Study of methionine synthase (MTR) gene polymorphisms in personnel exposed to trace quantities of anesthetic gases in operation theatres

Background: Nitrous oxide irreversibly oxidizes the cobalt atom of vitamin B12, inactivating it which is a co-factor for methionine synthase. Methionine is an essential aminoacid that serves as a methyl donor (via its activated from s-adenosyl methionine) in hundreds of biological reactions. Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate Methionine Synthase (MTR) gene polymorphism in persons who are exposed to trace quantities of anaesthetic gases in operation theatres. Materials and methods: 87 cases of physical status American society of anaesthesiologists (ASA) I and II exposed to anaesthetic gases in operation theaters at Gandhi Hospital and Osmania General Hospital, Hyderabad were selected for study. Also 150 controls who were not exposed to anesthetic gases were selected at random to compare with the data generated on the subjects exposed to these gases. Results: This study entitled study of methionine “synthase (MTR) gene polymorphisms in personnel exposed to trace quantities of anaesthetic gases in operation theatres” was conducted on 87 exposed and 150 non exposed subjects. The objective was to evaluate the effect of Nitrous Oxide on Methionine Synthase (MTR) gene polymorphisms. No statistically significant difference was observed in the distribution of genotypes between the two groups. Conclusion: The result of the study suggest that large studies would be required to provide statistical power and recommends that examination should be done on large populations to assure at better conclusions.