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Thromb Haemost 1999; 82(01): 19-23
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1614623
Rapid Communication
Schattauer GmbH

Genetic Polymorphism of 5,10-MTHFR Reductase Gene in Offspring of Patients with Myocardial Infarction

Maurizio Margaglione
1   From Unita’ di Aterosclerosi e Trombosi, I.R.C.C.S. “Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza”, S. Giovanni Rotondo
,
Donatella Colaizzo
1   From Unita’ di Aterosclerosi e Trombosi, I.R.C.C.S. “Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza”, S. Giovanni Rotondo
,
Giuseppe Cappucci
1   From Unita’ di Aterosclerosi e Trombosi, I.R.C.C.S. “Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza”, S. Giovanni Rotondo
,
Annamaria del Popolo
1   From Unita’ di Aterosclerosi e Trombosi, I.R.C.C.S. “Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza”, S. Giovanni Rotondo
,
Gennaro Vecchione
1   From Unita’ di Aterosclerosi e Trombosi, I.R.C.C.S. “Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza”, S. Giovanni Rotondo
,
Elvira Grandone
1   From Unita’ di Aterosclerosi e Trombosi, I.R.C.C.S. “Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza”, S. Giovanni Rotondo
,
Giovanni Di Minno
2   From Istituto di Medicina Interna e Geriatria, Università di Palermo, Italy
› Author AffiliationsThe financial support of Telethon-Italy (Grant no. E.C 804) is gratefully acknowledged.
Further Information

Publication History

Received 05 February 1999

Accepted after resubmission 19 April 1999

Publication Date:
11 December 2017 (online)

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Summary

A family history of myocardial infarction is a major determinant of ischemic disease. A C->T677 polymorphism in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene has been identified as a cause of mild hyperhomocysteinemia, a risk factor for arterial thrombosis. We have investigated the relationship between the MTHFR TT genotype and a family history of myocardial infarction in a cohort of 982 apparently healthy individuals. Subjects whose first-degree relatives suffered from a myocardial infarction, showed raised median age (p <0.001), total cholesterol (p <0.001) and plasma fibrinogen (p = 0.023) and a higher than normal frequency of C-reactive protein levels >0.33 mg/dl (p = 0.012). Moreover, when compared to subjects without such family history, a higher number of homozygotes for the T allele of the MTHFR gene (p = 0.027), and of the 4G allele of the plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 gene (p = 0.002) was found in the subsetting of the offspring of patients with myocardial infarction. In a multiple logistic regression analysis, age (OR 1.02 [95%-CI: 1.00-1.05]), total cholesterol (OR 1.40 [95%-CI: 1.14-1.71]), C-reactive protein levels >0.33 mg/l (OR: 1.87 [95%-CI: 1.10-3.20]), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 4G/4G (OR: 1.84 [95%-CI: 1.27-2.66]), and MTHFR TT genotype (OR 1.62 [95%-CI: 1.08-2.42]), were all associated with a family history of myocardial infarction. Thus, the MTHFR TT genotype independently accounts for the risk of a family history for myocardial infarction in the present setting.

Keywords

Myocardial infarction - risk factors - genes - methylenetetrahydrofo-late reductase
 

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