Association of MTHFR polymorphism, folic acid and vitamin B12 with serum homocysteine levels in pregnant women

Authors

  • Ana Bošković Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Clinical Hospital Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina https://orcid.org/0009-0006-0730-712X
  • Ana Ćuk Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, University Clinical Hospital Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3336-6300
  • Vedrana Mandrapa Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Clinical Hospital Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina https://orcid.org/0009-0007-7180-0610
  • Ana Dugandžić Šimić Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Clinical Hospital Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7006-4227
  • Ivona Cvetković Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, University Clinical Hospital Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8012-7236
  • Martina Orlović Vlaho Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Clinical Hospital Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Faculty of Health Studies, University Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Faculty of Medicine, University Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5337-0780
  • Tanja Krešić Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Clinical Hospital Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5520-9707
  • Tanja Tomić Faculty of Health Studies, University Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina https://orcid.org/0009-0009-1077-9701
  • Vajdana Tomić Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Clinical Hospital Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Faculty of Health Studies, University Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Faculty of Medicine, University Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0469-7840

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17305/bb.2023.9260

Keywords:

MTHFR polymorphism, folic acid, vitamin B12, homocisteine, pregnancy

Abstract

Homocysteine is known to be associated with adverse vascular and metabolic effects, as well as pregnancy complications. Its serum levels are influenced by the function of the enzyme methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and the dietary intake of folic acid, vitamin B12, and methionine. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated the association of genetic polymorphisms of the MTHFR gene with vitamin status in pregnant women during mandatory folic acid supplementation. The study included 102 pregnant women between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation who were attending regular outpatient examinations at the maternity clinic. Homocysteine, folic acid, vitamin B12 levels, and MTHFR gene polymorphisms (C677T and A1298C) were analyzed. Significant associations were found between vitamin B12 and folic acid levels with homocysteine (P < 0.001), with lower serum levels of these vitamins being associated with higher homocysteine levels. Surprisingly, there was no significant association between MTHFR genetic polymorphisms and serum homocysteine levels, likely attributed to the supplementation of folic acid and vitamin B12 in vitamin supplements for pregnant women, which counteracts the effect of the mutation. Remarkably, a high prevalence of MTHFR gene mutations was found, with the C677T polymorphism present in 56.9% and the A1298C polymorphism in 87.2% of pregnant women. These findings emphasize the importance of adequate folic acid and vitamin B12 intake during pregnancy to regulate homocysteine levels. Although the MTHFR gene mutations were highly prevalent, their influence on homocysteine levels in this population appears to be mitigated by vitamin supplementation. Further research is warranted to explore the impact of these mutations on other aspects of pregnancy outcomes. The trial is registrated at Clinicaltrail.gov (NCT04952324).

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Association of MTHFR polymorphism, folic acid and vitamin B12 with serum homocysteine levels in pregnant women

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Published

03-01-2024

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Translational and Clinical Research

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How to Cite

1.
Association of MTHFR polymorphism, folic acid and vitamin B12 with serum homocysteine levels in pregnant women. Biomol Biomed [Internet]. 2024 Jan. 3 [cited 2024 Dec. 5];24(1):138–143. Available from: https://bjbms.org/ojs/index.php/bjbms/article/view/9260