ABSTRACT

Objective:

Stroke, following heart disease and cancer, is the third most common cause of mortality and is the most common cause of morbidity in the world. The enzyme methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) plays a critical role in modulating the levels of plasma homocysteine. Hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor for stroke. The polymorphysm in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene C677T results in reduced enzyme activity. This study was performed to observe the rate of MTHFR C677T genetic polymorphysm and its effect to hyperhomocysteinemia as a risk factor.

Material and Methods:

In this study, 40 stroke patients and 38 control subjects without any history of stroke were assessed. DNA was extracted from preripheral blood samples of the patients and controls. C677T genotype and allels in the MTHFR gene were identified in Light Cycle (LC) device by Real Time (RT) Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) methods.

Results:

In control and study groups MTHFR C677T (63.15% CC, 34.21% CT, 2.63% TT) (35% CC, 52.5% CT, 12.5% TT) genotypes were analyzed respectively and statistically significant difference was observed.

Conclusion:

MTHFR C677T polymorphism was a risk factor for in stroke patients. We thought to extend our study by increasing the size and adding the homocysteine measurements for better results.