Yean Jung Choi,1 So-Yeon Lee,2 Sung-Ok Kwon,3 Mi-Jin Kang,2 Ju-Hee Seo,4 Jisun Yoon,5 Hyun-Ju Cho,6 Sungsu Jung,7 Soo-Jong Hong2

1 Department of Food and Nutrition, Sahmyook University, Seoul, Korea
2 Department of Pediatrics, Childhood Asthma Atopy Center, Humidifier Disinfectant Health Center, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
3 Biomedical Research Institute, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Korea
4 Department of Pediatrics, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Korea
5 Department of Pediatrics, Chung-Ang University Gwang-Myeong Hospital, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
6 Department of Pediatrics, Catholic Kwandong University, International St. Mary’s Hospital, Incheon, Korea
7 Department of Pediatrics, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan, Korea

Abstract

Background: Studies investigating the genetic association of the C677T methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) genotype and dietary methyl donors with asthma and atopy are limited, and have variable results.
Objective: To investigate the effect of dietary methyl donor intake on the risk of childhood asthma and atopy, based on the C677T polymorphism in the MTHFR gene.
Methods: This cross-sectional study included 2,333 elementary school children aged 6–8 years across Korea during 2005 and 2006, as part of the first Children’s Health and Environmental Research survey. Genotyping for the MTHFR (rs1801133) polymorphism was performed using the TaqMan assay. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression analysis was performed to determine a descriptive association between the dietary methyl donor intake, MTHFR polymorphism, and childhood asthma and atopy.
Results: Intake of dietary methyl donors like folates was significantly associated with a decreased risk of the wheezing symptom, in the past 12 months, and “ever asthma” diagnosis, respectively. Vitamin B6 intake was also associated with a decreased atopy risk. The T allele of the MTHFR (rs1801133) gene was significantly associated with a decreased risk of atopy. Increased intakes of folate, vitamin B2, and vitamin B6 were protective factors against atopy, especially in children with the T allele on the MTHFR gene, compared to those with lower intakes and the CC genotype.
Conclusion: High intakes of dietary methyl donors were associated with reduced risk of atopy and asthma symptoms. These may have additive effects related to the susceptibility alleles of the MTHFR gene. The clinical implications require evaluation.
Key words: Asthma, Atopy, Folate, Methyl donors, MTHFR, Polymorphism