• Chin-San Liu, Hui-Chin Chiang, and Haw-Wen Chen.
• Department of Neurology and Neuroscience, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan.
• Nutrition. 2004 Nov 1;20(11-12):974-8.

ObjectiveThe polymorphism of the gene encoding methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and folic acid nutritional status play important roles in atherosclerosis. The present study investigated the total homocysteine-lowering effect of folic acid in response to the MTHFR genotype in patients who have cardiovascular disease.MethodsTwenty-three patients who had cardiovascular disease (ages 44 to 88 y) were supplemented with 5 mg of folic acid/d for 8 wk. Blood samples were collected before and after supplementation for the measurement of folic acid. The presence of the 677C-->T mutation was assessed by polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction enzyme analysis.ResultsAfter the 8 wk of folic acid supplementation, plasma total homocysteine decreased 40% in patients who had the TT genotype, 23% in those who had the CT genotype, 10% in those who had the CC genotype, and 27% in carriers of the T allele. The plasma total homocysteine-lowering effect of folic acid was significant only in patients who had the CT genotype and in carriers of the T allele.ConclusionsThe MTHFR polymorphism may be involved in the total homocysteine-lowering effect of folic acid in patients who have cardiovascular disease.

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