ABSTRACT
Background: it is evident that oxidative stress plays a crucial role in etiology of multiple sclerosis [MS]. Dysregulation of antioxidant enzymes have been implicated in demylination and neuronal loss in MS. The aim of this study was to evaluate mRNA expression and activity of manganese superoxide dismutase [MnSOD], and catalase in peripheral blood mononuclear cells [PBMCs] from patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis [RRMS] and healthy controls
Materials and Methods: we recruited 20 RRMS patients and 20 age-and sexmatched healthy subjects. PBMCs were isolated, RNA was extracted and real time-PCR was used to evaluate mRNA expression of MnSOD and catalase. Enzyme activity of MnSOD and catalase were measured using colorimetric assays
Results: we found a significant increase in mRNA expression and activity of catalase in PBMCs from patients compared with controls, which was accompanied by reduced activity and expression of MnSOD in MS patients
Conclusion: it appears that impaired antioxidant enzymes in term of high activity of catalase and decreased activity of MnSOD are involved in MS pathogenesis, however further studies are needed to establish this concept
ABSTRACT
Longevity is a multifaceted trait in which variety of genes and environmental factors are involved. Newly, the role of vitamin D has been revived regarding its potential advantage on delaying the aging process. Vitamin D exerts its effect through vitamin D receptor [VDR]. VDR-FokI is the only polymorphism which alters the VDR length. We examined the frequency of FokI genotypes in old age population as compared to young adults to determine the discerning genotype of FokI polymorphism leading to longer living. In addition, to highlight the position of FokI polymorphism in quality of life; a cognitive function assessment was performed. 728 participants participated in this study of which 166 individuals were elderly residents of Kahrizak Charity Foundation. The rest were participants of Iranian Multicenter Osteoporosis Study [IMOS]. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood and VDR genotype was detected by the polymerase chain reaction. The participants in the elderly group underwent a cognitive function assessment. Cognitive function was measured with the mini mental state examination [MMSE]. Data were analyzed by SPSS 16.5. The prevalence of ff genotype showed 48% decrease in elderly population as compared to young adults [P=0.06]. In addition, F allele was over-represented in the elderly group as compared to controls [P=0.05]. Also, "FF" participants of elderly group had higher MMSE as compared to "ff" genotype [18.16Vs17.12]. Our data suggest that single nucleotide polymorphisms [SNPs] in FokI may be possibly involved in longevity and cognitive function
ABSTRACT
Visfatin, a novel adiopocytokine, has been proven to be a proinflammatory mediator involved in the process of atherosclerosis. Visfatin has been shown to play a role in plaque destabilization as it is found abundantly in foam cell macrophages within unstable atherosclerotic plaques. The present study is designed to investigate the potential association between serum vistafin levels and the risk of acute myocardial infarction [AMI]. There were 72 patients [mean age: 61.57 +/- 11.40 years] as cases who presented with first-time AMI that were assessed 8 hours after the incident. The control group consisted of 83 healthy volunteers [mean age: 60.30 +/- 8.32 years]. Plasma visfatin levels were measured using enzyme immunoassay in both groups. Biochemical parameters were analyzed. Blood pressure, body mass index [BMI], waist circumference, diabetes, and hypertension were recorded. Serum visfatin levels were significantly higher in patients with AMI [12.77 +/- 8.06 ng/ml] compared to controls [6.57 +/- 2.96 ng/ml, P 7.244 ng/ml [log visfatin > 0.86] had a sensitivity of 70% and a specificity of 75% for predicting AMI. We have detected high levels of visfatin in patients with AMI. It can be concluded that proinflammatory cytokines such as visfatin may play a role in the development of atherosclerosis as well as destabilization of the atherosclerotic plaque
ABSTRACT
The methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase [MTHFR] gene polymorphism C677T is suspected to be a risk factor for psychiatric disorders, but it remains inconclusive whether the MTHFR polymorphism C677T is imputed to vulnerability to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. We prompted impetus to appraise this polymorphism in an Iranian population. Therefore, 90 patients with bipolar disorder type I [BID], 66 patients with schizophrenia diagnosed according to DSM-IV criteria, and 94 unrelated controls with no history of psychiatric disorders were recruited for this study. Genotype distribution and allelic frequencies of C677T polymorphism were investigated. We found no robust differences between patients with BID and schizophrenia with control participants either for allele frequencies or genotype distribution of MTHFR C677T polymorphism. However, a trend toward an increased risk for T allele was observed in the BID patients [with odds ratio [OR] of 1.28[CI 95%: 0.8-1.31], p>0.05]. However, the present and some previous studies failed to elucidate possible interaction between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and vulnerability to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder; still some associations have been revealed in performed meta-analyses that warrant further studies
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Polymorphism, Genetic , Schizophrenia/genetics , Bipolar Disorder/genetics , Genotype , AllelesABSTRACT
Golestan Province in north-eastern Iran has one of the highest incidence rates for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma [ESCC] worldwide. Earlier studies have reported higher incidence rates in the areas of Golestan which are mainly inhabited by individuals of the Turkmen ethnic group. However, it is not clear whether in those areas the incidence among Turkmens is higher in comparison to non-Turkmens. Some previous studies have suggested that environmental factors might play a more essential role in ESCC carcinogenesis in Golestan than a genetic background. If environmental factors instead of a genetic background are the major risk factors, therefore the prevalence of known environmental risk factors would not significantly differ among ESCC cases of different ethnic groups. To investigate the role of environmental factors versus genetic background by using the above concept, we have compared the prevalence of known risk factors for ESCC among Turkmen and non-Turkmen ESCC cases. Study participants were histopathologically proven ESCC cases from Golestan Province. They were recruited in the study from December 2003 to June 2007. The prevalence of the most important known risk factors for ESCC in Turkmen and non-Turkmen ESCC cases was compared using Chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests. Of 300 ESCC cases recruited in the study, 171 [57.0%] and 129 [43.0%] cases were Turkmen and non-Turkmen, respectively. In the majority of the investigated risk factors which included tobacco, nass, and opium use, hot and extremely hot tea consumption, as well as decreased levels of education; there was no significant difference between Turkmen and non-Turkmen ESCC cases in the prevalence of exposure. Our findings support the suggestion that a substantial difference between Turkmens and non-Turkmens in terms of genetic susceptibility to ESCC is unlikely. Nevertheless, the moderate effect of genetic factors cannot be ruled out. Further studies to investigate potential environmental and genetic risk factors of ESCC in Golestan and the interaction between environmental and genetic factors are warranted
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Middle Aged , Aged , Esophageal Neoplasms/etiology , Risk Factors , Prevalence , Incidence , Ethnicity , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Background: recurrent GDM are more common in women with previous GDM. Also GDM is an important risk factor for abnormal glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes during postpartum. This study aims to determine the prevalence of postpartum IGT and T2DM in women with previous GDM
Methods: a cohort study was conducted on 2416 pregnant women referred to five Tehran university hospital clinics. The universal screening was performed with a GCT-50g and those with plasma glucose level>/=130mg/dl, were diagnosed as having GDM if they had an impaired GTT-100g based on Carpenter and Coustan criteria. All pregnancies were followed up until delivery. Available GDM patients underwent an OGTT-75gr within 6 to 12 weeks after delivery. Postpartum diabetes mellitus was diagnosed according to ADA criteria. Student T test and ANOVA used for comparing means of variables and Chi Square used for comparing of frequency of variables. Value of P less than 0.5 determine as significant different
Results: the prevalence of GDM was 4.7%. In fallow up 85.9% of women with GDM were screen in postpartum. 16.3% of women required insulin treatment and other patients were managed with diet. Prevalence of postpartum diabetes mellitus and IGT were 8.1% [CI 95%: 3.5-15.4] and 21.4% [CI 95%: 13.7-30.8] respectively, and 70.5% returned to normoglycemy
Conclusion: abnormal glucose tolerance is a common disorder in the early postpartum in GDM patients. Because of the high incidence of glucose tolerance disorders in women with previous GDM, screening, diagnosis and management during pregnancy was important for prevention of these disorders. Following up these mothers after delivery is highly recommended