Association of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase A1298C polymorphism but not of C677T with multiple sclerosis in Tunisian patients.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVE

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease characterized by central nervous system (CNS) inflammation and demyelination of nerve axons. The aim of this study was to investigate a possible association between the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene and multiple sclerosis in Tunisian patients.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

The genotyping of two missense variants of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene, C677T and A1298C was performed in 80 multiple sclerosis patients and 200 healthy controls.

RESULTS

No significant differences were found in the frequency of the MTHFR C677T polymorphism between MS patients and healthy controls. However, the genotype prevalence of the missense variant MTHFR A1298C was significantly different between patients and controls (A/C: 55% versus 7%, p<10(-3); C/C: 13.75% versus 0%, p<10(-3), respectively).

CONCLUSION

Although our preliminary findings suggest no association between the MTHFR C677T variants and MS, there is evidence to suggest a significant association between the MTHFR A1298C polymorphisms and MS.