sex-matched healthy individuals. The allelic frequency of the C677T transition in the
MTHFR
gene in peritoneal dialysis patients (0.29) was comparable to the frequency in healthy individuals (0.34). Separate comparison of the total homocysteine plasma levels between non-carriers of the
MTHFR
polymorphism (C/C), heterozygous (C/T) and homozygous (T/T) subjects was performed by analysis of covariance in the patient and the control group. In the patient group the mean total homocysteine level was 61.7 +/- 40.1 mumol/liter in individuals with the (T/T) genotype, which was significantly higher than the total homocysteine concentration of 23.1 +/- 15.8 mumol/liter in (C/T) patients and 22.2 +/- 11.1 mumol/liter for non-carriers (P = 0.0001). Vitamin B12 (P = 0.0001), folate (P = 0.0005), serum creatinine (P = 0.016), albumin (P = 0.0157) and dialysis center (P = 0.0173) significantly influenced total homocysteine plasma levels in peritoneal dialysis patients, whereas this was not the case for age, gender, weekly Kt/V, weekly creatinine clearance, residual renal function, duration of dialysis, mode of peritoneal dialysis and vitamin intake. Folate levels in peritoneal dialysis patients were significantly affected by the
MTHFR
genotype (P = 0.016). Elevated total homocysteine levels in diabetic patients with cardiovascular disease were associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity. In summary, the present study provides evidence that homozygosity for the C677T transition in the
MTHFR
gene, low vitamin
B12
and low folate levels result in elevated total homocysteine levels in peritoneal dialysis patients.
...
PMID:Major determinants of hyperhomocysteinemia in peritoneal dialysis patients. 960 12
A common mutation in the
5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase
(
MTHFR
) gene results in elevated homocysteine levels and, presumably, in increased atherosclerotic risk. We evaluated serum homocysteine levels,
MTHFR
genotype, and a panel of variables in a sample of 155 middle-aged Italian subjects (mean age 38.1 years). Biometrical, hematological, and biochemical variables (including serum folate and vitamin
B12
) and lifestyle characteristics were investigated.
MTHFR
genotype was studied by polymerase chain reaction. The frequency of the genotype Val/Val (homozygosity for the mutant allele) was 16.13%. The Val/Val genotype was associated with increased levels of homocysteine; no differences among genotypes were seen in individuals with folate or vitamin
B12
levels at or above the median values. In multivariate analysis,
MTHFR
genotype was an independent predictor of homocysteine levels in both biochemical and non biochemical regression models. Sex and diastolic blood pressure emerged as non biochemical variables independently associated with homocysteine. Apart from cofactors, uric acid was the only biochemical variable independently associated with homocysteine, particularly in subjects with Val/Val genotype. The observed parallel increases in homocysteine and uric acid levels in subjects with thermolabile
MTHFR
warrant further investigation.
...
PMID:Common mutation in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase. Correlation with homocysteine and other risk factors for vascular disease. 971 45
Periconceptional folate prevents neural tube defects (NTD) by a mechanism which is unclear. The present study found significant changes in the equilibrium of the homocysteine remethylation cycle in NTD affected mothers, possibly involving
B12
-dependent methionine synthase or
5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase
. Data were consistent with impaired Hcy remethylation leading to poor regeneration of H4PteGlu1, the main intracellular precursor of all folates. This lesion leads to cellular folate deficiency indicated by a significantly lower radioassay RBC folate and 5CH3H4PteGlu4 in affected mothers. The drop in this tetraglutamate is associated with an increase in the abundance of longer chain oligo-gamma-glutamyl folate, again reflecting the underlying folate deficiency. This effect may compromise purine, DNA-thymine, and methionine production, particularly during embryogenesis when folate demand is high. At this time serine hydroxymethyltransferase may play a critical role in conserving H4PteGlu1 for purine synthesis. Many of these depletion effects were corrected with folate supplementation for 1 month.
...
PMID:Impaired regeneration of monoglutamyl tetrahydrofolate leads to cellular folate depletion in mothers affected by a spina bifida pregnancy. 978 91
Hyperhomocysteinemia, a risk factor for vascular disease, is related to vitamin
B12
, vitamin B6, and especially folate deficiency, or to genetic factors such as mutations in
methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase
(
MTHFR
), an enzyme involved in the remethylation pathway of homocysteine to methionine. Recently, a C677 --> T mutation identified in the
MTHFR
gene was found to be frequently associated with decreased
MTHFR
activity and an elevated plasma homocysteine concentration. Since hyperhomocysteinemia seems to be determined by both genetic and environmental factors, we studied the interactions between
MTHFR
(phenotype and genotype) and folate status, including methyltetrahydrofolate (methylTHF), the product of
MTHFR
, on the homocysteine concentration in 52 healthy subjects, (28 women and 24 men; mean age, 32.7 years).
MTHFR
activity seems to be dependent on folate status, as shown by a lower activity in folate-deficient subjects and a return to normal values after supplementation with folic acid, and also by a decreased enzymatic activity on phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated lymphocytes grown in a folic acid-deficient medium. Conversely, the C677 --> T mutation seems to influence folate metabolism. Subjects who were homozygous for this mutation (+/+) had significantly higher plasma homocysteine and lower plasma folate and total and methylfolate levels in red blood cells (RBCs) than heterozygous (+/-) and normal (-/-) subjects. The ratio of RBC methylfolate to RBC total folate was, respectively, 0.27 in +/+, 0.66 in +/-, and 0.71 in -/-. This mutation seems to have an impact on methylTHF generation. These data illustrate the interactions between nutritional and genetic factors.
...
PMID:Plasma homocysteine levels related to interactions between folate status and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase: a study in 52 healthy subjects. 982 23
An increased total plasma homocysteine level is an established risk factor for atherosclerotic vascular disease. The plasma level of homocysteine is influenced by both environmental and genetic factors. An important genetic determinant of plasma homocysteine is a common amino acid dimorphism (Ala222Val) in the
methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase
(
MTHFR
) gene. Individuals homozygous for the Val allele have significantly higher homocysteine levels than those with an Ala/Val or Ala/Ala genotype. Moreover, the Val/Val genotype has been claimed to be a strong genetic risk factor for atherosclerosis. The aim of the present study is: (1) to determine the risk associated with the
MTHFR
dimorphism by comparing the genotype distribution in patients with premature atherosclerosis with that in a group of healthy controls; and (2) to investigate the relationship between the
MTHFR
genotype and parameters of homocysteine metabolism. The patient group consisted of 257 consecutive referred individuals with angiographically proven premature ( <50 years of age) arterial disease (coronary, and/or peripheral vascular disease). A total of 272 healthy hospital workers without a history of vascular disease were selected as a control group. The
MTHFR
-genotype was determined by PCR and gel-electrophoresis. A methionine-loading test was performed on 245 patients, and, in addition to homocysteine, levels of folate and vitamin
B12
were measured. We found a strong correlation between
MTHFR
genotype and plasma homocysteine levels both before and after methionine loading. In addition, the
MTHFR
genotype seems important for the inverse relationship between homocysteine and folate and vitamin
B12
levels. Lastly, the
MTHFR
genotype distribution was not different between patient and control groups.
MTHFR
genotype is a strong determinant of plasma homocysteine levels. Moreover, the plasma level of folate, which by itself influences homocysteine levels, is also dependent on the
MTHFR
genotype. In Val/Val genotypes, low levels of both folate and
B12
lead to a relatively large increase in homocysteine levels. Nevertheless, the
MTHFR
genotype does not increase the risk for premature coronary artery disease.
...
PMID:The effect of a common methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase mutation on levels of homocysteine, folate, vitamin B12 and on the risk of premature atherosclerosis. 986 49
The sulfur-containing amino acid, homocysteine, is formed from the essential amino acid methionine, and a number of B vitamins are involved in methionine metabolism. Pyridoxine, vitamin B6, is a cofactor for cystathionine beta synthase, which mediates the transformation of homocysteine to cystathionine, the initial step in the transsulfuration pathway and the urinary excretion of sulfur. In a normal diet there is conservation of the carbon skeleton, and about 50% of the homocysteine formed is remethylated to methionine via steps that require folic acid and vitamin
B12
. A deficiency of any of these three vitamins leads to modest homocyst(e)ine elevation, as does diminished renal function, both of which are common in the elderly. It is also established that homocyst(e)ine elevation of this order is associated with increased cardiovascular risk but is also associated with most established risk factors, although it is thought to be an independent contributor. In the inborn error of metabolism homocystinuria due to cystathionine beta synthase deficiency there is greatly increased circulating homocyst(e)ine and a clear association with precocious vascular disease. In about 50% of these patients there is a vascular event before the age of 30 years. The homocysteine-induced adverse vascular changes appear to result from endothelial and smooth muscle cell effects and increased thrombogenesis. We have documented a highly significant reduction in the occurrence of vascular events during 539 patient years of treatment in 32 patients with cystathionine beta synthase deficiency (mean age 30 years, range 9-66 years) by aggressive homocyst(e)ine lowering with pyridoxine, folic acid, and
B12
(p = 0.0001). The 15 pyridoxine nonresponsive patients also received oral betaine. Although a cause and effect relationship is postulated for the increased cardiovascular risk associated with mild homocysteine elevation, a common cause of this elevation is the
methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase
C677T mutation. Homozygotes occur in about 11% of Caucasian populations. However, the mutation is not associated with increased coronary risk. Since mild homocysteine elevation is easily normalized by B vitamin supplementation, usually with folic acid, it remains for controlled clinical trials of this inexpensive therapy to determine whether normalizing mild homocyst(e)ine elevation reduces cardiovascular risk.
...
PMID:B vitamins and homocysteine in cardiovascular disease and aging. 992 44
We report a 13-year-old girl with nephropathic cystinosis on chronic peritoneal dialysis who presented with two episodes of stroke. Laboratory evaluation showed severe hyperhomocysteinemia (108 mumol/l). Further testing revealed that she was homozygous for the thermolabile variant of the
methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase
(
MTHFR
) gene. Treatment with folic acid and vitamin
B12
lowered plasma homocysteine to less than 20 mumol/l. No further episodes of stroke occurred over a follow-up of 12 months. Homocysteine levels should be measured in patients with chronic renal failure, since simple and safe treatment with folic acid and vitamin
B12
is effective in lowering the plasma homocysteine level in patients with the thermolabile
MTHFR
allele.
...
PMID:Cerebral vascular complication and hyperhomocysteinemia in a cystinotic uremic child. 1010 Feb 95
Elevated plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) levels, either measured in the fasting state or after oral methionine loading, are associated with an increased risk of atherothrombotic disease. Fasting and post-methionine hyperhomocysteinemia (HHC) overlap to a limited extent; both can occur as familial traits. We investigated determinants of fasting, postmethionine and delta (ie, post-methionine minus fasting levels) tHcy levels in 510 subjects of 192 HHC-prone families including 161 patients with clinical vascular disease and 349 without vascular disease. We focused on tHcy levels in relation to levels of vitamin
B12
, B6 and folate and the
methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase
(
MTHFR
) C677T mutation. Multivariate linear analyses adjusted for the presence of vascular disease showed that fasting tHcy was significantly related to folate and vitamin
B12
, and the presence of the
MTHFR
TT genotype and the T allele, and to age, smoking habits, and serum levels of creatinine. Both post-methionine and delta tHcy levels were related to serum folate levels, and the presence of the
MTHFR
TT genotype and the T allele, and to postmenopausal status, and body mass index. An interaction was found between
MTHFR
TT genotype and serum folate levels for both fasting and post-methionine tHcy, ie, for a given decrease in serum folate, homocysteine levels increased more in subjects with the TT genotype than in those with the CC genotype. Fasting, post-methionine and delta tHcy were higher in patients with vascular disease than in their healthy siblings, but these levels were less dependent on serum folate levels (P<0.05), whereas the effect of
MTHFR
genotype was stronger (P=0.01). This study found evidence that post-methionine and delta tHcy levels are not only influenced by factors affecting homocysteine transsulfuration but also by factors that affect remethylation. The explained variances of fasting, post-methionine and delta tHcy were 49%, 62%, and 78%, respectively. We also found evidence, in patients with premature vascular disease but not in their healthy siblings, for a factor that increases tHcy levels but weakens the normal inverse relation between folate and tHcy and amplifies the effect of the
MTHFR
genotype.
...
PMID:Determinants of fasting and post-methionine homocysteine levels in families predisposed to hyperhomocysteinemia and premature vascular disease. 1032 85
Hyperhomocysteinemia is frequently found in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations may be reduced by supplementation with folic acid or combinations of folic acid, vitamin
B12
, and vitamin B6. Supplementation studies with vitamin
B12
alone in patients with ESRD have not yet been published. In this study, we investigated the effects of intravenous injection of cyanocobalamin (1 mg/wk for 4 weeks) in ESRD patients (N = 14) with low serum cobalamin concentrations (<180 pmol/L). All patients had elevated levels of plasma tHcy, methylmalonic acid (MMA), and cystathionine before supplementation. After supplementation, plasma tHcy and MMA decreased 35% and 48%, respectively; however, cystathionine levels were unchanged. The extent of the plasma tHcy reduction tended to be influenced by the C677T polymorphism of
methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase
(
MTHFR
). Serum cobalamin increased significantly upon supplementation, whereas serum folate levels were substantially reduced by 47%. In contrast, red blood cell (RBC) folate was unchanged. This study shows that vitamin
B12
supplementation effectively decreases both MMA and plasma tHcy in ESRD patients with low
B12
levels. Furthermore, it illustrates the close interrelation between vitamin
B12
and folate metabolism.
...
PMID:Supplementation with vitamin B12 decreases homocysteine and methylmalonic acid but also serum folate in patients with end-stage renal disease. 1033 65
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