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MTHFR (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase) C677T polymorphism and psoriasis

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Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate possible association of MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism (NM_005957) with psoriasis. Genotypes of MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism were determined in a sample of 654 Caucasian (Czech) subjects. Case group (n = 410) included patients with psoriasis (plaque psoriasis diagnosed in 285 patients, other subtypes of psoriasis were observed in 125 patients). Control group (n = 244) consisted of healthy subjects without individual history of psoriasis, with similar age and gender characteristics. The MTHFR C677T polymorphism genotypes were determined by a polymerase chain reaction and a subsequent restriction analysis with HinfI. The genotypes of C(677)T methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene polymorphism were determined in a sample of 654 Caucasian (Czech) subjects. We proved a significant difference in genotype distribution (P g = 0.03) and allelic frequency (P a = 0.02) between psoriatic and control subjects (Table 3). The CC (the thermostabile) genotype was significantly more frequent in psoriatic patients compared to controls [OR = 1.55, 95% confidential interval (CI) = 1.12–2.15, P = 0.004814, P corr = 0.01]. But, a significant increase of T allele in MTHFR gene was observed in patients with positive family history of diabetes (P a = 0.02) and in those with a frequent tonsillitis/tonsillectomy (P a = 0.04). No difference was observed between patients with and without positive family history of psoriasis (P a = 0.251). But, when psoriatic patients were described for FHDM, FH-Ps, and PH-T simultaneously, The highest incidence of CT + TT genotypes was calculated for psoriasis patients with positive history of psoriasis and diabetes mellitus together with personal history of repeated tonsillitis/tonsillectomy compared to patients without all these three phenotypes (odds ratio = 3.17, 95% CI 1.33–7.56, P corr = 0.04). In conclusion, MTHFR C677T polymorphism is marginally associated with psoriasis. The T allele (thermolabile) appears to be more frequent in psoriasis patients with positive history of psoriasis and diabetes mellitus together with personal history of repeated tonsillitis/tonsillectomy. This could reflect an inborn predisposition in complex regulation in one-carbon moieties transport in psoriatic patients and therefore, MTHFR genotype can be a part of genetic background of psoriasis.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest related to the publication of this manuscript.

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Correspondence to Vladimir Vasku.

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Vasku, V., Bienertova-Vasku, J., Necas, M. et al. MTHFR (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase) C677T polymorphism and psoriasis. Clin Exp Med 9, 327–331 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10238-009-0054-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10238-009-0054-0

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