The effects of vitamin supplementation and MTHFR (C677T) genotype on homocysteine-lowering and migraine disability


Autoria(s): Lea, Rod A.; Colson, Natalie; Quinlan, Sharon; Macmillan, John; Griffiths, Lyn R.
Data(s)

2009

Resumo

BACKGROUND: Migraine is a prevalent and debilitating disease that may, in part, arise because of disruption in neurovascular endothelia caused by elevated homocysteine. This study examined the homocysteine-lowering effects of vitamin supplementation on migraine disability, frequency and severity and whether MTHFRC677T genotype influenced treatment response. METHODS: This was a randomized, double-blind placebo, controlled trial of 6 months of daily vitamin supplementation (i.e. 2 mg of folic acid, 25 mg vitamin B6, and 400 microg of vitamin B12) in 52 patients diagnosed with migraine with aura. FINDINGS: Vitamin supplementation reduced homocysteine by 39% (approximately 4 mumol/l) compared with baseline, a reduction that was greater then placebo (P=0.001). Vitamin supplementation also reduced the prevalence of migraine disability from 60% at baseline to 30% after 6 months (P=0.01), whereas no reduction was observed for the placebo group (P>0.1). Headache frequency and pain severity were also reduced (P<0.05), whereas there was no reduction in the placebo group (P>0.1). In this patient group the treatment effect on both homocysteine levels and migraine disability was associated with MTHFRC677T genotype whereby carriers of the C allele experienced a greater response compared with TT genotypes (P<0.05). INTERPRETATION: This study provides some early evidence that lowering homocysteine through vitamin supplementation reduces migraine disability in a subgroup of patients. Larger trials are now warranted to establish whether vitamin therapy is a safe, inexpensive and effective prophylactic option for treatment of migraine and whether efficacy is dependant on MTHFRC677T genotype.

Identificador

http://eprints.qut.edu.au/62649/

Publicador

Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Relação

DOI:10.1097/FPC.0b013e32832af5a3

Lea, Rod A., Colson, Natalie, Quinlan, Sharon, Macmillan, John, & Griffiths, Lyn R. (2009) The effects of vitamin supplementation and MTHFR (C677T) genotype on homocysteine-lowering and migraine disability. Pharmacogenetics and Genomics, 19(6), pp. 422-428.

Direitos

Copyright 2009 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Fonte

Faculty of Health; Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation

Tipo

Journal Article