Decreased Expression of IFNG-AS1, IFNG and IL-1B Inflammatory Genes in Medicated Schizophrenia and Bipolar Patients.

Although aberrant expression of cytokines such as IL-1B and IFNG in blood from psychiatric patients supports a role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of the disease, little is known about mechanisms underlying their regulation. We aimed to evaluate the putative role of IFNG-AS1 long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) in controlling of IFNG locus in patients with schizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar (BP). We analysed the expression levels of IFNG-AS1 long non-coding RNA, and IFNG and IL-1B mRNAs in blood cells from 27 SZ- and 30 BP-medicated patients and in 32 healthy controls. Our data showed that IFNG-AS1 expression dramatically decreased in BP and SZ patients compared with controls and was significantly correlated with IFNG expression in patients specifically. Transcript levels of IL-1B were also significantly reduced in BP and SZ patients compared with controls. No significant differences in the expression of IFNG-AS1, IFNG and IL-1B genes were found between patients with BP and SZ. Our data shed further light on the potential role of inflammation, and more particularly inflammatory lncRNAs, in SZ and BP diseases and their pharmacological treatment.

Effect of B9 and B12 vitamin intake on semen parameters and fertility of men with MTHFR polymorphisms.

The methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene codes a crucial enzyme which involve in folate metabolism. The effect of MTHFR gene polymorphisms on male fertility status is uncertain and controversial. We evaluated the effect of B vitamin family intake on total homocysteine content and semen parameters of men with MTHFR gene polymorphisms. MTHFR genotypes frequency and serum total homocysteine concentration were measured among 280 men with impaired spermatogenesis (asthenospermia, oligospermia, severe oligospermia and azoospermia) and 85 control participants. B vitamin family dietary intakes were assessed using a semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire. In addition, concentrations of vitamins B9 and B12 were evaluated in serum samples of some participants (n = 60). We observed significantly higher frequency of TC or TT genotypes in C677T polymorphism among oligospermic, severe oligospermic and azoospermic men. CC genotype of A1298C polymorphism was significantly higher only in azoospermic men. Also, we observed critical effect of vitamin B9 and B12 intake on decreasing of total homocysteine and improving of semen parameters among the men with T allele of MTHFR C677T polymorphism. Our investigation showed that sufficient consumption of vitamins B9 and B12 influences sperm parameters of men with different MTHFR polymorphisms, especially genotypes with T allele.

Evaluating -238 G>A Polymorphism Association in TNF-α Gene with Metabolic Parameters and Nutritional Intakes Among the Iranian NAFLD Patients.

Different studies have shown that -238 G>A polymorphism in promoter region of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) gene is associated with increased risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The current study investigates the association between metabolic parameters and nutritional intakes with -238 G>A of TNF-α promoter gene polymorphism among the Iranian patients with NAFLD. In this study, 75 patients with NAFLD and 76 individuals as control were enrolled. Dietary intakes were assessed using a semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire. Body mass index and waist to hip ratio were calculated. Biochemical assays were measured after 12 h fasting. -238 G>A Polymorphism of TNF-α gene was determined by using sequencing method. We observed no significant difference in frequency of different genotypes of this polymorphism between NAFLD and control groups (P > 0.05). Among biochemical parameters, TAC showed significant decrease in NAFLD patients with GG genotype when compared to controls (P = 0.001). The comparison of macro and micronutrient intakes between groups according to genotypes showed no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05). Although the data were not statistically significant, further studies with larger sample size are needed to determine the effect of dietary compounds in NAFLD.

Association of G/T(rs222859) polymorphism in Exon 1 of YBX2 gene with azoospermia, among Iranian infertile males.

Animal model studies have shown that MSY2 gene has a potential role in spermatogenesis. Some mutations on this gene have been proposed to be associated with human male infertility. In this study, polymorphisms of exon 1 of YBX2 gene have been investigated. A total of 276 men were evaluated. They included 96 men with normal spermatogenesis, 60 men with nonobstructive azoospermia, 60 men with oligospermia and 60 men with asthenospermia. We extracted DNA from blood and testis tissues of samples, and analysed polymorphisms of exon 1 by sequencing method. Moreover, YBX2 gene expression was studied by real-time PCR on blood and testis tissue of samples. Sequencing results showed that among the studied polymorphisms, frequency of TT genotype in rs222859 polymorphism was significantly higher in azoospermic patients compared to control group (P < 0.001). Azoospermic men exhibited significant underexpression of YBX2 gene in blood and testis samples in comparison with controls, oligosperm and asthenosperm samples (P < 0.001), but there was no significant difference in gene expression of YBX2 gene in blood and testis tissues of azoospermic men, with and without mutation (P > 0.05). According to our results, the alterations of this gene might be involved in azoospermia among Iranian population.