Unbalanced bone remodeling in Tunisian patients with inflammatory bowel diseases

Bone loss is an ignored complication in inflammatory bowel diseases. Its underling mechanisms are not fully elucidated. To investigate bone turnover in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases.The study included 67 patients with inflammatory bowel diseases and 54 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects. Urinary degradation products of C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen, serum osteocalcin, parathyroid hormone, 25 hydroxy vitamin D and interleukin-6 were assessed. Bone mineral density was measured by dual energy-X-ray absorptiometry and osteoporosis was defined as T score < -2.5 SD. Patients showed significantly higher levels of C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen and interleukin-6 and lower levels of 25 hydroxy vitamin D. Serum osteocalcin and parathyroid hormone were in normal range. In multivariate analysis, urinary degradation products of C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen were associated with disease activity [p=0.04] and osteocalcin was associated with parathyroid hormone [p=0.04]. Urinary degradation products of Cterminal telopeptide of type I collagen and interleukin-6 were significantly increased in inflammatory bowel disease patients with osteoporosis. No association was found between osteoporosis and serum osteocalcin, parathyroid hormone and 25 hydroxy vitamin D. Bone resorption rate is increased and is associated with osteoporosis in inflammatory bowel disease patients. Inflammation, malnutrition, and hypovitaminosis D may contribute to the bone loss

Lack of association between C3123A polymorphism of the angiotensin II type 2 receptor gene and hypertension in Tunisian population

Hypertension is a polygenic disease. Various single-nucleotide gene polymorphisms of rennin angiotensin system have been explored in hypertension. Angiotensin II, the major biologically active component of this system, exerts its effect via two pharmacologically distinct subtypes of angiotensin II receptors, the angiotensin II type 1 receptor and the angiotensin II type 2 receptor. To examine whether the 3123 C/A polymorphism of angiotensin II type 2 receptor gene is involved in hypertension in a sample of Tunisian population. A total of 403 normotensive subjects and 382 hypertensive patients were included in the study. Genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction followed by Alu I restriction digestion. The frequency of "A" genotype was not significantly different between the two groups in men [-2=1.18; p=0.16]. The estimated odds prevalence for hypertension ["A" versus "C"] was 0.77 [95% CI 0.49 to 1.22, p=0.27]. After adjustment for confounding factors, the OR for hypertension remained no significant [OR: 1.49, 95% CI: 0.84-2.63, p=0.16]. In women, genotype distributions for C3123A variant in hypertensive patients were not significantly different from normotensive subjects ["2=3.16; p=0.20]. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the AA genotype was not significantly associated with hypertension [OR: 1.09, 95% CI: 0.58-2.06, p=0.77]. In the present study, we showed that the 3123 C/A polymorphism of AGT2R gene is not a significant factor for hypertension in a sample of Tunisian population

C6771 polymorphism of MTHFR and G80A polymorphism of RFC genes and their relation with homocysteine levels in obese tunisian children

To investigate the frequencies of C677T polymorphism in MTHFR gene and G80A polymorphism in RFC gene in obese and no obese Tunisian children and to assess their relation with homocysteine [tHcy], folate and vitamin B12 levels. We have studied 31 obese compared to 22 no obese children. tHcy was assessed by fluorescence-immunoassay ; folate and vitamin B12 by radioimmunoassay. C677T and G80A mutations were detected using pyrosequencing. There were no differences in tHcy levels between obese and no obese, [10,34 +/- 4,86micro moll/l vs11,00 +/- 4,26micro moll/l]. We found no difference for the allelic frequencies of the C677T polymorphism [29.03% vs 30.95%] and of the G80A polymorphism [64.52% vs 59.52%]. Mean levels of tHcy, folic acid and vitamin B12 were not significantly different according to MTHFR and RFC genotypes. We demonstrated no difference in tHcy, folates, vitamin B12 levels and allelic frequencies of C677T and G80A polymorphisms in MTHFR and RFC genes between obese and no obese Tunisian children. These two polymorphisms don't seem to have any impact on homocysteine, folate and vitamin B12 status in the two populations

[Erythrocyte abnormalities in thyroid dysfunction]

Erythrocyte abnormalities are frequently associated with thyroid dysfunction. However, they are rarely investigated and related to the thyroid. This study was aimed to determine the nature and frequency of erythrocyte abnormalities in thyroid disease and look for their evolution after thyroid function restoration. This retrospective study included 412 patients with peripheral thyroid disease; hyperthyroidism [n=235] or hypothyroidism [n=177]. Hyperthyroidism was considered for TSH <0.10 IUI/ml and hypothyroidism for TSH> 5.01 IUI/ml. Anemia was defined by hemoglobin level <13 g/dl in men and <12 g/dl in women, microcytosis by mean corpuscular volume [MCV] <80 fl, macrocytosis by MCV> 98 fl, and hypchromia by mean corpuscular hemoglobin [MCH] <25 pg. Restoration of euthyroid state was considered in patients with normal TSH levels for at least 3 months. Anaemia was observed in 40.9% of patients with hyperthyroidism and 57.1% of patients with hypothyroidism. Among these, normocytic or macrocytic anaemia was present in 46.3% of cases. Whereas, microcytosis, with or without anaemia, was noted in 87.7% of patients with hyperthyroidism. FT4 was positively correlated with the number of red blood cells and haemoglobin, and inversely correlated with MCV and MCH. After restoration of euthyroid state, most erythrocyte abnormalities were corrected. Thyroid diseases are frequently associated with erythrocyte abnormalities, including normocytic anaemia in hypothyroidism and microcytosis in hyperthyroidism. These abnormalities should be investigated and corrected. Their presence could steer towards subclinical thyroid dysfunction, allowing its early management

[Minor beta thalassemia masked by a hemoglobin A2 mutant]

The elevation of hemoglobin A2 [HbA2] is an essential criterion in the diagnosis of minor beta thalassemia. To report a case of minor beta thalassemia HbA2 with normal HbA2 rate. We report the case of ten years old boy, with hypochromic microcytic anemia, refractory to iron treatment. The study of hemoglobin [Hb] has revealed the presence of a minor abnormal fraction of Hb, amounted to 2.8%, associated with the presence of HbF and normal levels of HbA2. Family study revealed the presence of two Hb abnormalities [beta thalassemia trait and HbA2 mutant] transmitted to offspring in isolation or associated. The genotypic study confirmed the presence of minor, 0 thalassemia and a% gene mutation, causing a new mutant HbA2 named HbA2 Pasteur-Tunis [%59 [E3] Lys [rightwards arrow] Asn [AAG [rightwards arrow] AAC]]. The presence of% mutant reduces HbA2 level and could hide beta thalassemia trait. Rigorous and methodical interpretation of phenotypic data is crucial to not overlook the presence of beta thalassemia trait, whose diagnosis is crucial for genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis

[Plasma fatty acids Profile and lipids in Tunisian male elite athletes]

Growing interest is accorded to polyunsaturated fatty acids [PUFAs] 3, which are considered beneficial for health. To investigate the effect of sports on plasma lipids and fatty acids [FAs], especially 6 and 3 PUFAs and the 6/3 ratio. The study included 75 Tunisian male elite athletes, practicing team sport and 70 sedentary healthy men as controls. Plasma FAs profile was analyzed by gas chromatography. Comparison between groups was performed using a univariate GLM analysis, with adjustment on age, body mass and energy intake. Athletes showed lower triglycerides and saturated FAs [27.64% +/- 2.17% vs. 30.41% +/- 4.35%] and increased HDL cholesterol and monounsaturated FAs [21.19% +/- 2 44% vs. 19.12% +/- 3.03%]. However, there was no significant difference in total PUFAs, 6 and 3 families and 6/3 ratio [10.15% +/- 3.24% vs. 10.20% +/- 3.37%] between athletes and sedentary. Sport favorably modifies the profile of plasma FAs by increasing monounsaturated FAs at the expense of saturated FAs, but has no effect on total PUFAs, and 6 and 3 families. A diet rich in 3 PUFAs would lower the 6/3 ratio, in order to improve the health and probably the performance of athletes

L'hyperprolactinemie au cours du lupus erythemateux systemique. Etude prospective a propos de 38 cas

Objective To study prospective the serum prolactin concentrations among patients with systemic lupus erylhematosus and their possible relationship to disease activity and manifestations. Serum prolactin levels were measured by Radioimmunoossay in 38 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and 22 age matched controls. Patients with known secondary causes for hyperprolactinaemia, such as pregnancy, lactation, prolactinoma and taking medications known to induce proiactin secretion, were excluded from the study. Demographic, clinical and laboralory Features of the patienrs were obtained. Patients were divided into two subgroups according to their disease activity. Mean prolacim levels from both groups were compared using student test, and prolactin from patients with systemic lupus erythemotosus was correlated with variables of disease activity, including the Systemic Lupus Erylhematosus Disease Activity Index [SLEDAI]. Results Mean proloctin levels were higher In patients with systemic lupus erythematosus [15,4] than healthy controls [9,83] however, the difference did not reach statistical significance [p=]. Hyperprolactinaemia was found in 24 patients with systemic lupus ery-themotosus and 5 controls. The frequency of hyperprolactinaemia in systemic lupus erythematosus group was higher than healthy controls. No significant difference in mean proloctin levels was found between patients with active versus inactive disease [1 8,9 vs 1 8,5], Conctusion; hyperprolactinaemia occurred significantly in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, but did not correlate with disease activity