MTHFR C677T polymorphism is associated with hyperlipidemia in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

CONTEXT: Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are prone for coronary artery disease (CAD), and hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk factor for CAD. MTHFR deficiency is the most common cause of hyperhomocysteinemia, thereby provoking a possible association between PCOS and MTHFR C677T polymorphism. AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate an association of MTHFR C677T polymorphism with PCOS. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: 92 women with PCOS (Rotterdam criteria) and 95 age-matched controls were compared with respect to MTHFR C677T polymorphism. The 2 genotypes (CC and CT) obtained were compared with clinical and laboratory parameters in women with PCOS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a case-control study, clinical, biochemical, hormonal and genetic analysis (PCR-RFLP of peripheral leucocytes) was carried out on all women with PCOS as well as controls. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Student “t” test for quantitative and Chi-square test for nominal variables was used. For estimation of risk, odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were calculated. RESULTS: The odds ratio of bearing a heterozygous genotype (CT) was 1.32 in women with PCOS as compared to controls (P = 0.48). No homozygous mutation (TT) was found in the study population. Serum cholesterol was more in heterozygous (CT) genotype (215.48 ± 25.56 mg/dl) as compared to normal (CC) genotype (203.29 ± 16.35 mg/dl) in women with PCOS (P = 0.01). Similarly, serum triglyceride was more in heterozygous (CT) genotype (95.86 ± 37.34 mg/dl) as compared to normal (CC) genotype (82.36 ± 20.88 mg/dl) in women with PCOS (P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Although not statistically significant, there is a slightly higher prevalence of heterozygous (CT) genotype in women with PCOS. MTHFR C677T polymorphism when present may confer an increased susceptibility to develop hyperlipidemia in women with PCOS. More prospective studies are needed to confirm whether this hyperlipidemia due to MTHFR C677T polymorphism clinically manifests into CAD in long term in women with PCOS.