Homocysteinemia and methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase gene’s relation to increased risk of coronary artery disease

Objective To review the association of methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T mutant with coronary artery disease, as well as to highlight the results of some of these studies and to emphasize the need to focus on the genetic architecture of CAD. Data SourcesData used in this article is mainly from relevant articles obtained through Pubmed, OVID and Google Scholar published from 1980 to 2008. Major studies and trials in this period were taken into account to draw accurate conclusion on the relation of those mutations in MTHFR with homocysteinemia and CAD. ResultOur analysis shows that hyperhomocysteinemia, a risk factor for occlusive arterial diseases, can be caused by disruptions of homocysteine metabolism catalyzed by MFTHR. A common alanine to valine mutation in MTHFR may contribute to mild heperhomocysteinemia in CAD. Individuals with the homozygous mutant genotype had higher plasma homocysteine, particularly when plasma folate was below the median value. ConclusionThis MTHFR mutant in the setting of insufficient folate may be a risk factor of CAD and can be regarded as a model of genetic-environmental interaction in the development of CAD.