E-selectin S128R polymorphism leads to severe asthma

The E-selectin mediates the interaction of activated endothelial cells with leukocytes and plays a fundamental role in the pathogenesis of asthma. It has been suggested that an S/R [Serine128 Arginine] polymorphism of E-selectin alters ligand binding function. Our purpose in this study was to determine whether this Serine128 Arginine polymorphism influences the risk of asthma and also to analyze the possible correlation of disease severity in Iranian patients with polymorphism of E-selectin. We studied human E-selectin gene polymorphism in 172 asthmatic patients and 173 healthy volunteers by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism [PCR-RFLP]. To determine the severity of the asthma's situation, a questionnaire was prepared requesting the following information: age, sex, clinical signs and symptoms and past medical history. After the participants filled in the questionnaire, all active or ex-smoker patients were excluded. A trained observer assessed airway reversibility, peak flowmetry and spirometry in asthmatic patients. We found increased serum levels of soluble E-selectin [sE-selectin] in asthmatic patients compared with healthy subjects [P <0.0001]. Frequencies of the SS, SR, and RR genotypes were found as 66.3%, 31.4%, and 2.3% in the patients and 91.9%, 8.1%, and 0.0% in control subjects, respectively. The 128 Arg allele was more prevalent in patients than controls [OR 5.78; 95% CI, 3.07-10.86, P<0.0001]. However, in this study the polymorphism was not associated with circulating sE-selectin levels. We found a direct correlation between the level of sE-selectin and the severity of asthma [P=0.001]. On the other hand, there was a close relation between 128 Arginine carriage and disease severity [P<0.0001]. These results suggest that the Ser 128 Arg polymorphism of the E-selectin gene is a genetic factor that may be associated with the severity of asthma

Evaluation of independent prognostic importance of hyperuricemia in hospital death after acute myocardial infarction

To evaluate the role of hyperuricemia [serum uric acid level greater than 7 mg/dl] as an independent short term [in hospital] prognostic factor after acute myocardial infarction [AMI]. Included in the study were 2218 patients who were hospitalized with well established AMI from June 1996 through to December 2002 in the Coronary Care Unit of Ekbatan General Hospital, Hamedan University of Medical Sciences, Iran. All patients with exclusive criteria, were omitted from study. Furthermore, frequency of hyperuricemia in patients [N=59] who expired after AMI was compared with patients [N=104] whom were discharged from the hospital after AMI. Frequency of hyperuricemia was measured according to the extension of myocardial necrosis [as the most important prognostic risk factor] based on serum creatine phosphokinase level greater or less than 2000 IU, which was 13.3% and 20.7% in the case group, and 9.5% and 9.7% in the controls, respectively. These findings indicate that hyperuricemia is not an independent prognostic risk factor in hospital death after AMI