Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene A1298C polymorphism and gene-environment interactions are associated with carotid plaque in a south Chinese population.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE:Our primary objective was to evaluate the associations of conventional risk factors and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene polymorphisms with the risk of carotid plaque in a south Chinese population. Our secondary objective was to explore gene-environment interactions and potential relationship with carotid plaque. METHOD:We enrolled 229 patients suffer from carotid plaque and 180 controls in this case-control study. We measured the carotid intima-media thickness by ultrasound and investigated conventional risk factors, biomarkers and C677T/A1298C MTHFR genotypes. Logistic analysis was used to evaluate the association between conventional risk factors and carotid plaque. The SNPstats platform was used to investigate the association between MTHFR gene polymorphisms and carotid plaque under 5 genetic models (dominant, recessive, codominant, over dominant and additive models). Gene-environment interactions analysis was then performed by multifactor dimensionality reduction. RESULTS:Age and hypertension were identified as independent risk factors of carotid plaque. C677T and A1298C demonstrated associations with carotid plaque under the recessive model (C677T: P = 0.03, odds ratio = 3.14, 95% confidence interval = 1.04-11.21; A1298C: P = 0.018, odds ratio = 2.40, 95% confidence interval = 1.13-5.10). Neither C677T nor A1298C polymorphism was associated with stable or vulnerable plaques. Additionally, Significant multiplicative and additive interactions were observed in terms of carotid plaque between A1298C polymorphism and diabetes, age, and smoking (P = 0.013). CONCLUSION:MTHFR gene C677T and A1298C polymorphisms may act as modifiers of carotid plaque risk in south Chinese population. In addition, the combined effect of gene-environment interactions between A1298C polymorphism and conventional risk factors may promote the progression of carotid plaque.

SUBMITTER: Zhou F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6965971 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature