DNA polymorphism of the lipoprotein lipase gene and of the apolipoproteins AI, CIII, AIV genes cluster in Egyptian cad patients and in healthy control subjects

Coronary artery disease [CAD] is a major cause of mortality in Egypt. CAD is a multifactorial disorder with both environmental and genetic factors involved in its aetiology and pathogenesis. Dyslipidaemias are among the major risk factors for CAD. Lipoprotein lipase [LPL] gene an apolipoprotein AI-CIII-AIV genes cluster are among the main candidate genes involved in lipid metabolism. The aim of the present study is to determine and detect the frequencies of common DNA polymorphisms of LPL gene and apo AI-CIII-AIV gene cluster in Egyptian CAD patients and healthy control subjects. The study sample included 121 Egyptian male CAD patients and 101 male controls. Mutations and polymorphisms that were previously found to be common in European or Asian populations were chosen to be examined in the current study. These included D9N, N291S, S447X, and Hindlll restriction fragment length polymorphism [RFLP] for LPL gene. Those for the apolipoprotein AI-CIII-AIV genes cluster were: Xmnl RFLP, Al promoter 75G>A, Mspl RFLP, and Pstl RFLP for apo al, Sstl RFLP for apo CIII, and T347S For apo AVI. The N291S and the homozygous pattern of the rare allele of S447X reported in other ethnic groups were not detected in the studied groups. The frequencies of other mutations and polymorphism were reported. Some of these frequencies are comparable with other reported frequencies in the literatures of other ethnic groups. However, there were no statistical significant difference between the CAD patients and the normal males. Failure of the present study to detect significant association between the different polymorphic sites and CAD reflects the complexity of the disease where other environmental and genetic factors may be involved

Some biochemical aspects of recurrent urinary stone formers

Forty one male recurrent stone former patients were studied. The biochemical data studied included: serum calcium, serum inorganic phosphorus, daily urinary calcium and phosphate excretion, tubular reabsorption of phosphate [TRP] and phosphate excretion index [PBI]. The study showed that a good percentage of patients suffered from hypercalcemia, hypophosphatemia hypercalciuria, hyperphosphaturia diminished TRP and increased PEL. Results are discussed and an evaluation of parathyroid function among the recurrent stone formers is tried

Lipoprotein-cholesterol and serum triglycerides in athletics

Serum total cholesterol and its distribution in high density lipoprotein [HDL], very low density lipoprotein [VLDL] and low density lipoprotein [LDL] as well as fasting serum triglycerides [TG], were studied in 29 physically active middle aged men [athletics]. Twenty non-athletic controls of matched age and sex, living a sedentary life were also investigated. The physically active athletes showed non-significant decrease in serum total cholesterol and serum TG. Significant changes were observed in the cholesterol content of the various lipoprotein fractions in the form of significant increase in high density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C], significant decrease of very low density lipoprotein cholesterol [VLDL-C] and low density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C] with significant lowering of the calculated ratios of total cholesterol/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C. The underlying mechanisms for all these metabolic changes were discussed. A strong positive correlation was found between serum TG level and VLDL-C in both groups. Physical exercises performed regularly and continuously can probably protect against atherosclerosis through its effect on serum HDL-C, VLDL-C, LDL-C and TG levels

Platelet phospholipids in obesity

Platelet total phospholipids and phospholipid fractions utilizing thin layer chromatography [TLC] were studied in twelve obese subjects and compared with eleven healthy controls. The study revealed significant increase in the platelet total lipid phosphorus in the obese group, together with significant increase in the absolute and relative values of phosphatidyl ethanolamine. Phosphatidyl serine showed slight increase, while lysophosphatidyl choline showed slight decrease. Results were discussed and full explanations were stated

Study of effects of insulin on haemostatic system in obese and control subjects

The haemostatic effect of intravenous insulin administration was investigated in obese and control subjects. A hypercoagulability state was elucidated by enhancement of thromboplastin generation and increase of platelet adhesiveness. Stimulation of catecholamine release is supposed to be an underlying factor. An associated enhancement of fibrinolysis was observed and was less marked in obese than control subjects. Such findings point to paradoxical effects of insulin on the haemostatic parameters