International Journal of Epidemiology 2003;32:64-66
© International Epidemiological Association 2003
Special Theme: Genetic Epidemiology |
Relation of plasma folate and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T polymorphism to colorectal adenomas
1 Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
2 Department of Internal Medicine, Fukuoka University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan.
3 Self Defense Forces Fukuoka Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan.
4 Self Defense Forces Kumamoto Hospital, Kumamoto, Japan.
Correspondence: Tomomi Marugame, Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3–1–1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan. E-mail: marugame{at}phealth.med.kyushu-u.ac.jp
Background Folate intake may be related to decreased risk of colorectal cancer and adenomas. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a key regulatory enzyme in folate metabolism. We examined the relation between plasma folate status and colorectal adenomas with reference to effect modification by the genetic polymorphism (C677T) of MTHFR.
Methods Study subjects were middle-aged Japanese men: 177 cases of colorectal adenomas and 192 controls with normal total colonoscopy. Statistical adjustment was made for hospital, rank in the Self Defense Forces, alcohol use, smoking, and body mass index.
Results Plasma folate levels were slightly lower in adenoma cases than in controls. Adjusted odds ratio (OR) for high (>5.50 ng/ml) versus low plasma folate levels was 0.72 (95% CI: 0.46–1.14). As compared with subjects with the CC or CT genotype having low plasma folate levels, those with the TT genotype showed a decreased risk of colorectal adenomas when they had high levels of plasma folate (adjusted OR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.21–1.61), and an increased risk when they had low folate levels (adjusted OR = 2.13, 95% CI: 0.82–5.54). There was no clear relation between plasma folate and colorectal adenomas among those with the CC or CT genotype.
Conclusions The findings suggest an interaction between folate and the MTHFR genotype on colorectal adenomas.
Keywords Plasma folate, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, genetic polymorphism, colorectal adenomas
Accepted 24 June 2002
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