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@#Introduction: Early studies have suggested the role of C-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5) polymorphisms in influencing HIV pathogenesis and phenotypes, including the protection against HIV infection and delaying disease progression to AIDS. This study aimed to further determine the impact of CCR5 variants (CCR5-Δ32 and CCR5- R223Q) on HIV susceptibility, viral load suppression and CD4 recovery during highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) among Malaysian HIV patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 182 HIV-infected who were recruited from three out-patient clinics, and 150 non-HIV subjects from Malay, Chinese and Indian ethnicities. CD4 count and viral load data at 4-6 months (t1) and 8-12 months (t2) after starting HAART were gathered from hospital records. Chi-square test was used to analyse the correlation between CCR5 variants with dependent variables. Results: Heterozygous CCR5-Δ32 and CCR5-R223Q occurred in a percentage of 0.5% (1/182) and 1.7% (3/182) among HIV patients respectively, while none of homozygous mutant for CCR5-Δ32 and CCR5-R223Q were found. CCR5-R223Q was found more frequently in non-HIV as compared to the HIV group (P=0.018). However, both polymorphisms were not found to be correlated with CD4 recovery to ≥500 cells/mm3 (P>0.05) and viral load suppression ≤50 copies/mL (P>0.05). Conclusion: CCR5-R223Q and CCR5-Δ32 alleles probably have no modifying effects on HIV susceptibility virological and immunological recoveries in the first 12 months of HAART, partially due to the low prevalence of these mutations in the studied population.
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@#Introduction: Association studies between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have been abundant. However, there are limited reports on copy number variations (CNVs) of beta-defensins (DEFB) gene in relation to T2DM. In this study, DEFB copy numbers were quantified in T2DM with nephropathy, T2DM without nephropathy and non-diabetic control groups to investigate its influence in chronic inflammation in Malaysian individuals. Methods: DEFB copy number in Malaysian individuals were quantified by using paralogue ratio tests (PRT) which allow direct quantification of gene copy number by using PRT107A and HSPD21 PRT primers. The copy number generated was then validated from insertion/deletion ratio measurement 5DEL (rs5889219) and two microsatellite analyses (EPEV-1 and EPEV-3). Results: DEFB copy number was found extending from 2 to 8 copies in the non-diabetic group (n=146), while in T2DM group (n=392), copy numbers were more extensive, ranging between 1 and 12 copies; with 1, 10 and 12 copies detected in T2DM with nephropathy group (n=202). Statistically, there is no significant difference in DEFB copy number between T2DM and the non-diabetic group (p=0.209) as well as between diabetic nephropathy and without nephropathy of the T2DM group (p=0.522). However, significant white blood cell (WBC) count was found between T2DM groups with and without diabetic nephropathy (p=0.000). Conclusion: Extreme DEFB copy numbers in T2DM with nephropathy group suggest future studies with bigger sample size are necessary to elucidate the true impact of CNVs of DEFB gene in promoting early onset of nephropathy in T2DM.
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Abstract@#Introduction: Eating seafood has become a major health concern for many people due to the present of heavy metal especially cadmium (Cd). Cd can accumulate in the body and disrupt the normal cellular processes which will eventually lead to organ damage. This study aims to determine the seafood consumption pattern and blood cadmium (BCd) as well as the association between these two variables among respondents living along the coastal area of Melaka. Methods: Pretested questionnaires were used to collect background and food frequency intake from coastal villagers through convenient sampling method. Venous blood samples were analysed by using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) for BCd determination. Results: A total of 63 respondents who 54% were female with median age of 34 years old provided complete data in this study. The most frequently consumed seafood and its product were shrimp paste (31.5%) followed by mackerel (13.6%), hardtail-scad (6.2%), flatfish (4.5%) and fish ball (4.0). All blood samples showed the present of Cd with median (IQR) = 0.076 (0.1) μg/L and ranged between 0.007 to 1.284 μg/L. The finding showed no association between frequently consumed seafood and low BCd of the respondents. On the other hand, gender was found to be significantly associated with the BCd. Conclusion: Seafood consumption pattern was not significantly associated with BCd which suggests that frequent seafood consumption may not contribute much to BCd level among the respondents as well as it may indicates safe consumption of these seafood available in the study location.
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Abstract@#Introduction: Accumulation of heavy metals through seafood consumption constitutes a significant potential threat to human health. Biomonitoring of whole blood heavy metals level gave an insight into the internal body burden to the exposure of heavy metals. The aims of this study were to assess the blood heavy metals (arsenic and lead) level among the coastal community of Melaka and to determine their association with sociodemographic background and potential sources of heavy metals accumulation. Methods: Respondents were recruited through purposive sampling technique based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The questionnaires were distributed to obtain sociodemographic information, the frequency of seafood intake and smoking habit. Blood samples were obtained on a voluntary basis. A total of 63 respondents completed all the information required. The heavy metals concentration in blood was determined by inductively coupled plasma- mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results: The blood arsenic (BAs) concentration of respondents was 0.076 (0.059 – 0.107) µg/L and the blood lead (BPb) concentration of respondents was 1.204 (0.670 – 2.094) µg/L respectively. A significant association was observed between seafood-based product frequency intake and BPb concentration (p < 0.05). Other seafood frequency intake and background factors were not significantly associated with the BAs and BPb concentration of respondents. Conclusion: The findings showed that arsenic and lead levels in the blood of respondents along the coastal area of Melaka did not exceed the blood heavy metals reference levels and there was also lack of associations between blood heavy metals concentration and the potential factors of heavy metals accumulation studied.