J Korean Med Sci.  2004 Apr;19(2):209-213. 10.3346/jkms.2004.19.2.209.

The C677 Mutation in Methylene Tetrahydrofolate Reductase Gene: Correlation with Uric Acid and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Elderly Korean men

• Hong YS
• Lee MJ
• Kim KH
• Lee SH
• Lee YH
• Kim BG
• Jeong B
• Yoon HR
• Nishio H
• Kim JY

• KMID: 1733478
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2004.19.2.209

Abstract

The C677T mutation in the methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene results in elevated homocysteine levels and, presumably, in increased cardiovascular risk. Moreover, elevated homocysteine levels are reportedly associated with high serum uric acid levels. We evaluated the MTHFR genotype and a panel of biochemical, hematological variables, and lifestyle characteristics in 327 elderly Korean men (age range 40-81 yr; mean, 51.87). This study shows that mutation of the MTHFR gene may be a risk for hyperuricemia. The mean uric acid levels for the C/C, C/T and T/T genotypes were 5.54, 5.91 and 6.33 mg/dL, respectively (p=0.000). The T/T genotype was significantly more frequent in subjects with high uric acid levels (p=0.003). Thus, this mutation of the MTHFR gene is implied by the study results to be a risk factor of hyperuricemia in elderly Korean men. However, the relationship between the MTHFR mutation and uric acid metabolism remains unclear. Therefore, further studies are necessary to explain the associated between the MTHFR mutation and elevated uric acid levels, and to examine potential relationships between it and conventional cardiovascular risk factors.

Keyword

Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2); Uric Acid; Hyperuricemia; Cardiovascular Diseases; Risk Factors

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Cardiovascular Diseases/blood/*epidemiology/*genetics
Genetic Predisposition to Disease/epidemiology
Genotype
Human
Hyperuricemia/blood/*epidemiology/*genetics
Korea
Male
Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2)/*genetics
Middle Aged
*Point Mutation
Risk Factors
Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Uric Acid/blood

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