J Korean Rheum Assoc.  2003 Sep;10(3):283-292.

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

• Park JH
• El-Sohemy
• Kang TY
• Joung CI
• Jeon SC
• Lee HS
• Uhm WS
• Kim TH
• Jun JB
• Yoo DH
• Bae SC

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Studies have suggested that the 5, 10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T mutation (alanine --< valine) is a risk factor for atherosclerotic disease. We assessed the association between MTHFR gene polymorphism and carotid atherosclerosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
METHODS
Forty postmenopausal RA women (mean age: 58+/-5 years, mean duration of RA 14+/-5 years) treated with low dose methotrexate, other concurrent disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, steroid (prednisolone < or =5 mg/day) and folic acid (> 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.

Keyword

Rheumatoid arthritis; Atherosclerosis; Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase; Polymorphism

MeSH Terms

Acute-Phase Proteins
Alleles
Antirheumatic Agents
Arthritis, Rheumatoid*
Atherosclerosis
Blood Pressure
Body Mass Index
Carotid Artery Diseases*
Carotid Artery, Common
Female
Folic Acid
Genotype
Humans
Inflammation
Methotrexate
Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2)*
Oxidoreductases
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Polymorphism, Genetic
Rheumatoid Factor
Risk Factors
Ultrasonography
Acute-Phase Proteins
Antirheumatic Agents
Folic Acid
Methotrexate
Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2)
Oxidoreductases
Rheumatoid Factor