Affiliations: Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Celal
Bayar University, Manisa, Turkey | Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Celal
Bayar University, Manisa, Turkey
Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine serum vitamin B12, folic acid
and homocysteine (Hcy) levels as well as MTHFR (C677, A1298C) gene
polymorphisms in patients with vitiligo, and to compare the results with
healthy controls. Forty patients with vitiligo and 40 age and sex matched
healthy subjects were studied. Serum vitamin B12 and folate levels were
determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Plasma Hcy levels and MTHFR
polymorphisms were determined by chemiluminescence and real time PCR methods,
respectively. Mean serum vitamin B12 and Hcy levels were not significantly
different while folic acid levels were significantly lower in the control
group. There was no significant relationship between disease activity and
vitamin B12, folic acid and homocystein levels. No significant difference in
C677T gene polymorphism was detected. Heterozygote A1298C gene polymorphism in
the patient group was statistically higher than the control group. There was no
significant relationship between MTHFR gene polymorphisms and vitamin B12,
folic acid and homocysteine levels. In conclusion, vitamin B12, folate and Hcy
levels are not altered in vitiligo and MTHFR gene mutations (C677T and A1298C)
do not seem to create susceptibility for vitiligo.
