C677t polymorphism of MTHFR and G80A polymorphism of RFC genes and their relation with homocysteine levels in obese Tunisian children.

AIMS

To investigate the frequencies of C677T polymorphism in MTHFR gene and G80A polymorphism in RFC gene in obese and no obese Tunisian children and to assess their relation with homocysteine (tHcy), folate and vitamin B12 levels.

METHODS

We have studied 31 obese compared to 22 no obese children. tHcy was assessed by fluorescence-immunoassay ; folate and vitamin B12 by radioimmunoassay. C677T and G80A mutations were detected using pyrosequencing.

RESULTS

There were no differences in tHcy levels between obese and no obese, (10,34 ± 4,86μmoll/l vs11,00 ± 4,26μmoll/l). We found no difference for the allelic frequencies of the C677T polymorphism (29.03 % vs 30.95 %) and of the G80A polymorphism (64.52 % vs 59.52 %). Mean levels of tHcy, folic acid and vitamin B12 were not significantly different according to MTHFR and RFC genotypes.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrated no difference in tHcy, folates, vitamin B12 levels and allelic frequencies of C677T and G80A polymorphisms in MTHFR and RFC genes between obese and no obese Tunisian children. These two polymorphisms don't seem to have any impact on homocysteine, folate and vitamin B12 status in the two populations.