Pharmacogenetic typing for oral anti-coagulant response among factor V Leiden mutation carriers.

Context: Factor V Leiden mutation is the most common inherited predisposition for hypercoagulability and thereby a common genetic cause for initiation of oral anti-coagulation therapy. There is a dearth of knowledge of coumarin response profile in such thrombophilic population. Aims: The current pilot study aims to estimate coumarin sensitivity in an Indian cohort with an inherited thrombophilia risk factor (Factor V Leiden mutation carriers) based on the observed frequency of CYP2C9 *2, *3 and VKORC1-1639G >A genotype combinations. Settings and Design: A retrospective study carried out in a tertiary health care center in India. Materials and Methods: Carriers of FVL mutation were genotyped for CYP2C9 (*2, *3) and VKORC1 (-1639G >A) variants by PCR-RFLP technique. Statistical Analysis Used: Chi-square test to analyze difference in expected and observed genotype frequency. Results: Sixty-one (n = 61) unrelated carriers of FVL mutation were observed in the 13 years study period. The allele frequency of CYP2C9 *2, CYP2C9 *3, and VKORC1-1639A in this cohort was 0.06, 0.11, and 0.16, respectively. Six (9.7%) individuals had two of the three variant alleles (heterozygous or homozygous), and 28 (45.9%) were heterozygous for at least one polymorphism. Conclusions: Pre-prescription genotyping for coumarin drugs, if introduced in Indians with inherited thrombophilia (in whom oral anti-coagulant therapy may be necessary), is likely to identify 9.7% (hypersensitive) subjects in whom the optimum anti-coagulation may be achieved with reduced dosages, 44.3% (normal sensitivity) who may require higher dose and also 55.6% (hyper and moderate sensitivity) subjects who are likely to experience bleeding episodes.

Effect of maternal Tp53 gene G412C polymorphism on neural tube defects: A study from North India.

Context: Tumor protein 53 (tp53) is one of the candidate gene proposed for neural tube defects, which affects central nervous system during early embryonic development, on the basis of mouse models. Aims: The present study is an attempt to unfold the possible role of tp53 G412C polymorphism in the incidence of neural tube defect (NTDs) in humans. Settings and Design: Case-control study was carried out in government hospitals of Delhi, India. Materials and Methods: Subjects comprised of 100 mothers of NTD children and 100 matched control mothers. Information on some environmental exposures was collected along with blood samples. After DNA extraction, the genotyping of tp53 G412C polymorphism was carried out by PCR-RFLP method. Statistical Analysys: Fisher Exact or Chi square test, binary logistic model, and odds ratio (95% confidence interval) calculations were used to evaluate effect of risk factors on NTDs using SPSS v17.0. Results: The 'CC' genotype of tp53 G412C showed protective effect towards the development of anencephaly and/or encephalocele (OR: 0.44; 95% CI: 0.19-1.00); however, no significant difference among overall NTD cases and controls was observed (P>0.05). Further segregation of all subjects based on 2 different communities, Hindus and Muslims, the association of 'CC' genotype of the polymorphism with reduced NTD risk was observed among Hindu community (OR: 0.33; 95% CI: 0.13-0.79). Conclusion: The study highlights the selective advantage provided by maternal 'CC' genotype, thereby reducing risk of cephalic NTDs, probably due to the lower apoptotic activity of the protein, however, more specifically in the presence of community-specific microenvironment.

Age at Menarche in Adolescent Khasi Girls, Meghalaya.

The mean and median age at menarche in 360 Khasi girls was found to be 13.22 ± 0.88 and 12.13 ± 0.79 years, respectively; socio-economic status was observed to be a strong predictor of age at menarche in this population.