Research Article

Correlation between MTHFR gene methylation and pre-eclampsia, and its clinical significance

Published: July 17, 2015
Genet. Mol. Res. 14 (3) : 8021-8028 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4238/2015.July.17.10
Cite this Article:
J. Ge, J. Wang, F. Zhang, B. Diao, Z.F. Song, L.L. Shan, W. Wang, H.J. Cao, X.Q. Li (2015). Correlation between MTHFR gene methylation and pre-eclampsia, and its clinical significance. Genet. Mol. Res. 14(3): 8021-8028. https://doi.org/10.4238/2015.July.17.10
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Abstract

We investigated the correlation between 5,10-methy­lenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene methylation and pre-eclampsia, and its clinical significance, by comparing methylation in the MTHFR gene promoter of the placenta and peripheral venous blood in pre-eclampsia and normal gravidas. We enrolled 259 gravidas from the People’s Liberation Army 202nd Hospital, China, between January 2011 and September 2011, including 127 pre-eclampsia and 132 nor­mal gravidas. Methylation levels of the MTHFR gene in placentas in two sets of gravidas were detected by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction, plasma homocysteine levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and folic acid and vitamin B12 levels were detected by electrochemiluminescence. The chi-square test re­sults were analyzed using the SPSS19.0 statistical software. In placen­tas, the methylation indices were 26.8% (34/127) and 15.2% (20/132) in the pre-eclampsia and normal groups, respectively (χ2 = 5.30, P < 0.05, odds ratio (OR) = 2.04, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 1.10-3.73). In peripheral venous blood, the methylation indices were 22.8% (29/127) and 12.1% (16/132) in pre-eclampsia and normal groups, re­spectively (χ2 = 5.17, P < 0.05, OR = 2.15, 95%CI = 1.11-4.15). The plasma methylation level of the pre-eclampsia group was consistent with the normal group. The plasma homocysteine level in the pre-ec­lampsia group was higher than in the normal group (P < 0.05). Levels of folic acid and vitamin B12 in the pre-eclampsia and normal groups were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Patients with pre-eclampsia have hypermethylation in the MTHFR gene promoter, which may be one of its causes.

We investigated the correlation between 5,10-methy­lenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene methylation and pre-eclampsia, and its clinical significance, by comparing methylation in the MTHFR gene promoter of the placenta and peripheral venous blood in pre-eclampsia and normal gravidas. We enrolled 259 gravidas from the People’s Liberation Army 202nd Hospital, China, between January 2011 and September 2011, including 127 pre-eclampsia and 132 nor­mal gravidas. Methylation levels of the MTHFR gene in placentas in two sets of gravidas were detected by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction, plasma homocysteine levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and folic acid and vitamin B12 levels were detected by electrochemiluminescence. The chi-square test re­sults were analyzed using the SPSS19.0 statistical software. In placen­tas, the methylation indices were 26.8% (34/127) and 15.2% (20/132) in the pre-eclampsia and normal groups, respectively (χ2 = 5.30, P < 0.05, odds ratio (OR) = 2.04, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 1.10-3.73). In peripheral venous blood, the methylation indices were 22.8% (29/127) and 12.1% (16/132) in pre-eclampsia and normal groups, re­spectively (χ2 = 5.17, P < 0.05, OR = 2.15, 95%CI = 1.11-4.15). The plasma methylation level of the pre-eclampsia group was consistent with the normal group. The plasma homocysteine level in the pre-ec­lampsia group was higher than in the normal group (P < 0.05). Levels of folic acid and vitamin B12 in the pre-eclampsia and normal groups were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Patients with pre-eclampsia have hypermethylation in the MTHFR gene promoter, which may be one of its causes.