ABSTRACT
Background: Human leukocyte antigen-G [HLA-G] is a non-classical class I molecule highly expressed by extravillous cytotrophoblast cells. Due to a single base pair deletion, its function can be compensated by other isoforms. Investigating the frequency of null allele in Recurrent Miscarriage [RM] subjects could be useful in understanding the relationship between frequency of this allele and RM in a given population
Objective: This study aimed to determine the frequency of HLA-G*0105N null allele and its potential association with down-regulation of HLA-G in subjects with RM
Materials and Methods: Western blotting was used to assess the level of HLA-G protein expression. For investigating the frequency of HLA-G*0105N null allele in RM subjects, PCR-RFLP method was used. Exon 3 of HLA-G gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction [PCR]. Subsequently, PpuM-1 enzyme was employed to digest the PCR products and fragments were analyzed using gel electrophoresis
Results: Digestion using restriction enzyme showed the presence of heterozygous HLA-G*0105N null allele in 10% of the test population. Western blotting results confirmed the decrease in expression of HLA-G in the placental tissue of subjects with RM compared to subjects who could give normal birth
Conclusion: The frequency of heterozygous HLA-G*0105N null allele was high to some extent in subjects with RM. The mutation rate in subjects suggested that there is a significant association between RM and frequency of mutations in this allele
ABSTRACT
Background: Identifying the factors associated with the recurrence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) can help in tuberculosis disease prevention and reducing the burden on the health care system. This study was designed to identify the factors associated with recurrence in MTB patients in five border provinces of Iran. Methods: In a cross-sectional study (2010 to 2012), clinical, economic, and social factors associated with the recurrence of tuberculosis were evaluated. The data were collected by a questionnaire and survey of medical records. Simple and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed using SPSS V.18. Results: A total of 300 patients with an average age of 51.9 years (SD 24.2) were randomly selected. Overall, 7.2% of the patients were diagnosed with a recurrence of tuberculosis. Sixty-four percent (n = 151) of the patients were in a low-income class. The migration from a village to a city (OR = 8.4) and weight loss (OR = 1.5) were significantly associated with an increased chance of recurrence. Conclusion: In this study, the selected provinces of Iran had moderate rates of tuberculosis recurrence in comparison to global reports. Further studies on the relationship of both weight loss and the immigration from a village to a city with tuberculosis recurrence are necessary.
ABSTRACT
Paraoxonase is a HDL-associated enzyme implicated in the pathogeneses of atherosclerosis by protecting lipoproteins against peroxidition in numerous studies. Its biallelic gene polymorphism at codon 192Q>R has been associated with coronary artery disease [CAD]. Therefore, in the present study the role of polymorphism paraoxonase 1 gene was evaluated for CAD in diabetic patients. In this case- control study, peripheral blood was taken from 105 CAD patients diagnosed with angioplastically and 95 CAD individuals with no history of diabetes from Northwest of Iranian population. The abundance of mutant alleles of the 192Q>R paraoxonase were determined by PCR-RFLP. The abundance of RR allele in diabetic group was significantly higher than in selected group with no diabetic history [41.1% in diabetic vs. 24.5% in non-diabetic individuals]. Regarding significant prevalence of RR allele and considering ethnic diversities like Turk, Kurd, Lore and others living in Iran, it appears that other polymorphism of this gene like 163T>A and 55L>M is needed to be studied in diabetic patients, which their relations to atherosclerotic problem has been already determined.
ABSTRACT
Inflammatory enzymes and free radicals are important factors affecting the immune system. However, there seems to be no detailed information about the extent to which these factors can affect superoxide dismutase 1 gene expression in female athletes, especially in incremental exercises. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the correlation between superoxide dismutase 1 gene expression with lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] and free radicals in female athletes after an incremental intensity exercise. Fifteen 22-24 year old female athletes from Urmia, Iran voluntarily participated in the study after completing an informed consent form in 2010. Venous blood samples were collected in three stages: prior to, immediately and 3 h after an incremental exercise [12 km/h at a 5% gradient for 20 min]. Real-time PCR was used to assess superoxide dismutase1 [SOD-1] gene expression as was an autoanalyzer for hydrogen peroxide [H2O2] and LDH concentrations. LDH concentration significantly increased in both stages of the exercise [immediately and 3 h after the exercise], [respectively, P=0.009 and P=0.026], but H2O2 concentration significantly increased only in the recovery phase [P=0.002]. SOD-1 mRNA did not significantly increase in any stage of the exercise [P=0.05]. Moreover, there was only a significant correlation between SOD-1 mRNA and H2O2 increase [P=0.014]. Incremental exercise increased H2O2 and LDH levels in female athletes but only free radicals had a significant effect on SOD-1 gene expression