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Homocysteine levels and MTHFR polymorphisms in young patients with acute myocardial infarction: a case control study

Christos Eftychiou1, Loizos Antoniades, Loukia Makri

  • 1Cardiology Department, Nicosia General Hospital, 215 Old Road Nicosia-Limassol, Strovolos, Nicosia, Cyprus. chiou6christos@yahoo.com

Hellenic Journal of Cardiology : HJC = Hellenike Kardiologike Epitheorese
|June 2, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Higher homocysteine levels are linked to acute myocardial infarction (MI) and multi-vessel coronary artery disease (CAD) in young Cypriot men. MTHFR gene variations were not associated with disease risk, but lower HDL cholesterol correlated with elevated homocysteine.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Genetics
  • Clinical Biochemistry
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Elevated homocysteine levels are a known risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD).
  • Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene polymorphisms are a common cause of genetic hyperhomocysteinemia.
  • Premature CAD and acute myocardial infarction (MI) represent a significant health concern, particularly in younger populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between homocysteine levels, MTHFR polymorphisms (C677T and A1298C), and premature CAD in the Cypriot population.
  • To determine the role of these factors in acute myocardial infarction (MI).
  • To explore the relationship between homocysteine, MTHFR, and disease severity (single-vessel vs. multi-vessel CAD).

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study was conducted with 63 male patients under 50 presenting with MI and 54 age-matched controls without CAD.
  • Fasting homocysteine and lipid profiles were measured within 24 hours of admission.
  • MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms were genotyped.

Main Results:

  • Mean homocysteine levels were significantly higher in patients (14.5 mol/L) compared to controls (12.3 mol/L).
  • No significant association was found between MTHFR C677T or A1298C homozygous genotypes and MI risk.
  • Higher homocysteine levels were observed in patients with multi-vessel CAD compared to single-vessel CAD.
  • Lower HDL cholesterol was associated with higher homocysteine levels (OR=0.901).

Conclusions:

  • Elevated homocysteine levels are associated with acute MI and multi-vessel CAD in Cypriot men under 50.
  • MTHFR polymorphisms do not appear to be a significant risk factor for premature CAD or MI in this population.
  • Lower HDL cholesterol is a contributing factor to higher homocysteine levels, suggesting a complex interplay in cardiovascular risk.
Abstract

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