Investigation of MTHFR C677T Gene Polymorphism, Biochemical and Clinical Parameters in Turkish Migraine Patients: Association with Allodynia and Fatigue

Abstract

We investigated whether there is any relationship between biochemical and clinical parameters of migraine and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene C677T polymorphism, associated with the migraine subtypes, symptoms, and gender. A total of 150 migraine patients with and without aura (MA and MO) and 107 non-sufferers were included in the study. Biochemical and clinical parameters were measured and genetic analysis was performed. The MTFHR C677T genotype was significantly higher in the migraine group (p = 0.000). The CT genotype frequency of individuals with a family history of migraine was significantly higher (p = 0.025). This genotype frequency was higher in patients who suffer from compression, allodynia, fatigue, and sleeplessness (p = 0.027, 0.023, 0.006, and 0.05, respectively). Homocysteine and total cholesterol levels were significantly higher in the migraine group than the control group (p = 0.007 and 0.010, respectively). However, the other biochemical and clinical parameters did not differ from each other (p > 0.05), with only attack frequency being significantly higher in the MO group (p = 0.005). While the folate and HDL levels were significantly higher in females (p = 0.001 and 0.000, respectively), the homocysteine and triglyceride levels were significantly higher in males (p = 0.000 for each one). BMIs were significantly lower in the control than the migraine group (p = 0.021); however, an association between the C677T variant and BMI was not found (p = 0.787) in the migraine group. An association between the MTHFR C667T polymorphism and migraine susceptibility was found. Additional studies including genetic, clinic, and biochemical parameters should be conducted to better understand the disease.

Are Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (<i>MTHFR</i>) Gene Polymorphisms C677T and A1298C Associated with Higher Risk of Pediatric Migraine in Boys and Girls?

“…29 patients out of 56 had migraine with aura and 27 had migraine without aura. Several studies have shown a significantly higher frequency for migraine without aura, which makes up ~70% of all migraine cases [6] [17] [37]. These findings were not in accordance with our findings in the Estonian pediatric migraine population; the frequency of both subtypes was almost the same.…”

“…This disorder is classified in two subtypes: migraine with aura (MA) and without aura (MO) [5]. MA comprises nearly 25% of all migraine cases in overall migraine population [6]. It is described by a disturbance of motor and visual activities that lasts 20 to 30 minutes before the migraine attack [7].…”

“…It is described by a disturbance of motor and visual activities that lasts 20 to 30 minutes before the migraine attack [7]. MO makes up ~70% of all migraine cases [6] and its clinical features differ between adults and children [8]. Migraine, particularly MA, is associated with a higher risk of ischemic stroke (IS) in young women [9] [10].…”

A systematic review of the association between fatigue and genetic polymorphisms

“…The studies were published from 2003 to 2015, including six case-control studies (Bahadir et al, 2013; Helbig et al, 2003; McLaren et al, 2008; Piraino et al, 2012; Utge et al, 2010), five cohort studies (Allen et al, 2008; Bull et al, 2009; Lotrich et al, 2010; Scotet et al, 2005; Udina et al, 2013), three cross-sectional studies (Maluchenko et al, 2009; Ragnarsson et al, 2014; Vazquez-Rey et al, 2005), two longitudinal studies (Lee et al, 2014; Sundstrom et al, 2007) and two clinical trials (Becker et al, 2015; van der Deure et al, 2008). Sample sizes ranged from 33 to 31,192.…”

“…The genes under investigations from these studies can be grouped into 3 categories: neurotransmitter systems and HPA axis (five studies) (Bahadir et al, 2013; Bull et al, 2009; Maluchenko et al, 2009; Ragnarsson et al, 2014; Utge et al, 2010), inflammation (six studies) (Becker et al, 2015; Helbig et al, 2003; Lee et al, 2014; Lotrich et al, 2010; Piraino et al, 2012; Udina et al, 2013) and other mechanisms (seven studies) (Allen et al, 2008; Dlugos et al, 2010; McLaren et al, 2008; Scotet et al, 2005; Sundstrom et al, 2007; van der Deure et al, 2008; Vazquez-Rey et al, 2005). …”