ABSTRACT
Plasmatic homocysteine concentration depends mostly on 5,10 methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphisms, a key enzyme in folate metabolism. The most common point mutation C677T is associated to cardiovascular and neurological pathologies; its ethnic repartition is quite heterogenic. In the present study, we proposed to describe the genotypic and allelic frequencies of C677T polymorphism and its influence on plasmatic homocysteine level in a healthy Algerian population. The investigation was turned on 100 apparently healthy voluntary subjects. Homocysteine concentration was determined using an immunoassay by fluorescence polarisation on IMx. Genotypes were determined by RT-PCR (Light cycle 480). Mean homocysteine concentration value was 14,69 +/- 7,30 micromol/L. 41% of people sample show a moderate hyperhomocysteinemia (>15 micromol/L). For the MTHFR C677T, estimated frequency of the allele T in the 100 people sample was about 35,5% with genotypic frequency of 6%. Plasmatic homocysteine is significantly higher in people carrying allele T: (CC vs CT: 11,8 +/- 2,97 micromol/L vs 15,47 +/- 6,74 micromol/L, p = 0,0004); (CC vs TT: 11,8 +/- 2,97 micromol/L vs 30,05 +/- 13,35 micromol/L, p = 0,01) and (CT vs TT: 15,47 +/- 6,74 micromol/L vs 30,05 +/- 13,35 micromol/L, p = 0,021). Our study shows an intermediate allelic frequency that joins the North-South world gradient and a high hyperhomocysteinemia prevalence. C677T polymorphism of MTHFR seems playing a predominant role in the moderate hyperhomocyteinemia. These two observations should be taken into consideration in the evaluation of morbid and/or lethal pathologies predisposition in the Algerian population.
