The relation between plasma homocysteine concentration and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene polymorphism in pregnant women

Objective: Our Purpose was to clarify the influence of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene polymorphism on plasma homocysteine (Hcy) concentrations during early pregnancy. Methods: Between 1996 and 1998, Hcy concentration and MTHFR gene polymorphism were studied in 840 pregnant women between 6 to 12 weeks' gestation. Hcy concentration was measured by amino acid autoanalyzer (DLC-300, Nihon Denshi), and MTHFR genotypes were determined by the PCR/RFLP methods. Pregnancy outcomes were compared in association with Hcy concentration and MTHFR genotypes. Results: A total of 816 of the 840 women were enrolled into the study because MTHFR genotypes were not available in 24 women. Genotypes of C677T in the MTHFR gene were CC: CT: TT (%) = 280 (34.3): 400 (49.0): 136 (16.7). Plasma Hcy concentration was significantly (p < 0.0001) higher in women with TT genotype than other genotypes [CC: CT: TT = 3.67 (2.8-10.6):5.80 (2.5-20.1):6.91 (3.5-20.9) nmol/ml, median (range)]. Women with hyperhomocysteinemia had severe preeclampsia (2 of 35 vs 5 of 714, p < 0.01) and stillbirth (2 of 35 vs 10 of 714, p < 0.05) more frequently than normohomocysteinemia. Conclusions: Plasma Hcy concentration during early pregnancy was higher in women with homozygote for the T677 allele in the MTHFR gene than other genotypes.