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Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T gene mutation as risk factor for sudden sensorineural hearing loss: association with plasma homocysteine, folate and cholesterol concentrations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 May 2010

E J Lee ,
Y J Cho  and
Y J Yoon
E J Lee*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Chonbuk National University School of Medicine, Jeon-ju, South Korea
Y J Cho
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Chonbuk National University School of Medicine, Jeon-ju, South Korea
Y J Yoon
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Chonbuk National University School of Medicine, Jeon-ju, South Korea
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Eun Jung Lee, Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Chonbuk National University School of Medicine, Kumam-dong, Dukjin-gu, Jeonju, South Korea. Fax: +82 63 250 1986 E-mail: imaima97@naver.com
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Abstract

Objective:

Impaired cochlear perfusion appears to be the most important event in the development of sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene mutations at nucleotide 677 cause reduced methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase enzyme activity, resulting in vascular impairment.

Methods:

Thirty-three patients and 68 control subjects underwent audiological and haematological investigation.

Results:

No statistically significant association was found between sudden sensorineural hearing loss and the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T gene mutation. Mean homocysteine and cholesterol concentrations were significantly higher in patients than in controls. Mean folate levels were significantly lower in patients than in controls. Amongst patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss, no significant differences in mean cholesterol, homocysteine or folate concentration were found, comparing patients with methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T mutation genotypes with those without.

Conclusion:

No statistically significant association was found between the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T gene mutation and sudden sensorineural hearing loss. There was a statistically significant difference between the homocysteine, folate and cholesterol concentrations of sudden sensorineural hearing loss patients, compared with controls. However, there was no statistically significant difference in these levels, comparing patients with and without the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T mutation.

Keywords

MTHFRSudden Hearing LossHomocysteineFolateCholesterol
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 124 , Issue 12 , December 2010 , pp. 1268 - 1273
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2010

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