[Medullary thyroid cancer screening using the RET proto oncogene genetic marker]

Thyroid carcinoma including into four types papillary, follicular, medullary, and anaplastic is the most common endocrine malignancy. Medullary thyroid carcinoma [MTC] is one of the most aggressive forms of thyroid cancer and it accounts for up to 10% of all types of this disease. The mode of inheritance of MTC is autosomal dominant and is closely related to mutations of gain of function [missense mutations] in the RET proto-oncogene, well known in MTC development. MTC occurs as hereditary [25%] and sporadic [75%] forms. Hereditary MTC also has two syndromic [multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A, B; MEN2A, MEN2B] and non-syndromic [Familial MTC, FMTC] types. Increasing advances in molecular biology, genomics, and proteomics have led to personalized therapeutic interventions. Over the last two decades, the genetic basis of tumorgenesis has provided useful screening tools for affected families. Advances in genetic screening of the RET have enabled early detection of hereditary MTCs and prophylactic thyroidectomy for relatives who may not show any symptom of the disease. In this review we emphasize the main RET mutations in the syndromic and non syndromic forms of MTC, and have tried focus on the importance of RET genetic screening for early diagnosis and management of MTC patients

[Relationship between infant nutrition feeding and childhood obesity in first grade Tehranian students of primary schools, 2009]

Since the prevalence and severity of childhood obesity is increasing, understanding the effective factors for prevention of this disorder is important. A total of 513 students of both sexes in the first year of primary schools, were recruited in this cross-sectional study. They were chosen randomly from 19 regions [of the ministry of education] from Tehran city. Their weight and height were measured, and information on infant birth and feeding characteristics [birth order, birth weight, the type of feeding in infancy, the duration of exclusive breast feeding, the duration of breast feeding and formula feeding] activity levels, the timing of the introduction of complementary foods were obtained. Descriptive statistical methods such as frequency distribution table,%C2 test and central and dispersion parameters were used to describe samples. Eight percent of the children were overweight and 11.7% were obese. There was no significant relation between the type of feeding [breast or formula feeding] and children's BMI. The duration of breast feeding was not significantly associated with children's BMI, Children's BMI had a negative linear association with the duration of exclusive breast feeding [r=-0.151, P=0.0001]. The duration of formula feeding was associated with children's BMI [r=0.108, P=0.007]. Children's BMI had an inverse linear relation with the time of introduction of complementary foods [r=-0.128, P=0.002]. This study shows the importance of duration of breast feeding in reducing the risk of childhood obesity

[Association of polymorphisms G1193/C exon 8 and C2145/T exon 12 with anti-TPO titer in Iranian population]

Autoimmune thyroid diseases [AITD] are common and it is important to identify the genetic determinants. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between two polymorphisms of Thyroid Peroxidase gene [TPO] and serum level of Anti-TPO titer in an Iranian population. We selected 184 individuals from Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study, categorized as the Anti-TPO- [n=72] and Anti-TPO+ [n=112] groups. Inclusion criteria for cases was Anti-TPO and Anti-Tg>100U/L with a history of hypothyroidism. Anti-TPO levels in subjects were measured by the ELISA kit. Genomic DNA was extracted using Saltingout/Proteinase K method. Polymorphism detection of Exon 8 and 12 was done using the PCR-RFLP method. The PCR products were incubated with restriction enzymes SacII and BsrI, respectively. The C allele frequency of C2145/T polymorphism Exon 12 [rs732608] was observed in 71.2% of patients and in 28.8% of normal individuals. This allele was significantly associated with increased levels of Anti-TPO [[T 140 +/- 330 pmol/L; vs. C 436 +/- 380 pmol/L; P<0.001], [OR: 9.2]]. The G1193/C was not associated with the level of serum Anti-TPO in this study. We demonstrated that the C allele polymorphism in C2145/T exon 12 is associated with high levels of serum Anti-TPO and that carriers of this allele are predisposed to disease 9.2 times more than those who do not have A allele

[Central obesity as a reliable predictor for hypertension and dyslipidemia: Tehran lipid glucose study]

Risk factors for cardiovascular diseases have an increasing rate worldwide. Body weight is being used to predict the development of these risk factors in many populations. However, there is a lack of related data from Iran in this regard. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalences of hypertension and dyslipidemia in a Tehranian population over time, and to assess whether BMI or WHR as general and central obesity indicators are reliable predictors for these risk factors. The study population included 2729 individuals, aged 20-70 years, who were investigated at the beginning and the end of the second phase of the prospective Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study [TLGS]. In each phase, BMI, WHR, BP and lipids profile were measured according to standard protocols. Socio-demographic data were obtained, using pretested questionnaires in each phase. Finally, using SPSS, prevalence of hypertension, dyslipidemia, general and central obesity in the study population were determined. Chi-square tests and logistic regressions evaluated the associations between variables after matching for confounders. To test the strength of the associations, sex-adjusted odds ratio [OR] and its 95% confidence interval were used. A notable increase in general/central obesity prevalence and a decrease in hypertension and dyslipidemia prevalence were seen during the study period. BMI stayed significantly associated with hypertension and almost all lipid factors [P<0.05]; however, WHR kept its significant association only with hypertriglyceridemia and low HDL-C [P<0.05]. The results suggest that BMI the overweight/obesity indicator, is a stronger predictor for hypertension and dyslipidemia in adult Tehranians

Nutrigenomics and nutrigenetics

The nutrients are able to interact with molecular mechanisms and modulate the physiological functions in the body. The Nutritional Genomics focuses on the interaction between bioactive food components and the genome, which includes Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics. The influence of nutrients of f genes expression is called Nutrigenomics, while the heterogeneous response of gene variants to nutrients, dietary components and developing nutraceticals is called nutrigenetics. Genetic variation is know to affect food tolerances among human subpopulations and may also influence dietary requirements and raising the possibility of individualizing nutritional intake for optimal health and disease prevention on the basis of an individual's genome. Nutrigenomics provides a genetic understanding for how common dietary components affect the balance between health and disease by altering the expression and/or structure of an individual's genetic makeup. Nutrigenetics describes that the genetic profile have impact on the response of body of bioactive food components by influencing their absorption, metabolism, and site of action. In this way, considering different aspects of gene-nutrient interaction and designing appropriate diet for every specific genotype that optimize individual health, diagnosis and nutritional treatment of genome instability, we could prevent and control conversion of healthy phenotype to diseases