Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene C677T mutation and plasma homocysteine level in Behcet's disease

CANATAROGLU A., TANRIVERDI K., INAL T. C., Seydaoglu G., ARSLAN D., OZBEK S., ...More

RHEUMATOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, vol.23, no.5, pp.236-240, 2003 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 23 Issue: 5
  • Publication Date: 2003
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s00296-003-0301-8
  • Journal Name: RHEUMATOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.236-240
  • Keywords: Behcet's disease, homocysteine, MTHFR C677T mutation, venous thrombosis, VENOUS THROMBOSIS, RISK FACTOR, VASCULAR INVOLVEMENT, HYPERHOMOCYSTEINEMIA, THROMBOEMBOLISM, HEMOSTASIS, EXPRESSION, DEFICIENCY, ARTERIAL, PROJECT
  • Çukurova University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Objective. The aim of this study was to assess whether homozygosity for the 5, 10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T mutation and plasma homocysteine concentration are related to deep vein thrombosis in Behcet's disease (BD) patients. Methods. Forty BD patients (23 males, 17 females; mean age 40.2+/-8.4 years) and 60 healthy controls (HC) (34 males, 26 females; mean age 41.6+/-6.9 years) were included in the study. Fourteen of the BD patients had a history of deep venous thrombosis (DVT), as confirmed by Doppler ultrasound. Results. The rates of homozygosity for the MTHFR C677T mutation in the BD and HC groups were 7.5% and 10%, respectively. The distribution of MTHFR genotypes was similar in the two groups (p>0.05), and analysis showed that homozygosity for the mutation was not a risk factor for DVT. The mean plasma homocysteine levels were 13.4+/-4.2 mumol/l for the overall BD patients and 12.6+/-3.8 mumol/l for HC (p>0.05). However, the mean plasma homocysteine level in the BD patients with DVT history (15.9+/-4.6 mumol/l) was significantly higher than the level in the BD patients with no DVT history (12.1+/-3.3 mumol/l) (p=0.013) and the level in the HC group (12.6+/-3.8 mumol/l) (p=0.025). Conclusion. The study results suggest that elevated plasma homocysteine level may play a role in the pathogenesis of venous thrombosis in BD.