ABSTRACT
Background: Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is a major concern among women worldwide. However, the exact mechanisms underlying miscarriage are not well understood. Recent evidence suggests that single nucleotide polymorphisms in various genes, especially miRNAs, may be responsible for RPL. Objective: We surveyed the association between polymorphisms in pre-miR-125a, pre-miR-10a, pre-miR-323b, GPX4, and GPX4 in Iranian women with idiopathic RPL. Materials and Methods: DNA was extracted from blood samples of 116 women with idiopathic RPL and 89 healthy women as controls who had previously had at least two successful pregnancies. Polymerase chain reaction was used for the amplification of the genes. Genotype screening along with SNaPshot were performed to detect different polymorphisms. Finally, the polymorphisms and frequency of each genotype were compared between the two groups. Results: The frequencies of polymorphisms in pre-miR-125a (p < 0.001) and pre-miR-10a (p = 0.04) were calculated among the case and control groups, which showed a statistical difference (p < 0.05), indicating an association between these polymorphisms and the symptoms of RPL. The frequencies of polymorphisms of genotypes in GPX4, COMT and pre-miR-323b did not demonstrate any difference between the two groups. Also, the amount of alleles in pre-miR-125a and pre-miR-10a were significantly different (p < 0.001 and p = 0.02, respectively) and the dominant inheritance model was proposed. Conclusion: In conclusion, pre-miR-125a and pre-miR-10a can be associated with RPL in women. The SNaPshot technique is a valuable tool to evaluate possible associations between polymorphisms and health conditions.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: This study assesses the potential effect of Lactobacillus reuteri as a single strain probiotic preparation (Biogaia®) on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). METHODS: Patients diagnosed with IBS who fulfilled Rome III criteria and consented to participate in this study were randomized to receive either the probiotic or an identical placebo once daily for four weeks. Patients used a questionnaire to record any symptoms and adverse reactions over a one-week run-in period and during the final two weeks of intervention. For each group, we calculated the differences between mean scores of the variables and compared the results between groups. RESULTS: Frequency of defecation increased in the Biogaia® group and decreased in the placebo group meaningfully. But There were no significant difference in the two groups in other terms of bloating, sense of urgency for defecation, abdominal pain, stool shape, quality of defecation, sense of incomplete evacuation, and treatment satisfaction. CONCLUSION: The frequency of defecation increased in the Biogaia® group and decreased in the placebo group, however this study did not classify patients according to diarrhea or constipated subgroups, the efficacy of this drug is not clear. Hence Lactobacillus reuteri was not better than placebo in controlling IBS symptoms in this study. However, considering the significant placebo effect in IBS patients, it may be necessary to conduct studies with larger numbers of participants to better assess the possible beneficial effects of Biogaia.
