Association of MTHFR C677T, MTHFR A1298C, and MTRR A66G Polymorphisms with Neural Tube Defects in Tunisian Parents.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the association of 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR C677T and A1298C) and methionine synthase reductase (MTRR A66G) gene polymorphisms with neural tube defects (NTDs) in a Tunisian population. METHODS: Genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction with restriction fragment length polymorphisms (PCR-RFLPs) using the restriction enzymes. Allele and genotype frequencies were compared between mothers and fathers of fetuses with NTDs with matched controls based on an association analysis using SPSS software. RESULTS: MTHFR (C677T, A1298C) and MTRR A66G polymorphisms were found to be protector factors for NTD fetuses in the mother group. In addition, a combination of the three wild-type alleles C677/A1298/A66 has increased four-fold the incidence of NTDs (p = 0.004, OR = 3.96, 95% CI: 1.53-10.23). In the father group, MTHFR C677T was a risk factor for NTDs. However, no association was found between MTHFR A1298C, MTRR A66G, and the occurrence of this anomaly. The analysis of MTHFR C677T and MTRR A66G polymorphisms has demonstrated a significant difference in vitamin B12 levels between recessive and dominant genotypes in case mothers (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Additional studies are required to better understand the roles of parental gene polymorphisms related to folate-homocysteine metabolism in the pathogenesis of NTD.

Associations of rs1883832 and rs4810485 polymorphisms of CD40 gene with myocardial infarction in the Tunisian population.

Context: Cluster of differentiation 40 (CD40), and its ligand CD40L, are major co-stimulatory molecules whose interactions are important in both cellular and humoral immunity, and has been suggested to play a role in the pathogenesis of acute coronary syndrome. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the association of CD40 polymorphisms (-1 C>T (rs1883832) and 945G>T (rs4810485)) and myocardial infarction (MI), and to test the association of CD40 gene haplotypes with MI in Tunisians. Materials and methods: Three hundred and fifty MI patients and 301 apparently healthy controls were included in the study. The polymorphisms of CD40 were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Results: There were significant differences in the genotype and allele frequencies of CD40 gene -1 C>T (rs1883832) polymorphism between cases and controls. Stratifying according to gender, the association between the TT genotype and MI was statistically significant in males, only. Haplotype analysis revealed that the C-T and T-G haplotypes were associated with an increased risk of MI (p = 0.012 and p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusions: Our work showed a significant association between the -1 C>T (rs1883832) polymorphism of the CD40 gene and MI in the Tunisians.

The rs9939609 polymorphism in the fat mass and obesity associated (FTO) gene is associated with obesity in Tunisian population.

CONTEXT: Variations in the fat mass and obesity-associated gene (FTO) has been associated with obesity in many populations, but the results are conflicting. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the rs9939609 polymorphism in the FTO gene on obesity risk and plasma leptin, adiponectin, insulin and lipid concentrations in Tunisians. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four hundred and ninety-four subjects with obesity and 334 non-obese participated in this study. The rs9939609 (T/A) genotype was determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. RESULTS: Significant differences in genotype frequencies were observed between cases and controls. In the separate analysis by gender, the association between the AA genotype and obesity was statistically significant in women but not in men. After stratification by obesity class this association remains only with obesity class III. DISCUSSION: Our study is in agreement with studies on Caucasian, Portuguese and Cebu Filipino populations where a gender-specific association was found between rs9939609 polymorphism and obesity. It is also in agreement with studies on Mexican, Spanish and European populations, where an association was found with obesity class III. CONCLUSION: The rs9939609 polymorphism of FTO gene is associated with obesity, especially obesity class III in women.

Haplotype-based association of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor gene polymorphisms with urothelial bladder cancer risk in Tunisian population.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Accumulated data suggested that Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor is a major mediator in vasculogenesis, angiogenesis and recently in tumorigenesis. Therefore, we aimed to investigate for the first time the association between VEGF gene variants (-2549I/D (rs35569394), -2578C/A (rs699947), and +936C/T (rs3025039)) with urothelial bladder cancer (UBC) in Tunisian population. METHODS: A total of 218 UBC patients and 204 controls were recruited and genotyped by Polymerase Chain Reaction technique. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to access the association between the VEGFA gene polymorphisms and UBC. RESULTS: We found a significant decreased risk association of -2578 C/A polymorphism with UBC (OR (95% CI), 0.62 (0.41-0.94), P = .026) for CA genotype and (OR (95% CI), 0.40 (0.21-0.76), P = .005) for double homozygous mutant genotype. No associations were found in case of both polymorphic sites of VEGF, vis. -2549I/D and +936C/T, respectively. Haplotype analysis revealed a strong linkage disequilibrium between -2578C/A and -2549I/D and CIC combination is the significant haplotype associated with increased risk of UBC (OR (95% CI), 3.63 (1.47-8.97), P = .005). Regarding tumor grade/stage and family history of cancer, no associations were found for -2578C/A polymorphism. CONCLUSION: CIC haplotype of VEGF gene may be important risk factor for UBC development in Tunisia.