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Polymorphism in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (C677T) gene and homocysteine levels: a comparison in Brazilian patients with coronary arterial disease, ischemic stroke and peripheral arterial obstructive disease

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Abstract

This study aimed to compare plasma levels of total homocysteine (tHcy) in different arterial events as well as to investigate an association between homocysteine levels and C677T polymorphism in Brazilian patients. A total of 145 subjects were enrolled in this study including 43 patients with coronary arterial disease (CAD), 21 with ischemic stroke (IS), 44 with peripheral arterial obstructive disease (PAOD) and 37 control subjects. A preliminary analysis showed significant difference for tHcy plasma levels between patients with CAD (P = 0.003) or PAOD (P = 0.03) compared to controls. However, after adjustment for sex, age, total cholesterol, LDL, diabetes, tabagism or C677T polymorphism, no significant differences were detected in tHcy levels among patients groups and controls. No significant correlation was demonstrated for C677T polymorphism and homocysteine levels. These results indicate that increased Hcy levels may not be considered an independent risk factor for atherothrombotic diseases in Brazilian patients.

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Acknowledgements

We are very grateful to CNPq, FAPEMIG and CAPES for sponsoring this investigation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Av. Antonio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Brazil

    Adriano Sabino, Ana Paula Fernandes, Luciana Moreira Lima, Marinez Oliveira Sousa, Ana Paula Lucas Mota, Luci Maria Sant’Ana Dusse & Maria das Graças Carvalho

  2. Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil

    Daniel Dias Ribeiro

  3. Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Belo Horizonte, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil

    Maria Elizabeth Rennó de Castro Santos

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  1. Adriano Sabino
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  2. Ana Paula Fernandes
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  3. Luciana Moreira Lima
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  4. Daniel Dias Ribeiro
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  5. Marinez Oliveira Sousa
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  6. Maria Elizabeth Rennó de Castro Santos
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  8. Luci Maria Sant’Ana Dusse
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  9. Maria das Graças Carvalho
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Correspondence to Maria das Graças Carvalho.

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Sabino, A., Fernandes, A.P., Lima, L.M. et al. Polymorphism in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (C677T) gene and homocysteine levels: a comparison in Brazilian patients with coronary arterial disease, ischemic stroke and peripheral arterial obstructive disease. J Thromb Thrombolysis 27, 82–87 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11239-007-0172-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11239-007-0172-z

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