Association of G/C [rs638405] polymorphism in beta-secretase gene with Alzheimer's disease

Background: Alzheimer's Disease [AD] is a neurodegenerative disorder, which is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly. Accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques outside neurons is the most important pathological hallmark of AD, which is produced by cleavage of amyloid precursor protein by the Alzheimer's beta-secretase [BACE1]. Since BACE1 is a key enzyme in the formation of beta-amyloid peptides, the purpose of this study was to assess the association between polymorphisms of G/C [rs638405] BACE1 gene with sporadic AD in Khuzestan, Isfahan and Fars provinces in Iran

Methods: Genotypes were determined by the PCR–Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism [PCR–RFLP] technique in two groups including 89 sporadic AD patients and 73 healthy subjects

Results: The findings of the BACE1 G/C [rs638405] polymorphism revealed that there was no significant difference between AD patients and controls in men group; however, there was a weak difference in the frequency of CC genotype between patients and controls in women group [?2=3.333, df=1, p=0.068]

Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the G/C [rs638405] polymorphism of BACE1 gene might not be related with sporadic AD in Khuzestan, Isfahan and Fars provinces in Iran. However, our results do not support a genetic risk factor of this polymorphism for developing AD in male group of this study

[Determining effects of elaidic acid on PPAR- gamma expression in RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line]

Several dietary factors are involved in cardiovascular coronary heart diseases, including trans fatty acids, which are generally formed during hydrogenation of vegetable oils, a process that causes conversion of liquid oils into semisolid fats. Nowadays, it is well-known that trans fatty acids form a major risk factor in the occurrence and progression of atherosclerosis. On the other hand, it has been identified that some nuclear receptors, such as PPARs, are involved and play important roles in lipid homeostasis and pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, we studied the effect of elaidic acid on gene expression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma [PPARgamma]. Murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells were treated by 0.5, 1, and 2 mM concentrations of elaidic acid for 6 h. The control group was treated by 50% ethanol [as solvent], equivalent to the amount of ethanol used in 2 mM concentration of elaidic acid. Later, the total RNA was extracted and its cDNA was synthesized. Finally, the quantity of PPARgamma gene expression was measured by real-time PCR. Overall, 0.5, 1, and 2 mM concentrations of elaidic acid decreased PPARgamma gene expression in RAW264.7 macrophage cell line by -1.36, -1.68, and -3.24 folds compared with the control group, respectively. By decreasing the expression of nuclear receptor PPARgamma, elaidic acid causes, intensifies or accelerates the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases, especially atherosclerosis. This finding shows the importance of reducing the consumption of elaidic acid containing foods