ABSTRACT
Background: Vitamin D and insulin play an important role in susceptibility to polycystic ovary syndrome [PCOS], and therefore vitamin D receptor [VDR], parathyroid hormone [PTH], and insulin receptor [INSR] gene variants might be involved in the pathogenesis of PCOS
Objective: The present study was designed to investigate the possible associations between polymorphisms in VDR, PTH, and INSR genes and the risk of PCOS
Materials and Methods: VDR, PTH, and INSR gene variants were genotyped in 35 women with PCOS and 35 controls using Polymerase chain reaction - Restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Furthermore, serum levels of glucose and insulin were measured in all participants
Results: No significant differences were observed for the VDR Fokl, VDR Tru9l, VDR TaqI, PTH Drall, INSR Nsil, and INSR Pmll gene polymorphisms between the women with PCOS and controls. However, after adjustment for confounding factors, the VDR BsmI "Bb" genotype and the VDR Apal "Aa" genotype were significantly under transmitted to the patients [p= 0.016; OR= 0.250; 95% CI= 0.081-0.769, and p= 0.017; OR= 0.260; 95% CI= 0.086-0.788, respectively]. Furthermore, in the women with PCOS, insulin levels were lower in the participants with the INSR Nsil "NN" genotype compared with those with the "Nn + nn" genotypes [P= 0.045]
Conclusion: The results showed an association between the VDR gene Bsml and Apal polymorphisms and PCOS risk. These data also indicated that the INSR "NN" genotype was a marker of decreased insulin in women with PCOS. Our findings, however, do not lend support to the hypothesis that PTH gene Drall variant plays a role in susceptibility to PCOS
ABSTRACT
In the retinoblastoma research, it is of great interest to identify molecular markers associated with the genetics of tumorigenesis. microRNAs [miRNAs] are small non-coding RNA molecules that play a regulatory role in many crucial cellular pathways such as differentiation, cell cycle progression, and apoptosis. A body of evidences showed dysregulation of miRNAs in tumor biology and many diseases. They potentially play a significant role in tumorigenesis processes and have been the subject of research in many types of cancers including retinal tumorigenesis. miRNA expression profiling was found to be associated with tumor development, progression and treatment. These associations demonstrate the putative applications of miRNAs in monitoring of different aspect of tumors consisting diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic. Herein, we review the current literature concerning to the study of miRNA target recognition, function to tumorigenesis and treatment in retinoblastoma. Identification the specific miRNA biomarkers associated with retinoblastoma cancer may help to establish new therapeutic approaches for salvage affected eyes in patients