TITLE:
Polymorphisms in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene: Their impact on liver steatosis and fibrosis of chronic hepatitis c patients
AUTHORS:
Engin Altintas, Zuhal Mert Altintas, Orhan Sezgin, Enver Ucbilek, Erdinc Nayir, Mehmet Emin Erdal, Ayse Polat, Gulhan Orekeci
KEYWORDS:
Fibrosis; Hepatitis C; Gene Polymorphism; Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase; Steatosis
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Gastroenterology,
Vol.4 No.2,
February
14,
2014
ABSTRACT: Aim & Background: The
mechanism of steatosis in Hepatitis C virus infection is multifactorial;
therefore, it is complex and unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate
the effects of methylentetrahydrofolate reductase
(MTHFR) gene polymorphisms on the course of chronic hepatitis C virus
infection and the development of steatosis due to hepatitis C virus. Methods:
This study included 109 patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection.
Necroinflammatory activity, degrees of fibrosis and steatosis and MTHFR gene
polymorphisms were investigated. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction
fragment length polymorphism was used to determine MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms. Results: Fibrosis was correlated with age (r = 0.336, p = 0.002),
platelet (r = ?0.448, p was a relation between MTHFR C677T and the degree
of fibrosis but not A1298C (p = 0.014, p = 0.187 respectively). Conclusion:
We found that MTHFR C677T polymorphism contributed to the development of fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C
virus infection.