RESUMO
PURPOSE: The aim of this case-control study was to determine the impact of environmental factors on the predisposition to develop keratoconus in a sample of Western Algerian population. Subsequently, we were interested in the implication of two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) IL4 rs2070874 and FOXP3 rs3761548, previously described as contributing to the occurrence of allergy, in the development of keratoconus. METHODS: The study included 70 unrelated KC cases and 70 controls originating from Western Algeria. DNA genotyping was done using predesigned probe-based allelic discrimination TaqManâ assays. Allele and genotype frequencies were compared between the cases and controls by Chi-square test and odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: A significant association between risk factors such as family history, atopy, eye rubbing, and the development of keratoconus was found in our sample. Smoking would provide a protective effect against the pathology. No statistically significant differences were found in the allele and genotype frequencies between cases and controls neither for IL4 rs2070874 nor for FOXP3 rs3761548. CONCLUSION: Our study provides, for the first time, a clear demonstration of the absence of association of the allergy-associated IL4 and FOXP3 polymorphisms with KC in a sample from Western Algerian population.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality over the world; intermediate traits associated with CHD commonly studied can be influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. OBJECTIVE: We found previously significant association between three genetic polymorphisms, and the lipid profile variations in the Algerian population. Considering these findings, we therefore decided to assess the relationships between these polymorphisms and CHD risk. METHODS: We performed a population-based, cross-sectional study, of 787 individuals recruited in the city of Oran, in which, a nested case-control study for MetS, T2D, HBP, obesity and CHD were performed. Subjects were genotyped for four SNP rs7412, rs429358 rs4420638 and rs439401 located in the 19q13.32 region. RESULTS: The T allele of rs439401 confers a high risk of hypertension with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.46 (95% CI [1.12-1.9], p = 0.006) and the G allele of rs4420638 was significantly associated with a decreased risk of obesity, OR 0.48 (95% CI [0.29-0.81], p = 0.004). No associations were found for MetS, T2D and CHD. CONCLUSION: Although the studied genetic variants were not associated with the risk of CHD, the 19q13.32 locus was associated with some of the cardiometabolic disorders in Algerian subjects.
