Objective:
Increased level of plasma homocysteine (Hcy) is a potential risk factor for several multi-system diseases. The Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene C677T variant has been established as an important genetic determinant of hyperhomocysteinemia. There are conflicting reports about the effects of physical activity on plasma Hcy.
Therefore, the main aim of this study was to investigate whether the MTHFR C677T variant affects the elite athletic performance.
Methods:
This study was carried out on 214 individuals (114 elite athletes and 100 sedentary controls). Genotyping was
performed using PCR- RFLP method. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the
strength of association.
Results:
There was a significant difference between the athletes and the control group in genotype distribution and allele
frequency of the MTHFR C677T variant. MTHFR C677T CC genotype and C allele were more prevalent in elite athletes
than those in the sedentary controls (p =0.007, OR: 2.16, 95%:1.26-3.70; p=0.009, OR: 1.84, 95%:1.18-2.89, respectively).
The control group had a higher MTHFR C677T CT genotype than the athletes had (p=0.019, OR: 0.51, 95%:0.30-0.88).
There was no deviation from HWE for the MTHFR C677T variant in the groups.
Conclusion:
Our findings support that there is an association between the MTHFR C677T C allele and athletic performance
among the elite Turkish athletes.
48.3%, and 11.6% of control subjects and in 55.7%, 30.7% and 13.4% of elite athletes, respectively. There was not any statistically significant difference in genotype and allele frequencies of T-786C of the eNOS between the elite athlete and the control groups (p>0.05). Discussion: The present study demonstrated that the T-786C variant of the eNOS gene is not associated with study population but larger sample analyses are needed in different groups of elite athletes in order to substantiate these findings.
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