The aim of the current study was to investigate the possible correlation between the C677T methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphism and venous thromboembolism (VTE) in a population-based case-control study. Homocysteine (Hcy) was quantified by Abbott IMx immunoassay; screening for C677T MTHFR substitution was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction analysis. The results from the two groups (440 patients and 440 controls) revealed that the frequency of T alleles and TT carriers was significantly higher in patients compared with that of the healthy controls. The plasma levels of Hcy in the VTE group (13.05±2.37 µmol/l) were significantly higher compared with those in the control group (11.94±2.03 µmol/l, P<0.001). The C677T MTHFR polymorphism is suggested to be associated with the risk for VTE. Plasma levels of Hcy were raised in individuals with the homozygous MTHFR 677TT genotype. In conclusion, the results of the current study suggest that hyperhomocysteinemia and the homozygous 677TT MTHFR genotype are risk factors for VTE.
Keywords: methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase; polymorphism; venous thromboembolism.