Involvement of MnSOD Ala16Val polymorphism in epilepsy: A relationship with seizure type, inflammation, and metabolic syndrome

The MnSOD Ala16Val single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) has shown to be associated to inflammatory pathways and many metabolic disorders, such as obesity and dyslipidemia. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is an emergent problem among patients with epilepsy. However, little is known about interaction between MnSOD Ala16Val SNP and metabolic comorbities in epilepsy. Thus, we investigated the relationship between MnSOD Ala16Val SNP with epilepsy and its influence on MetS, inflammation, apoptosis and DNA damage parameters. Ninety subjects were evaluated (47 epilepsy patients and 43 healthy controls) by questionnaires and laboratorial exams. Levels of inflammatory, apoptotic and DNA damage markers, as well as MnSOD polymorphism were assessed. An increased proportion of VV genotype in epilepsy group when compared to control group was observed. Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α), Acetylcholinesterase, caspase-8, and Picogreen levels were increased in VV epilepsy group. An important correlation between TNF-α vs caspase-8, and Cholesterol vs. Triglycerides was observed in the epilepsy group with VV genotype. Our findings suggest that the MnSOD Ala16Val SNP might have an important role in epilepsy, mainly in patients with generalized seizures and particularly with VV genotype. The metabolic parameters also presented significant results in epilepsy group with VV genotype, which applying attention in view of further consequences and disorders that could be developed.