The potential role of miR-27a and miR-320a in metabolic syndrome in obese Egyptian females.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a combination of many health complications, such as obesity, high blood pressure, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, and insulin resistance, with an increasing threat of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular diseases. As the MetS develops, an alteration in the expression of some genes regulated by circulating microRNAs may also develop as a consequence. TaqMan microRNA primers specific for both miR-27a and miR-320a were used to estimate their expression levels in plasma samples collected from two groups: obese females with metabolic syndrome (n = 49) and lean healthy female volunteers (n = 23), to detect if their expression levels were deregulated with MetS. RESULTS: The study results revealed that miR-27a was upregulated in the plasma of MetS group compared to the healthy controls, while miR-320a was downregulated (p ≤ 0.005). There was a highly significantly positive correlation between miR-27a expression and body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), fasting blood glucose (FBG), insulin resistance (represented as HOMA-IR), and triglycerides (TG), while it showed significantly negative correlation only with HDL-cholesterol (p ≤ 0.0001). miR-320a showed significantly negative correlation with BMI, WC, waist-hip ratio (WHR), FBG, HOMA-IR, and TG. The expression value of miR-320a was positively correlated with HDL-cholesterol. Area under the curves (AUC) was equal to 1.000 for both microRNAs. CONCLUSION: Our study added more evidence that monitoring changes in expression levels of both miR-27a and miR-320a in MetS patients could help in the evaluation of disease progression, risk, and susceptibility.

Assessing the association of rs7574865 STAT4 gene variant and type 1 diabetes mellitus among Egyptian patients.

BACKGROUND: Variants in the signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4) gene have an important role in the incident of multiple autoimmune diseases including type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D). It is a genetically related auto-immune disorder that resulted from T cell-mediated destruction of pancreatic cells that are in control for the production of insulin in the blood. The current study aimed to clarify the role of STAT4 (rs7574865) variant allelic and genotypic variations in the susceptibility to type 1 diabetes among Egyptians by using the real-time PCR. RESULTS: A total of 100 patients and 100 controls were genotyped for rs7574865, and the biochemical and anthropometric parameters were measured to show that type 1 diabetic patients had significantly higher levels of HbA1c and triglycerides compared to non-diabetic individuals (P < 0.05). And genetically, the T allele and GT genotype have a significant correlation with diabetes type 1. CONCLUSION: It was confirmed by this study that the rs7574865 T allele and GT genotype have a significant correlation with diabetes type 1 incidence among Egyptian patients.

Inflammatory and endothelial dysfunction indices among Egyptian females with obesity classes I-III.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is an alarming threat to health in Egypt. More than one in three Egyptians is obese, the highest rate in the world. We aimed to delineate the variability of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction markers among Egyptian females with different obesity classes. METHODS: Out of 130 females, 70 were categorized into three obesity groups: Class I, body mass index (BMI) 30-34.9 kg/m2; Class II, BMI 35-39.9 kg/m2 and Class III BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2, besides 60 control subjects. Anthropometric measurements were recorded and serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL) 6 (IL-6), IL-12, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM-1) and soluble vascular adhesion molecule 1 (sVCAM-1) were assessed among participants. RESULTS: In all three classes of obesity, significant increase (P <0.05) in BMI, waist-hip ratio, fat mass and body fat mass % were noted. CRP and sVCAM-1 levels were increased among the three obesity groups. TNF-α levels were increased in class II and III obesity groups. IL-6 and IL-12 levels were elevated in class I and class III groups. While, ICAM-1 levels were increased in class III obesity group. CONCLUSION: Based on individuals' BMI, serum levels of TNF-α, CRP, IL-6, IL-12, sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1 are differentially altered with the progression of obesity. We strongly support the hypothesis that, as the obesity rate is still mounting, a subclinical inflammatory reaction has a role in pathogenesis of obesity and emphasize the elevation of endothelial dysfunction in individuals with obesity.

Serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Egyptian Obese Women with Insulin Resistance.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a major factor in the development of several sub-clinical anomalies. Insulin resistance (IR) is associated with obesity. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a significant role in inflammation and vascular neogenesis. However the precise relationships of its levels with clinical, lipid, and metabolic profiles are unknown. AIM: This study aimed to examine the association between serum VEGF concentrations with IR risk and metabolic and lipid parameters in obese women. METHODS: Serum VEGF, metabolic biomarkers and anthropometry were measured in 83 obese women with IR and 50 healthy women. Fat distributions in the abdominal, subcutaneous and visceral area were assessed. Homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) was calculated. For analytical purposes, VEGF levels were categorised into three tertiles groups. RESULTS: Obese women with IR showed significantly higher levels of serum VEGF as compared with the control group. Moreover, obese women in the highest VEGF tertile had significantly higher values of obesity indices, visceral fat index, abnormal lipid levels and HOMA-IR compared to with those in the lower tertile. CONCLUSION: Elevated VEGF levels are associated with IR and high visceral fat index in obese women which in turn increased the risk for metabolic complications.

Immunological Evaluation in Patients with Familial Mediterranean fever.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate T & B lymphocyte subsets and Natural Killer (NK) cells patterns in children with FMF versus normal control subjects, to estimate the immunoglobulins IgG, IgM, and IgA levels, and to scrutinize the possible use of Neutrophil / Lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as a marker for subclinical inflammation in FMF patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A group of 42 patients with FMF attending the Genetics Clinic at National Research Centre were included in this study. They were 13 males and 19 females; their age ranged from 2 to 17 years old. Normal healthy subjects within the same age and sex range were included as a control group. Complete blood picture was done for all cases, and neutrophil/ lymphocyte ratio was calculated. Flow cytometer analysis was done for CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19 and CD16 using monoclonal antibodies. Immunoglobulins IgG, IgA and IgM were estimated in serum using nephelometry. RESULTS: Positive consanguinity was present in 20 patients (47.6%). Abdominal pain was the most common manifestation followed by fever, arthritis, and red rash. CD3, CD4 and CD8 were statistically increased in patients group as compared to normal control group, while CD16 was statistically decreased. CONCLUSION: The study suggests that quantitative measurement of CD expressions of CD3, CD4 and CD8 as well as NLR might be used as valuable markers for subclinical inflammation in FMF.

Association analysis of FTO gene polymorphisms and obesity risk among Egyptian children and adolescents.

Obesity is a common disorder that has a significant impact on human health as it may lead to many serious diseases and sometimes morbidity. Previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS) confirmed that there is a relationship between some variants in the first intron of the fat mass and obesity associated (FTO) gene and obesity in adults and children in different ethnic groups. In our study, the association of the FTO rs9939609 and rs17817449 variants with obesity was investigated in Egyptian children and adolescents. We examined rs9939609 and rs17817449 polymorphisms in 100 control and 100 obese cases, we used the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) technique to genotype the samples. The current study showed that there were no significant differences (P > 0.05) between the cases and controls in both variants of rs17817449 and rs9939609 polymorphisms. However, there were significant correlations between rs17817449 and cholesterol and between rs9939609 and LDL. In Current Study although the two variants (rs9939609 and rs17817449) didn't show an association with obesity, but there was a correlation between the lipid profile and these two variants.

The Validity of Body Adiposity Indices in Predicting Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components among Egyptian Women.

AIM: To assess the associations between the body adiposity indices and risk of metabolic syndrome (MS) and its components in Egyptian women and to evaluate their predictive power. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional analysis performed on 180 Egyptian women aged between 25-35 years. They were 90 women with MS diagnosed by International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and 90 healthy age matched controls. Body adiposity index (BAI), body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio (WHR) and waist to height ratio (WHtR) were calculated and serum samples were analyzed for metabolic parameters. Receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) was used to determine the discriminatory capacity of BAI, WHR WHtR and BMI for MS. RESULTS: Area under the curve (AUC) was highest for BIA, followed by WHR, WHtR and then BMI. All adiposity indices were significantly correlated with metabolic components and BAI had the highest correlation coefficients compared to other indices. CONCLUSION: BAI is a practical predictor for MS and has satisfactory diagnostic accuracy for diagnosing MS among Egyptian women and can be used in addition to WHR, WHtR and BMI for identifying MS in the field studies.

Indicators of the metabolic syndrome in obese adolescents.

INTRODUCTION: To assess the prevalence of metabolic risk indicators for the metabolic syndrome (MS) in a sample of obese Egyptian adolescents and to compare anthropometric and biochemical parameters in subjects with one or two parameters of the MS with those who meet MS criteria. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted on 300 obese adolescents, with a mean age of 15.45 ±2.54 years. Variables examined included body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist to hip ratio (WHR), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP), fasting blood glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), insulin and insulin resistance (IR) measured by Homeostasis Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine the predictive powers of anthropometric parameters associated with increased risk for the MS. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of the MS was 20%. Individuals meeting 3 or more MS criteria had significantly higher levels of BP, TG, glucose, insulin and HOMA-R and low HDL levels compared with those who had 1 or 2 MS criteria. Area under the curve (AUC) for identifying the MS risk factors was the highest for WHR, followed by WC and BMI in both genders (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The most prevalent metabolic risk factors that compose the MS were arterial hypertension, low HDL and hypertriglyceridemia; BMI tended to be the weakest index for identifying MS risk factors, while WHR was the best predictive index in both genders.

Effects of whole body vibration and resistance training on bone mineral density and anthropometry in obese postmenopausal women.

Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of two exercise programs, whole body vibration and resistance training on bone mineral density (BMD) and anthropometry in obese postmenopausal women. Material and Methods. Eighty Egyptian obese postmenopausal women were enrolled in this study; their age ranged from 50 to 68 years. Their body mass index ranged (30-36 kg/m(2)). The exercise prescription consisted of whole body vibration (WBV) and resistance training. Bone mineral density (BMD) and anthropometrical parameters were measured at the beginning and at the end of the study. Changes from baseline to eight months in BMD and anthropometric parameters were investigated. Results. BMD at the greater trochanter, at ward's triangle, and at lumbar spine were significantly higher after physical training, using both WBV and resistive training. Moreover, both exercise programs were effective in BMI and waist to the hip ratio. Simple and multiple regression analyses showed significant associations between physical activity duration and BMD at all sites. The highest values of R (2) were found for the models incorporating WBV plus BMI. Conclusion. The study suggests that both types of exercise modalities had a similar positive effect on BMD at all sites in obese postmenopausal women. Significant association was noted between physical activity and anthropometric variables and BMD measures at all sites.

Association of serum paraoxonase enzyme activity and oxidative stress markers with dyslipidemia in obese adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to investigate the serum paraoxonase 1 (PON1) concentration and oxidative stress markers and assess its relations with the biochemical parameters in obese adolescents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and fifty obese adolescents (range 16-18 years) and 150 healthy age- and sex-matched controls were enrolled in the study. The data were extracted from a project entitled "Obesity among Youth: Lifestyle and Genetic Factors" funded by the Science and Technology Development Fund, Egypt. Serum paraoxonase 1 (PON1), nitric oxide (NO), and malonaldehyde were measured. Anthropometry, fasting glucose, insulin concentrations, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, triglycerides, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) were measured. Insulin resistance was determined by Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). Diagnostic accuracy of oxidative markers to identify dyslipidemia was calculated with ROC analysis. RESULTS: The study showed that PON1 activity was significantly lower in obese adolescents than controls. Obese adolescents had significant lower NO level and significant increased MA values as compared to controls. PON1 was negatively correlated with MAD and body mass index in obese subjects. Obese adolescents showed dyslipidemia and increased blood pressure and HOMA-IR values. PON1 had high area under the curve in ROC analysis for identifying dyslipidemia in obese subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that obese subjects have increased oxidative stress and decreased PON1 activity. The lower paraoxonase level might contribute to the greater risk of dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, high blood pressure that are considered as important components in the pathogenesis of the metabolic syndrome in obese adolescents.

Evaluating the association of APOA2 polymorphism with insulin resistance in adolescents.

BACKGROUND: 265T>C SNP in the APOA-II gene promoter may be associated with obesity risk and insulin resistance (IR). This study aims to analyze the association between the APOA2 - 265T>C SNP and risk for obesity and IR in adolescents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 500 adolescents. They were 240 obese and 260 non-obese individuals, aged 16-21 years old. Their mean age was 18.25 ± 2.54 years. Variables examined body weight, height, waist circumference (WC), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP), body fat percentage (BF%), and abdominal visceral fat layer. Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) was used as a biomarker for IR. BF% was assessed by body composition analyzer and abdominal visceral fat thickness was determined by ultrasonography. The APOA2 - 265T>C polymorphism genotype was analyzed by PCR amplification of a 273-bp fragment. RESULTS: Genotype frequencies were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The frequency of the mutant C allele was significantly higher in obese cases than non-obese cases. After multivariate adjustment, waist, BF%, visceral adipose layer and HOMA-IR were significantly higher in homozygous allele CC carriers than TT + TC carriers. Homozygous individuals for the CC allele had statistically higher values of energy intake, total fat (g/day) and saturated fat (SATFAT) than carriers of the T allele. CONCLUSIONS: Homozygous individuals for the C allele had higher obesity risk than carriers of the T allele and had elevated levels of visceral adipose tissue. Moreover, the present study shows that the CC polymorphism is associated with the development of IR [OR 1.89 (1.35-2.91), P = .012] and remains significant after adjusting for gender, age and body mass index.

Body composition in Egyptian Turner syndrome girls.

OBJECTIVE: This cross-sectional study was undertaken to construct the new body fat % curve and provide body composition reference data for adolescent girls with Turner syndrome (TS). They diagnosed cytogenetically by blood karyotyping and not treated with growth hormone (GH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 70 TS girls from age 13 years to age 17 years. Body composition was measured by bioelectrical impedance. Smoothed centile charts were derived by using the least mean square (LMS) method. RESULTS: The new body fat curves reflect the increase of body fat mass (FM) from age 13 years to age 17 years. Body FM % of Egyptian TS girls was lower when compared with age-matched American untreated TS girls. CONCLUSION: This study presents the new body fat curves and reference values of body composition for untreated Egyptian TS adolescent girls. The present charts can be used for direct assessment of body FM % for Egyptian TS girls and evaluation for cases on GH treatment or other growth promoting therapy.

APOA2 Polymorphism in Relation to Obesity and Lipid Metabolism.

Objectives. This study aims to analysis the relationship between c.-492T>C polymorphism in APOA2 gene and the risk for obesity in a sample of Egyptian adolescents and investigates its effect on body fat distribution and lipid metabolism. Material and Methods. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted on 303 adolescents. They were 196 obese and 107 nonobese, aged 16-19 years old. Variables examined included body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist to hip ratio (WHR), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP), body fat percentage (BF%), abdominal visceral fat layer, and dietary intake. Abdominal visceral fat thickness was determined by ultrasonography. The polymorphism in the APOA2 c.-492T>C was analyzed by PCR amplification. Results. Genotype frequencies were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The frequency of the mutant C allele was significantly higher in obese cases compared to nonobese. After multivariate adjustment, waist, BF% and visceral adipose layer, food consumption, and HDL-C were significantly higher in homozygous allele CC carriers than TT+TC carriers. Conclusions. Homozygous individuals for the C allele had higher obesity risk than carriers of the T allele and had elevated levels of visceral adipose tissue and serum HDL-C. Moreover, the study shows association between the APOA2 c.-492T>C polymorphism and food consumption.

Metabolic syndrome components in obese Egyptian children.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Obesity is one of the most serious global health issues. The aim of this study was to assess the association between obesity and different components of metabolic syndrome among obese school children aged 7 to 9 years, and to identify associated clinical and biochemical characteristics. DESIGN AND SETTING: Case-control study among children attending Al-Zahraa Hospital Outpatient Clinic March 2010. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study included 60 obese children (28 boys and 32 girls) and 50 non-obese controls (25 boys and 25 girls). Anthropometry, fasting glucose, insulin concentrations, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) were measured. Insulin resistance was determined by Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). Subcutaneous and visceral fat thicknesses were measured ultrasonographically. Metabolic syndrome (MS) was defined according to the Cook criteria. RESULTS: MS was found in 25% of obese cases. Obese children showed significantly higher values in waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, levels of systolic and diastolic BP, insulin, HOMA-IR and LDL compared to their lean controls. HDL was significantly lower in obese children compared to controls. Obese children with MS had significantly higher values of body mass index standard deviation score (SDS), skinfold thickness, visceral fat thickness, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic BP, HOMA-IR, insulin and triglycerides compared to obese children without MS, whereas HDL was significantly lower. Obese children with MS had a high prevalence of hypertension and dyslipidemia compared to children without MS. Results showed positive relationships between visceral fat and waist circumference as well as with insulin level in obese children (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of the MS is considerable among obese Egyptian children. Abdominal obesity and high HOMA-IR values were the most frequent components of this syndrome among obese children. The study suggests that increased degree of insulin resistance is associated with a heightened risk of suffering MS.

A cephalometric study of skulls from the Bahriyah oasis.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the craniofacial characteristics of crania from the Bahariyah oasis dating from the Greco-Roman period and to compare their cephalometric traits with other ancient Egyptian samples from various time periods and to evaluate sexual dimorphism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample comprised 149 skulls (90 males and 59 females), belonging to the Greco-Roman (332 B.C. - 395 A.D.). Lateral and postero-anterior cephalograms were taken. Sixteen linear measurements were analyzed and six indices were calculated. RESULTS: Significant differences were found between males and females almost in all measurements. All male measurements were greater than those of the females. The study shows notable differences in the craniofacial parameters of the present sample as compared to other ancient Egyptians from various periods and from various geographical areas. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that the studied crania from Bahriyah oasis had a specific craniometric phenotype, which is distinguished from other Egyptian samples from different periods, suggesting some migration could have occurred along the Egyptian Nile Valley over various times.

The relationship between overjet size and dentoalveolar compensation.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of overjet size and the dento-alveolar compensation in subjects with normal class I molar relationship. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Lateral cephalometric head records of 59 Egyptian children (34 boys and 25 girls) aged 7.5 to 10.5 years with mean age of 8.69+/-0.73. All had normal class I type of occlusion. The sample was classified into four quartiles according to the overjet size and the cephalometric analysis was based on seven linear and eight angular measurements using a dental tracer programme. RESULTS: showed that, in spite of presence of high significant over jet size differences between the groups; there was no significant differences in all the studied parameters were found. Applying the least significant differences (LSD) test and coefficient correlations between the studied parameters clarifying that there was a significant differences in angular measurements (SN-AB, SN-Occl, I-I, I-ML, I-NB). CONCLUSION: during transitional dentition there was a sufficient dento-alveolar adaptation to growth changes in the saggittal jaw relation ship to attain normal class I type of occlusion. This compensation is pronounced in angular parameters and clustered in the lower arches particularly in incisal area.