Genotypic diversity of the Killer Cell Immunoglobulin-like Receptors (KIR) and their HLA class I Ligands in a Saudi population.

Killer Cell Immunoglobulin-like Receptors (KIR) have been used as good markers for the study of genetic predisposition in many diseases and in human genetic population dynamics. In this context, we have investigated the genetic diversity of KIR genes and their main HLA class I ligands in Saudi population and compared the data with other studies of neighboring populations. One hundred and fourteen randomly selected healthy Saudi subjects were genotyped for the presence or absence of 16 KIR genes and their HLA-C1, -C2, -Bw4Thr80 and Bw4Ile80 groups, using a PCR-SSP technique. The results show the occurrence of the framework genes (3DL2, 3DL3 and 2DL4) and the pseudogenes (2DP1 and 3DP1) at highest frequencies. All inhibitory KIR (iKIR) genes appeared at higher frequencies than activating genes (aKIR), except for 2DS4 with a frequency of 90.35%. A total of 55 different genotypes were observed appearing at different frequencies, where 12 are considered novel. Two haplotypes were characterized, AA and Bx (BB and AB), which were observed in 24.5% and 75.5% respectively of the studied group. The frequencies of iKIR + HLA associations were found to be much higher than aKIR + HLA. KIR genes frequencies in the Saudi population are comparable with other Middle Eastern and North African populations.

Role of the antidiabetic drugs: Glibenclamide and metformin on the contractility of isolated rat uteri.

The current investigation has designed to study the role of two antidiabetics, glibenclamide and metformin on the spontaneous uterine contractions in the non-diabetic non-pregnant female rats. The rat uteri were isolated and allocated to two groups: 1)the glibenclamide group: After recording the normal spontaneous uterine contractions, the vehicle (ethanol) and glibenclamide molar concentrations (10(-7), 10(-6) and 10(-5) M) were analyzed on uterine contractions by recording on smoked paper on a rotating kymograph drum, and 2) the metformin group: After recording the normal spontaneous uterine contractions, the metformin concentrations (10(-7), 10(-6) and 10(-5) M) were analyzed on uterine contractions. Responses to the two drugs and vehicle control (ethanol) were recorded for 30 min. Glibenclamide has not significantly effected on the amplitude and frequency of spontaneous contractions of the isolated rat uteri. Metformin also has no significant effect on the amplitude and frequency of spontaneous contractions of the isolated rat uteri. In conclusion, the two oral antidiabetics glibenclamide and metformin have not changed both the amplitude and frequency of spontaneous uterine contractions in the non-pregnant non-diabetic female rats.