Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T polymorphism and relation ship with coronary artery disease

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase [MTHFR] is involved in the reduction of 5, 10-methylenetetrahydrofolate to 5-methyltetrahydrofolate. A 677 C/T single nucleotide polymorphism [SNP] localized in the MTHFR gene was associated with both thermo ability and reduced activity of the enzyme and is associated with increased homocysteine levels. The aim of this study was to establish the genetic frequency of MTHFR SNP and whether this MTHFR SNP may affect a homocysteine level and if it is considered as a risk factor for Coronary artery disease [CAD]. This study included 65 subjects [40 cases and 25 controls]. For all participants in this study total lipids profile, Apo Al, homoysteine, blood glucose, folic acid and genetic polymorphism of MTHFR were done. The percentage distribution of the different genotypes in the study population [all subjects] showed that the CC genotype was the most prevalent one followed by CT and then TT [45%, 35%, 20%] respectively. There was no significant association of T Allele in CAD group when compared to control group although plasma homocysteine level was higher in the CAD compared to the control. It seemed that the high levels of homocysteine in CAD are not only dependent on MTHFR activity but also on many factors such as age, sex, and other vitamins which were not measured in this study such as B12 and B6

Placenta growth factor [PGF] in cases of normal pregnancy and preeclampsia

This study was designed to assess serum levels of placenta growth factor [PGF] throughout normal pregnancy and in cases of preeclampsia admitted to department of Gynecology and Obstetric, Zagazig University Hospital, and Zagazig General Hospital. Serum samples were collected from: 1] Thirty healthy pregnant women throughout normal gestation i.e 10[th] week [1[st] trimester], 20[th] week [2[nd] trimester], 30[th] week [3[rd] trimester] and at term]. 2] Thirty preeclamptic patients divided into 8 mild to moderate and 22 severe preeclampsia according to the level of the arterial blood pressure, the magnitude of proteinuria /24h and the presence of generalized edema in addition to serum uric acid level. Moreover, in order to evaluate the effect of the mode of delivery on serum levels of PGF,maternal and cord blood samples were taken from cases of normal pregnancy delivered either by uncomplicated vaginal delivery [n = 30] or by cesarean section [n = 30]. PGF levels were determined with an antigen - capture enzyme - linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]. It was found that maternal PGF levels during normal pregnancy increased significantly from the 10[th] week to the 20[th] week, to reach a very highly statistically significant level at the 30[th] week, then significantly declined from 30 weeks gestation to delivery. However, at term PGF levels remained significantly higher than that in the 1[st] trimester [10[th] week]. Significantly less maternal PGF levels [P < 0.001] were found in pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia despite insignificant change in placental mass. However, a significant difference in PGF levels - between severe and mild to moderate cases of preeclampsia was detected. On the other hand, it was found that