Plasma folic acid and polymorphisms of folic acid metabolism related genes among migrants and non-migrants in Changzhi city

  Objective  To investigate the content of plasma folic acid (FA) and the gene polymorphisms of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR C677T) and methionine synthase (MS A2756G) among migrants and non-migrants in Changzhi city of Shanxi province, and to provide evidences for further research.

  Methods  We recruited 80 migrants and 108 non-migrants without abnormal findings in gastroscopy examination at a hospital in Changzhi city from May 2014 to June 2015. Plasma FA was detected with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and MTHFR and MS gene polymorphisms were analyzed with polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) among the participants.

  Results  There was a significant difference in plasma FA level between the migrants and non-migrants (P = 0.006). Among the migrants, the plasma FA level differed significantly by gender, age, and whether drinking alcohol (P < 0.05 for all); while, among the non-migrants, FA level differed significantly by blood type (P < 0.05). There were significant differences in plasma FA levels between the migrants and non-migrants for the participants aged > 60 years, with the body mass index (BMI) of < 18.5 kg/m², non-smokers, and non-alcohol drinkers (P < 0.05 for all). The MTHFR and MS genotypes and allele frequencies were different significantly between the migrants and non-migrants (all P < 0.05).

  Conclusion  The plasma FA level is different between migrants and non-migrants and various subgroups of the two populations. The distribution of MTHFR and MS gene polymorphisms are also significantly different between the two population groups.