Polymorphism of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T gene with chronic allograft nephropathy in renal transplant recipients.

Objectives: This study sought to investigate the frequency of the 5, 10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene (MTHFR C677T) in 127 patients (77 with chronic allograft nephropathy and 50 with normal renal function) who had undergone a renal transplant at least 20 months earlier to define the risk factors for chronic allograft dysfunction. Fifty healthy subjects served as controls.

Materials And Methods: Genotypes were determined using polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. The restriction enzyme for the MTHFR C677T variants was HinfI.

Results: No statistically significant differences were seen between the allelic and genotypic distribution of the MTHFR polymorphism.

Conclusions: Additional studies with larger sample sizes are needed to define the influence of MTHFR C677T genotyping on clinical outcomes in renal allograft recipients.