Pattern and correlates of Methylene tetrahydofolate reductase enzyme level in Nigerian women with pre-eclampsia

Abstract

The role of folate enzyme defects as possible modulators of plasma homocysteine level in pre-eclampsia is still a subject of study. This study, therefore, aim to describe a base line reference value for Methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase enzyme (MTHFR) levels in normotensive women and evaluate variations in the MTHFR activities in women diagnosed with pre-eclampsia (PE) in Lagos Nigeria. The study also determined some demographic and biochemical correlates of diminished MTHFR enzyme level in this category of women. The study included 200 pregnant women with clinical and laboratory evidence of PE (study group) and 200 apparently healthy pregnant women (control group). A pre-tested, interviewer-administered questionnaire and patient hospital records were used to obtain demographic data. The MTHFR enzyme level was determined using commercial ELISA kits by MyBiosource, Inc., San Diego, (USA). Serum homocysteine levels were determined by the Enzyme Immunoassay assay method (ELISA) using Axis® Homocysteine EIA kit by Shield Diagnostics Ltd., Scotland, United Kingdom. Full blood count was done using the automated hematology analyzers Sysmex XN-20 by Sysmex Corporation (Kobe, Japan). DNA extraction, PCR amplification and restriction digestion were done to obtain genomic MTHFR for restriction fragment length polymorphism of MTHFR C677T SNP and for methylation specific Polymorphism (MSP) analysis. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 25.0 software (Armonk, NY: IBM Corp., USA). Significant associations (p<0.05) were established between low MTHFR enzyme levels and some haematological variables (WBC, RDW, and MCV). Low MTHFR enzyme levels were also associated with folate, MTHFR 677TT, MTHFR gene methylation status, and serum homocysteine levels (p<0.05 respectively). MTHFR enzyme defect is a significant risk factor in preeclampsia among Nigerian women in Lagos.