The study of MTHFR gene polymorphism in depression

Objective:To investigate the relationship between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase(MTHFR C677T) gene polymorphism and depression.Method:A total of 94 patients with depressive disorder in study group and 98 normal health controls in control group were collected in this study.The serum levels of homocysteine were determined by fluorescence polarization immunoassay.Using polymerase chain reaction-extinction enzymes fragment length polymorphism analysis technology(MTHFR gene-RFLP)test C677T polymorphism.The 24-item Hamilton rating scale for depression(HAMD)was used to evaluate depressive symptoms.Results:The serum homocysteine 1evel was significantly higher in study group than that in control group[(16.72±3.94)μmol/L,(10.99±3.51) μmol/L;P0.05].The rate of hyperhomocysteinemia(HHcy)in study group was significantly higher than that in control group(41.5%,14.3%)(χ2=14.89,P0.05).The MTHFR genotype and the distribution of alleles are statistically significant differences in both group(P0.05).The plasma Hcy levels of TT genotype in study group were obviously higher than those of CT and CC genotype.That was TTCTCC,the difference was statistically significant.The total scores of HAMD in different genotypes of MTHFR had significant differences(P0.05).Compared to CT and CC,TT genotype had higher HAMD scores(P0.05).Conclusion:MTHFR gene polymorphism may affect the occurrence and severity of depression by influenting the Hcy concentration.