Associations between UGT1A1 and SLCO1B1 polymorphisms and susceptibility to neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in Thai population.

Hyperbilirubinemia is the main mechanism that causes neonatal jaundice, and genetics is one of the risk factors of hyperbilirubinemia. Therefore, this study aims to explore the correlation between two genes, UGT1A1 and SLCO1B1, and hyperbilirubinemia in Thai neonates. One hundred thirty seven neonates were recruited from Division of Clinical Chemistry, Ramathibodi Hospital. UGT1A1*28 and *6 were determined by pyrosequencing whereas, SLCO1B1 388A > G and 521 T > C genetic variants were determined by TaqMan® real-time polymerase chain reaction. Neonates carrying with homozygous (AA) and heterozygous (GA) variants in UGT1A1*6 were significantly related to hyperbilirubinemia development compared with wild type (GG; P < 0.001). To the combined of UGT1A1, total bilirubin levels in homozygous variant were higher significantly than heterozygous variant and wild type (P = 0.002, P = 0.003, respectively). Moreover, SLCO1B1 combination was significant differences between the hyperbilirubinemia and the control group (P = 0.041). SLCO1B1 521 T > C variant provide protection for Thai neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (P = 0.041). There are no significant differences in UGT1A1*28 and SLCO1B1 388A > G for the different severity of hyperbilirubinemia. The combined UGT1A1*28 and *6 polymorphism is a strong risk factor for the development of severe hyperbilirubinemia in Thai neonates. Therefore, we suggest neonates with this gene should be closely observed to avoid higher severities of bilirubin.

Increased Uric Acid and Life Style Factors Associated with Metabolic Syndrome in Thais.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) has been continually increasing in developing countries especially in Thailand. Although insulin resistance and central obesity are initially considered as significant risk factors, the other causal factors leading to the development of MS continue to challenge the investigators. The aims of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of MS in Pathum Thani province, Thailand and to investigate the relationship between MS and risk factors. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed with 202 Thai volunteers. Anthropometric-biochemical variables and blood pressures in each subject were measured. RESULTS: Almost one-third (32.7%) of the participants were diagnosed with MS based on the harmonized criteria, and one of the most significant risk factors is the elevated blood pressure. Weight, BMI, waist and hip circumferences, waist-hip ratio, blood pressure, glucose, triglycerides and uric acid were significantly higher in subjects with MS subjects. However, HDL-C levels were significantly lower in subjects with MS, compared to subjects without MS (p<0.001). The results of regression model after adjustment for age and gender showed that the increased serum uric acid level (OR=1.31, 95%CI: =1.04-1.66), cigarette smoking (OR=3.72, 95%CI: =1.51-9.15) and physical activity (OR=0.36, 95%CI: =0.19-0.67) were significantly related to MS. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the decrease of uric acid level, the promotion of physical activity and smoking cessation may decrease the risk of developing MS among Thais.

Comparative Proteome-Wide Analysis of Bone Marrow Microenvironment of ß-Thalassemia/Hemoglobin E.

ß-thalassemia/Hb E is a global health issue, which is characterized by a range of clinical symptoms from a mild and asymptomatic anemia to severe disorders that require transfusions from infancy. Pathological mechanisms of the disease involve the excess of unmatched alpha globin and iron overload, leading to ineffective erythropoiesis and ultimately to the premature death of erythroid precursors in bone marrow (BM) and peripheral organs. However, it is unclear as to how BM microenvironment factors contribute to the defective erythropoiesis in ß-thalassemia/Hb E patients. Here, we employed mass spectrometry-based comparative proteomics to analyze BM plasma that was collected from six ß-thalassemia/Hb E patients and four healthy donors. We identified that the differentially expressed proteins are enriched in secretory or exosome-associated proteins, many of which have putative functions in the oxidative stress response. Using Western blot assay, we confirmed that atypical lipoprotein, Apolipoprotein D (APOD), belonging to the Lipocalin transporter superfamily, was significantly decreased in BM plasma of the tested pediatric ß-thalassemia/Hb E patients. Our results highlight that the disease condition of ineffective erythropoiesis and oxidative stress found in BM microenvironment of ß-thalassemia/Hb E patients is associated with the impaired expression of APOD protein.

Association of antioxidant status and inflammatory markers with metabolic syndrome in Thais.

BACKGROUND: An oxidant/antioxidant disequilibrium has been suggested as having a role in the pathogenesis of some diseases. Metabolic syndrome (MS) is significantly associated with cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. The pathogenesis of MS is complex and not well understood. The purposes of the present study were to compare enzymatic and non-enzyme antioxidants, anthropometric, hematological, and biochemical findings between subjects with MS and without MS and to evaluate the relationship between antioxidant status and hematological parameters with the components of MS. METHODS: Metabolic syndrome was assessed by using the modified National Cholesterol Education Program, Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. Three hundred Thais, 124 with MS and 176 without MS, were included in the study. Each subject was tested for erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase, (GPX), catalase (CAT), albumin and vitamin C levels, and hematological findings. RESULTS: Subjects with MS had lower SOD and CAT levels than those without MS (p < 0.01). Subjects with MS had lower vitamin C and albumin levels than those without MS (p < 0.05). The hematological findings were not significantly different between those with and without MS except the white blood cell (WBC) count which was significantly higher in those with MS. SOD and CAT levels were significantly positively associated with HDL-C levels and negatively associated with components of MS. After adjusting for potential covariates, we found lower SOD and vitamin C levels and higher WBC counts were significantly associated with MS (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest an alteration in antioxidant status and an increase in inflammatory markers are associated with MS and its components among Thais; subjects with MS may be more likely to have oxidative stress problems.

Protective Effects of Tinospora crispa Stem Extract on Renal Damage and Hemolysis during Plasmodium berghei Infection in Mice.

Renal damage and hemolysis induced by malaria are associated with mortality in adult patients. It has been speculated that oxidative stress condition induced by malaria infection is involved in its pathology. Thus, we aimed to investigate the protective effects of Tinospora crispa stem extract on renal damage and hemolysis during Plasmodium berghei infection. T. crispa stem extract was prepared using hot water method and used for oral treatment in mice. Groups of ICR mice were infected with 1 × 10(7) parasitized erythrocytes of P. berghei ANKA by intraperitoneal injection and given the extracts (500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg) twice a day for 4 consecutive days. To assess renal damage and hemolysis, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and hematocrit (%Hct) levels were then evaluated, respectively. Malaria infection resulted in renal damage and hemolysis as indicated by increasing of BUN and creatinine and decreasing of %Hct, respectively. However, protective effects on renal damage and hemolysis were observed in infected mice treated with these extracts at doses of 1000 and 2000 mg/kg. In conclusion, T. crispa stem extract exerted protective effects on renal damage and hemolysis induced by malaria infection. This plant may work as potential source in the development of variety of herbal formulations for malarial treatment.