(Circulation. 2000;101:e171.)
© 2000 American Heart Association, Inc.
Circulation Electronic Pages |
Hyperhomocysteinemia, MTHFR, and Risk of Vascular Disease
Department of Pediatrics University Hospital Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Wageningen Centre for Food Sciences and, Wageningen University, Division of Human Nutrition and Epidemiology, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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To the Editor:
In contrast to data derived from many epidemiological studies,1 Brattström et al2 conclude that mild hyperhomocysteinemia is not causally related to the pathogenesis of vascular disease. Their conclusion is based on a meta-analysis of 23 studies in which they observed no significant increased risk of vascular disease among subjects with the TT genotype for the MTHFR C677T polymorphism (a common mutation that raises total homocysteine [tHcy] in plasma) compared with those with the CC genotype.
In our opinion, the authors have overlooked several crucial aspects:
1. They calculated that subjects with the MTHFR TT genotype have plasma tHcy concentrations 2.6 µmol/L higher than those with the CC genotype. Presuming that an increase in plasma tHcy of 1 µmol/L is associated with approximately a 10% increase in risk of vascular disease,1 the expected odds ratio (OR) for the TT genotype compared with the CC genotype is 1.26. This is well within the 95% CI Brattström et al calculated (OR 1.12 [95% CI 0.92 to 1.37]). Therefore, their study does not prove or disprove whether TT genotype is associated with increased risk of vascular disease.
2. MTHFR regulates availability of 1-carbon units of folate not only for remethylation of homocysteine, but also for synthesis of thymidine and purines. Reduced MTHFR activity will hamper homocysteine remethylation but lead to higher availability of folate for DNA synthesis.3 4 The latter may be beneficial during cell division, eg, during repair of endothelial damage. Indeed, endothelial cells with the TT genotype in culture grow faster than those with the other MTHFR genotypes (H.J. Blom and E.F. van der Molen, unpublished observation, 1998).
3. It is not unlikely that the TT genotype emerges as a risk factor for vascular disease mainly in populations with low-normal folate intake, considering that it results in moderate hyperhomocysteinemia mainly in subjects with suboptimal folate status.5 In fact, from the data presented by Brattström et al,2 it appears that this polymorphism is directly associated with vascular disease more often in European than North American studies. This may be explained in part by the fact that use of multivitamin supplements and fortification of grain products with folic acid is much more common in the United States/Canada than in Europe.
We are currently gathering original data of observational studies on the relationship between this polymorphism and risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). We will study whether the TT genotype is associated with a beneficial CHD risk profile, eg, low blood pressure. Preliminary results are expected in the summer of 2000.
Within 2 to 4 years, clinical trials of tHcy lowering by supplementation with folic acid (and vitamins B6 and B12) will be completed. Conceivably, these trials cannot prove a causal role of elevated plasma tHcy, as there is still a possibility that low vitamin status itself is the primary cause of vascular disease and elevation of plasma tHcy levels just a marker of low vitamin status. The premature conclusions drawn by Brattström et al could direct public health attention away from the possibly important role of folate and the other B vitamins.
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References |
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TopIntroductionReferences |
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1. Boushey CJ, Beresford SAA, Omenn GS, Motulsky AG. A quantitative assessment of plasma homocysteine as a risk factor for vascular disease: probable benefits of increasing folic acid intakes. JAMA. 1995;274:1049–1057.
2.
Brattström L, Wilcken DEL, Öhrvik J,
Brudin L. Common
methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase
gene mutation leads to hyperhomocysteinemia but not to vascular
disease: the result of a meta-analysis. Circulation. 1998;98:2520–2526.
3. Van der Put NM, Steegers-Theunissen RP, Frosst P, Trijbels FJ, Eskes TK, Van den Heuvel LP, Mariman EC, Den Heyer M, Rozen R, Blom HJ. Mutated methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase as a risk factor for spina bifida. Lancet. 1995;346:1070–1071.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
4.
Bagley PJ, Selhub J. A common mutation in the
methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase
gene is associated with an accumulation of formylated tetrahydrofolates
in red blood cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 1998;95:13217–13220.
5. Verhoef P, Kok FJ, Kluijtmans LAJ, Blom HJ, Refsum H, Ueland PM, Kruyssen HACM. The C677T mutation in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene: associations with plasma total homocysteine levels and risk of coronary atherosclerotic disease. Atherosclerosis. 1997;132:105–113.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
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