IL-1, IL-1R and TNFalpha gene polymorphisms in Iranian patients with multiple sclerosis

Different research groups have extensively studied the associations of cytokine gene polymorphisms in different diseases. The role of cytokines gene polymorphisms in multiple sclerosis [MS], as a chronic Immune-mediated neurodegenerative disease, has been previously reported in the various populations. For determining pro-inflammatory cytokine gene polymorphisms, 100 relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis [RRMS] Iranian patients and 140 normal individuals as control enrolled in this study. DNA of each sample was extracted by a modified salting out method. Cytokine single gene nucleotide polymorphisms including IL-1alpha -889, IL-1beta [-511 and +3962], IL-1R pst1 1970, IL-1RA mspal 11100, and TNF-alpha [-308 and -238] were determined by using the PCR-SSP method. The results of our data indicate the decrease in frequency of IL-1alpha TC-889 genotype [p=0.002], IL-1beta TC +3962 genotype [p=0.004], IL-1R T pst1 1970 allele [p= 0.0001], IL-1 RA TC Mspa1 11100 genotype [p=0.009], TNF-alpha A-308 allele [p=0.0002] and AG genotype [p=0.00001] in the patients group versus normal subjects. On the other hand the frequency of IL-1alpha TT -889 genotype [p=0.028], IL-1R C pst1 1970 allele [p=0.0001] and CC genotype [p=0.00006], TNFalpha G -308 allele [p=0.0002] and GG genotype [p=0.000001] decreased significantly in the patients versus normal subjects. These results suggest that polymorphic variations of these pro-inflammatory cytokines may play an important role in susceptibility of Iranian multiple sclerosis patients

Prevalence of diabetic patients among under hemodialysis patients in ten hemodialysis centers of Tehran

Diabetic nephropathy is a leading cause of end-stage renal disease [ESRD] in developed countries. This study was designed to determine the proportion of the diabetic patients among under-hemodialysis patients in ten hemodialysis centers of Tehran. This descriptive, cross-sectional study was done on all under-hemodialysis patients of ten hemodialysis centers [620 patients] during 2001-2002. Data were collected by taking history of the patients and reviewing their medical records. The data were analyzed to find out the frequency of the diabetes and the risk factors associated with diabetic nephropathy such as age, sex, type and duration of diabetes, smoking, hypertension, dyslipidemia, ischemic heart disease and the family history of diabetes and hypertension. Diabetes was the cause of ESRD in 25% of patients aged 32 to 89 years old. The most frequent age group was 7th decade. 9% of diabetic patients suffered from type 1 and 91% of them suffered from type 2 diabetes. Patients with the diabetes duration of 15-19 years had the most frequency. 40% of patients were female and 60% of them were male. History of hyperglycemia, hypertension, dyslipidemia, ischemic heart diseases and smoking were positive in 48%, 82.5%, 46%, 41%, and 21% of patients, respectively. The results of this study are in agreement with other studies in this field. Diabetic patients compose a remarkable percentage of under-hemodialysis-patients. High frequency of risk factors in these patients should promote controlling them to prevention ESRD