Background: Significant interest in homocysteine exists due to its established role in embryogenesis, cardiovascular disease and neurotoxicity. This research investigates total plasma homocysteine in the context of carcinogenesis among healthy individuals aged 20 to 50 years. It is hypothesized that during this timeframe, elevated total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) concentration implicates a breakdown of the methionine-homocyteine biosynthesis pathway, in which folate deficiency, oxidative stress and altered DNA methylation capacity are potential consequences relevant to cancer etiology.
Purpose: The overall purpose of this research is to identify novel genetic predispositions to a biomarker of cancer risk (tHcy). Interactions with dietary and genetic factors that act on this pathway are explored.
Methods: The study population consisted of 284 healthy male and female volunteers recruited in Kingston, Ontario and Halifax, Nova Scotia between 2006 and 2008. Specifically, polymorphisms under consideration included: i) the thymidylate synthase enhancer region (TSER) tandem repeat polymorphism and ii) the GC single nucleotide polymorphism (G/C SNP) both found on the 5’untranslated region (UTR) of the TS gene, and iii) the 6 base pair deletion at base pair 1494 (TS1494del6) found on the 3’UTR. TS polymorphisms were categorized based on either 5’ or 3’ location and were dichotomized to either high or low TS expression. Gene-gene interactions between polymorphisms in TS and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR C677T) on tHcy concentration were also analyzed. In addition, gene-diet interactions between serum folate and vitamin B12 status were examined.
Results: Mean tHcy concentration for this study population was 8.65 µmol/L (standard deviation=1.96 µmol/L). After adjustment for confounders, higher mean tHcy levels of 0.48 μmol/L and 0.46 μmol/L were observed for the main effects of 5’polymorphisms (5’High) (p=0.04) and 3’polymorphism (3’High) (p=0.05), respectively. The largest difference in mean tHcy concentration was observed for the joint effects of TS polymorphisms (µ=0.74 μmol/L, p=0.11). Gene-gene interaction was observed between TS and MTHFR polymorphisms on tHcy concentrations (p<0.01).
Conclusions: The findings of this research provide evidence of an association between TS polymorphisms and tHcy concentrations. These results suggest that TS polymorphisms, independent of dietary factors, may lead to elevated tHcy levels and potentially contribute to cancer development. / Thesis (Master, Community Health & Epidemiology) -- Queen's University, 2008-08-21 16:05:02.797
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:OKQ.1974/1363 |
| Date | 22 August 2008 |
| Creators | Ho, Vikki |
| Contributors | Queen's University (Kingston, Ont.). Theses (Queen's University (Kingston, Ont.)) |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 810951 bytes, application/pdf |
| Rights | This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner. |
| Relation | Canadian theses |
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