ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Proinflammatory cytokines have been known to play a considerable part in the pathomechanisms of chronic heart failure (CHF). Given the importance of proinflammatory cytokines in the context of the failing heart, we assessed whether the polymorphisms of interleukin (IL)-1 gene cluster, including IL-1α, IL-1ß, and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) and IL-1R gene are predictors of CHF due to ischemic heart disease. METHODS: Forty- three patients with ischemic heart failure were recruited in this study as patients group and compared with 140 healthy unrelated control subjects. Using polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers method, the allele and genotype frequency of 5 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the IL-1α (-889), IL-1ß (-511, +3962), IL-1R (psti 1970), and IL-1RA (mspa1 11100) genes were determined. RESULTS: The frequency of the IL-1ß -511/C allele was significantly higher in the patient group compared to that in the control group (p = 0.031). The IL-1ß (-511) C/C genotype was significantly overrepresented in patients compared to controls (p = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: Particular allele and genotype in IL-1ß gene were overrepresented in patients with ischemic heart failure, possibly affecting the individual susceptibility to this disease (Tab. 1, Ref. 27).
Subject(s)
Heart Failure/genetics , Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein/genetics , Interleukin-1/genetics , Myocardial Ischemia/genetics , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide/genetics , Receptors, Interleukin-1/genetics , Adult , Aged , Alleles , Case-Control Studies , DNA Primers , Female , Gene Frequency , Genetic Predisposition to Disease , Genotype , Heart Failure/diagnosis , Humans , Interleukin-1alpha/genetics , Interleukin-1beta/genetics , Male , Middle Aged , Multigene Family , Myocardial Ischemia/diagnosis , Polymerase Chain ReactionABSTRACT
Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract. Although the exact etiology of disease is still unknown, mutations in the CARD15/NOD2 gene have been reported in association with CD in several studies. This study was performed to determine whether the CARD15/NOD2 gene confers susceptibility to Iranian pediatric patients with CD. All 12 coding exons of the CARD15/NOD2 gene were sequenced in 16 enrolled pediatric onset CD patients. Sequencing of the CARD15/NOD2 gene showed no mutation. However, two patients harbored polymorphisms within this gene. A heterozygous single nucleotide polymorphism rs3135500 Câ>âY in the exon 12.3 was detected in a 10-year-old girl with mild severity of CD and history of rectovaginal and perianal fistula, and multiple skin tags. The other 5-year-old boy with moderate to severe CD and a history of perianal fissures and oral candidiasis harbored heterozygous single nucleotide polymorphisms in exons 4.1 and 12.1. The results of the present study show that the CARD15/NOD2 mutations in Iranian patients with pediatric onset CD are not responsible for the pathogenesis of disease.
Subject(s)
Crohn Disease/epidemiology , Crohn Disease/genetics , Genetic Predisposition to Disease/epidemiology , Genetic Predisposition to Disease/genetics , Nod2 Signaling Adaptor Protein/genetics , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide/genetics , Child , Female , Humans , Iran/epidemiology , Male , Prevalence , Sequence Analysis, DNA/statistics & numerical dataABSTRACT
Methanolic extract of 15 Iranian medicinal plants were prepared and tested for their cytotoxic activities against three cancer cell lines (MCF7, HepG2, WEHI164) and one normal cell line (MDBK). Some plants showed cytotoxic activities. The extract of Ferula szowitsiana root, which proved to be the most active, was chosen for further phytochemical studies. The major compounds of the most potent acetone extract were isolated. They were identified as chimgin and chimganin, two known monoterpenoids, by spectroscopic means. Their cytotoxic activity was evaluated in three cell lines. The results show that these compounds are responsible, at least in part, for the cytotoxic activity of this plant.
ABSTRACT
Immobilization of human erythrocyte membrane was carried out by adsorption on Fractosil, a porous form of silica. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was chosen as a representative membrane enzyme in this study. Dependency of adsorption on membrane concentration was determined. Positive cooperative interactions that occurred in the process of immobilization increased stability. Presence of hydrophobic ligands on derivatized Fractosil was found to enhance stability of immobilized preparations making them more effective for use in continuous catalytic transformations. It is suggested that adsorptive immobilization of membrane structures such as the human erythrocyte membrane fragments on Fractosil and other inexpensive supports may provide a convenient procedure for utilization of their catalytic potential. Such preparations may be used in diagnostic kits or for construction of biosensors.
