Background & Aims: Brain infractions with Ischemic strokes are the most common and important causes of death in human communities. Studying genetic factors as prognostic factors has an important role in the control and reduction of irreversible ischemic brain damages. This study aimed to investigate methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene mutation with a frequency greater than expected and its impact on the increased risk of oxidative stress in East Azarbaijan Province.

Materials & Methods: 50 normal individuals without a history of ischemic strokes and 50 patients with diagnosis of cerebral ischemic stroke with specific clinical indicators were randomly selected and entered the study. Total DNA extracted from peripheral blood and polymerase chain reaction was used to examine two common mutations in this gene.

Results: A comparison of various genotypes involved in the control and patient group indicated that the presence of homozygote T allele of the C677T in the patient group was higher than the control group, but there was no significant difference between two groups (P>0.05). Also C677T and A1298C heterozygous mutations in both the cis and trans in people with ischemic strokes were significantly higher than the control group (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Since the prevalence of this genetic polymorphism in different populations around the world is different and the role of risk factors changes for ischemic strokes, it is necessary to investigate the prevalence of this polymorphism in East Azarbaijan province.

SOURCE: URMIA MED J 2012: 23(3): 348 ISSN: 1027-3727