Assessment of MTHFR gene promoter methylation pattern in essential hypertensive patients

Background and Aim: Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a major enzyme in the metabolism of homocysteine. Hyperhomocysteinemia is associated with essential hypertension. This study aimed to investigate the possible association of MTHFR gene promoter methylation with the development of essential hypertension. Methods: ۲۰ confirmed hypertensive patients and ۲۰ healthy matched controls were selected from Shaheed Mohammadi Hospital, Hormozgan University of medical sciences, Iran. DNA methylation levels of ۱۰ CpG dinucleotides on MTHFR gene promoter were measured using bisulfite sequencing method.Results: Our results show no significant differences in the methylation profile of the promoter region of MTHFR gene between patients and control group. Also MTHFR gene promoter methylation in male and female patients show the same pattern.Conclusion: Our results indicate that methylation status of MTHFR gene promoter had no significant association with primary hypertension.

Keywords:

Essential hypertension , MTHFR , promoter methylation , CpG Islands