The effects of osteoprotegerin (OPG) gene polymorphism in patients with ischaemic heart disease on the morphology of coronary arteries and bone mineral density.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD) and osteoporosis increases with age, especially in the elderly. Many studies have shown that vessel calcification is associated with low bone mineral density (BMD) and an increased risk of bone fractures. Experimental studies have shown that osteoprotegerin (OPG) gene knockout mice have aortic calcification and osteoporosis at the same time. AIM: To assess the frequency of OPG gene polymorphisms in patients with CAD and to analyse the relationship between the severity of CAD and BMD. METHODS: The study group comprised 31 postmenopausal women (mean age 65.6, range 39-82 years) undergoing elective coronary angiography for CAD symptoms. The BMD was measured at the hip by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Clinical data were collected using a questionnaire developed by the authors which addressed CAD risk factors, treatment, previous diagnosis of osteoporosis and the risk factors of osteoporosis. The control group consisted of 30 postmenopausal women attending the osteoporosis clinic without the history of CAD (mean age 70.5, range 56-84 years). Written informed consent was obtained from all the patients. Genotyping of two polymorphisms 209, 245 in the promoter region and 1181 in the exon of the OPG gene was performed in both groups. RESULTS: Coronary angiography in study group revealed normal coronary arteries in 35% (n = 11) of the women. The analysis of 209 C/T polymorphism showed no presence of TT homozygotes in either group. Also, no significant differences between the 209 C/T polymorphic variants, BMD and progression of atherosclerosis in coronary arteries were found. In both groups no CC homozygous variants for 245 A/C were revealed. However, a statistically significant relationship between 245 A/C polymorphism and BMD was shown. The AC carriers had osteoporosis more frequently (57%) than AA carriers (12%) of the OPG gene (p = 0.0382). There were no significant differences in the OPG gene 245 A/C polymorphisms and CAD progression. Homozygotes for CC 1181 were shown to have normal coronary arteries more frequently (60%) than heterozygotes for CG 1181 (29%; p = 0.0023). We failed to show significant differences between 1181 C/G polymorphism and BMD in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: 1. This study revealed a significant association between homozygotes for AA 245 and normal BMD in study group. 2. The analysis of 209 C/T and 245 C/T C polymorphisms has shown no presence of homozygotes for TT 209 OPG or CC 245 OPG in both groups. 3. Carriers of the homozygous CC 1181 OPG gene were shown to have normal coronary arteries more frequently when compared to heterozygotes for CG or homozygotes for GG.

Association analysis of the polymorphisms of the VDR gene with bone mineral density and the occurrence of fractures.

Associations of the FokI, BsmI, ApaI, and TaqI polymorphisms of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene with the bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar part of the spinal column (BMD LS) and the neck of the femur (BMD FN), and with the occurrence of fractures, were studied using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis on DNA isolated from peripheral blood of 239 women and 40 men from the region of western Poland. Three polymorphisms of the 3' end of the VDR gene (BsmI, ApaI, TaqI) indicated a strong linkage disequilibrium. Association analysis of the VDR gene FokI polymorphism with BMD LS showed a dose effect of allele f. The association of the bAT haplotype of the BsmI, ApaI, and TaqI polymorphisms of the VDR gene with BMD FN was statistically significant. The association of the ApaI polymorphism with the occurrence of fractures was observed. Associations were also observed between the occurrence of fractures and the baT haplotypes of the VDR gene.

Polymorphism of VDR gene--the most effective molecular marker of osteoporotic bone fractures risk within postmenopausal women from Wielkopolska region of Poland.

The major public health problem which will arise is a frequency of osteoporosis. The first manifestations of this disease are often bone fractures. Identification and evaluation of individual bone fracture risk will be the most effective way of solving the problem. Genetic determination of osteoporosis is unquestionable. The aim of this study is to detect which variants of genotypes lead to illness. We investigated 187 patients with osteoporosis (161 women, 26 men) and 19 healthy subjects. Polymorphisms of the following genes were investigated: OPG, VDR, ESR1, TGFB1 COL1A1, and BMP2. The statistically significant relationship between BMD value and T allele of Taq I VDR gene were found. Genotypes: aa, bb, TT of VDR gene occur more frequently in polish osteoporotic population in Wielkopolska region within patients with higher risk of bone fractures.

[Dermatosis bullosa in patient with chronic renal failure under hemodialysis treatment--case report]. / Porfiria skórna pózna u chorej na przewlekla niewydolnosc nerek leczonej zabiegami hemodializ--opis przypadku.

A case of 45-year-old patient with chronic renal failure treated by hemodialysis associated with skin changes typical for porphyria cutanea tarda is reported. The diagnosis was based on clinical manifestations and on histopathologic examination of the skin segment. The skin was low sensitive for UVA rays, serum levels of aluminium and lead were significantly elevated. We did not find porphyrins in the urine (24-hour collection 100 ml) as well as in the dialysis fluid.