Association between the Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist (IL1RN) Variable Number of Tandem Repeats (VNTR) Polymorphism and Lymphoma.

Introduction: Lymphoma is a common hematopoietic cancer. Immunosuppression is one of the main risk factors for the development of lymphoma. The interleukin (IL)-1 receptor antagonist IL1RN, which binds to the IL-1 receptor, moderates a variety of immune responses related to IL-1. We aimed to assess the impact of IL1RN variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) polymorphism on lymphoma risk in an Iranian population sample. Materials and Methods: DNA was extracted from peripheral blood of 120 subjects with non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL), 50 subjects with Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL), and 186 unrelated healthy individuals. IL1RN VNTR polymorphism was detected using polymerase chain reaction. Results: Our findings revealed that the IL1RN VNTR polymorphism was associated with protection against NHL (P≤0.001, OR: 0.30, 95% CI: 0.18-0.53). The IL1RN 2 allele significantly decreased the risk of NHL (p = 0.023, OR = 0.66, 95%CI = 0.46-0.93). In addition, we found that IL1RN 1/2 was associated with a lower risk of HL (p ≤0.001, OR = 0.24, 95%CI = 0.12-0.50). Conclusion: Our results suggest that the presence of IL1RN VNTR polymorphism is associated with a decreased risk of lymphoma in an Iranian subpopulation in southeast Iran.

Association between the IL-1A, IL-1B and IL-1R polymorphisms and lymphoma.

We investigate the impact of IL-1A, IL-1B and IL-1R1 polymorphism on lymphoma. This study consisted of 155 Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) patients 55 Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) patients and 150 healthy individuals. PCR-RFLP method and ARMS PCR were used for genotyping of IL-1A rs3783553, IL-1B rs3917356, rs16944, IL-1R1 rs10490571 and IL-1A rs3783550 polymorphism. The results showed that the CC genotype of rs3783550 as well Ins/del of rs3783553 increased the risk of NHL. In contrast the AG genotype of rs3917356 and AG also AG + AA genotype of rs10490571 decreased the risk of NHL. The result revealed that the CC genotype of rs3783550 and AG genotype of rs3917356 increased risk of HL.

C677T and A1298C polymorphisms of methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase in non-Hodgkin lymphoma: southeast Iran.

PURPOSE: Polymorphisms of the methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene have been reported as risk factors for non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in some populations. Our goal was to evaluate the potential role of A1298C and C677T polymorphisms of MTHFR in risk of NHL in southeast Iran. METHODS: In the present case-control study, 127 patients with newly diagnosed NHL along with 150 ethnicity- and age-matched controls were examined. The A1298C and C677T polymorphisms were genotyped using the Tetra Amplification Refractory Mutation System polymerase chain reaction method. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in genotype frequencies between cases and controls regarding either A1298C polymorphism. For this polymorphism, 53.8% of the controls and 54.3% of the patients with NHL showed homozygous wild-type (AA) genotype. Variant 1298C allele was recognized with overall frequency of 34.6% in both groups. Frequencies of CC, CT, and TT genotypes of C677T polymorphism were observed in 73.1%, 25.8%, and 1.3% of the controls, and 64.5%, 33.1%, and 2.4% of the patients with NHL (p>0.05). In combination, CT + TT conferred a significantly higher risk of NHL (odds ratio [OR] 1.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.9-2.4, p = 0.03). Overall, variant 677T allele presented with higher frequency in the patients with NHL than the controls (26.7% versus 21.3%, respectively; OR 1.3, 95% CI 0.8-2.1, p>0.05). Although statistically insignificant, the highest risk of NHL was identified in patients with C677T; A1298C: CT; CC haplotype (OR 4.7, 95% CI 0.4-46.4, p = 0.1). CONCLUSIONS: Combination of CT and TT genotypes of C677T polymorphism conferred a significantly higher risk for NHL. It is recommended to investigate further the potential role of this polymorphism in NHL development.

Factors associated with contraceptive use in Tehran, Iran.

OBJECTIVES: In spite of the government's efforts, the prevalence of contraceptive use in Iran is only 55.4%. Health concerns, side effects, failure of the methods and some demographic issues, among which education, age, and number of daughters, have a great influence on the enforcement of contraceptive measures. The aim of the present study was to identify factors affecting contraceptive use in Iran. METHODS: Data from the project 'The study of contraceptive practice in Tehran, 1999-2000' were analyzed with regard to the factors associated with contraceptive use by Iranian couples. A total of 4042 women at reproductive ages who had delivered in one of the 12 teaching hospitals of Tehran and had at least one child that lived for at least 24 hours after birth, were interviewed using a questionnaire that gathered information about their socio-demographic status, fertility history, and other characteristics. RESULTS: Using a multinomial logistic regression, it was found that the woman's age, her own or her husband's level of education, previous awareness about contraceptive methods, number of abortions, and number of sons and daughters were factors that were significantly associated with contraceptive use. CONCLUSIONS: A number of factors affect the application of contraceptive measures. It is essential that health policy makers be aware of these to promote contraception and population control.