Abstract:
Objective To observe the efficacy of folic acid supplementation by giving different doses to patients with different genotypes of H-type hypertension, with the aim of achieving precision drug treatment for this condition.
Methods 197 patients with H-type hypertension treated in the Department of Cardiology of Anhui No. 2 Provincial People's Hospital between May 2020 and May 2022 were enrolled and tested for methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene C677T locus genotype, homocysteine (Hcy) and intima-media thickness(IMT). According to different genotypes, they were divided into the wild group (CC group, n = 29), heterozygous group (CT group, n = 74) and the mutant group (TT group, n = 94). All patients received appropriate antihypertensive drugs, either as monotherapy or combination therapy, based on their specific condition. The patients were randomly divided into group A (folic acid 0.4 mg/day) and group B (folic acid 0.8 mg/day). After 3 months, the therapeutic effects were observed among H-type hypertensive patients with different MTHFR C677T genotypes.
Results After 3 months of folic acid supplementation treatment, the levels of Hcy in patients with different folic acid doses of three genotypes were significantly lower than those before (P < 0.05). In patients with the CC and CT genotypes, there was no significant difference in Hcy levels between the 0.4 mg/d and 0.8 mg/d folic acid groups (P > 0.05), while in patients with the TT genotype, there was a statistically significant difference in Hcy levels between the 0.8 mg/d and the 0.4 mg/d folic acid groups (P < 0.01). Compared with the normal IMT group, the gene frequency of allele T at the MTHFR C677T locus was significantly higher in the abnormal IMT group (P < 0.01). Logistic stepwise regression analysis showed that there was a correlation between carotid atherosclerosis and MTHFR C677T gene mutation, with the logistic regression equation: LogitP = –2.662 + 0.050X1 + 1.092X2. Matant gene T and Hcy was risk factors for carotid atherosclerosis (P < 0.01).
Conclusions Folic acid supplementation is effective in patients with H-type hypertension. Patients with the MTHFR C677TCC or CT genotype may can take 0.4 mg/d of folic acid supplement treatment, while those with the TT genotype need 0.8 mg/d to have better clinical effect. Mutated genes T and Hcy are risk factors for carotid atherosclerosis, and can predict the severity of carotid plaque to some extent.