ABSTRACT
Background: Proinflammatory cytokines have been known to be elevated in patients with Chronic Heart Failure [CHF]. Given the importance of proinflammatory cytokines in the context of the failing heart, the prevalence of Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha [TNF-alpha], Interleukin [IL]-6 polymorphisms in patients with CHF was studied due to ischemic heart disease
Methods: Forty three patients with ischemic heart failure were enrolled in this study and compared with 140 healthy individuals. The allele and genotype frequency of four Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms [SNPs] within the IL-6 [-174, nt565] and TNF-alpha [-308, -238] genes were determined, using Polymerase Chain Reaction with Sequence-Specific Primers [PCR-SSP] assay
Results: The frequency of the TNF-alpha [-238] A/A genotype was significantly higher in patients comparing to controls [p=0.043], while TNF-alpha G/A genotype at the same position decreased significantly, in comparison with controls [p=0.018]. The most frequent haplotype for TNF-alpha was A/A in the patient group in comparison with controls [p=0.003]. There was no significant difference in allele and genotype frequencies of IL-6 at positions -174 and nt565, and TNF-alpha at position -308
Conclusion: Certain alleles, genotypes, and haplotypes in TNF-alpha, but not IL-6, gene were overrepresented in patients with ischemic heart failure, which may, in turn, predispose individuals to this disease
ABSTRACT
Background: Inflammatory cytokines have been known to be associated with Chronic Heart Failure [CHF]. Given the importance of cytokines in the context of the failing heart, the prevalence of Interleukin-2 [IL-2] and Interferon-gamma [IFN-Gamma] polymorphisms was studied in patients with CHF due to ischemic heart disease in a casecontrol study
Methods: Fifty-six Iranian patients with CHF were enrolled in this study as the case group and compared with 139 healthy subjects, using polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers method, so as to determine the frequency of alleles, genotypes and haplotypes of IFN-Gamma [+874 A/T] and IL-2 [-330 G/T, +166 G/T] SNPs
Results: The GG genotype at IL-2 -330 in patients with CHF was significantly overrepresented in comparison with the control group [p=0.013]. Such a positive genotypic association was also observed for IL-2 +166/TT [p=0.022]. Meanwhile, the GT genotype frequency at IL-2 -330/GT in the patient group was significantly lower than the one in healthy controls [p=0.049]. No significant association was detected between the IFN-Gamma gene polymorphisms and individuals' susceptibility to CHF
Conclusion: Certain genotypes in IL-2 gene were overrepresented in patients with CHF, which could render individuals more vulnerable to this disease
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Various neuroregenerative procedures have been recently employed along with neurorehabilitation programs to promote neurological function after Spinal Cord Injury [SCI], and recently most of them have focused on the acute stage of spinal cord injury. In this report, we present a case of acute SCI treated with neuroprotective treatments in conjunction with conventional rehabilitation program
Methods: A case of acute penetrative SCI [gunshot wound], 40 years old, was treated with intrathecal bone marrow derived stem cells and parenteral Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor [G-CSF] along with rehabilitation program. The neurological outcomes as well as safety issues have been reported
Results: Assessment with American Spinal Injury Association [ASIA], showed neurological improvement, meanwhile he reported neuropathic pain, which was amenable to oral medication
Discussion: In the acute setting, combination therapy of G-CSF and intrathecal Mesenchymal Stem Cells [MSCs] was safe in our case as an adjunct to conventional rehabilitation programs. Further controlled studies are needed to find possible side effects, and establish net efficacy