Objective: Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is an important factor responsible for hyperhomocysteinemia. The relation of MTHFR gene C677T polymorphism and premature coronary heart disease was studied.
Methods: MTHFR C677T genetic polymorphisms in 67 patients with premature coronary heart disease were detected by PCR-RFLP technique.
Results: In case group, the frequency of T homogenic type was 34.3% (23/67), heterogenic type 43.3% (29/67) and C homogenic type 22.4% (15/67). T allele frequency was 55.9% (75/134) while C allele frequency 44.1% (59/134) in case group. There were significant differences in MTHFR genotype and allele frequencies between cases and controls (chi 2 = 6.82 and 5.41 respectively, P < 0.05).
Conclusions: It was suggested that MTHFR gene C677T mutation was a possible risk factor of Chinese premature coronary heart disease.