Retrospective cohort study of the MTHFR C677T/A1298C polymorphisms and human homocysteine levels in Helicobacter pylori infection.

This study avalited relationship between human Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene (C677T(rs1801133)/A1298C(rs1801131)) variants and homocysteine levels in 168 patients who are infected with Helicobacter pylori, diagnosed to PCR analysis. PCR-RFLP methods were performed to characterize the MTHFR gene C677T/A1298C variants in DNA samples obtained from gastric biopsies this patients. An immunoenzymatically assay was used for quantitative of total homocysteine and folate levels in the plasma of the same individuals. The adopted level statistical significance was to α = 0.05. The frequency of the C677T SNP was higher in infected individuals, wherein those with the CT/TT genotype presented a three-fold higher risk of acquiring Helicobacter pylori infection. The averages of the total homocysteine concentrations were associated with the TT genotype, advanced age and the male sex, but no dependence relationship was found with Helicobacter pylori infection.