GTP cyclohydrolase I gene polymorphisms are associated with endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: The genetic background of atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is complex and poorly understood. Studying genetic components of intermediate phenotypes, such as endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress, may aid in identifying novel genetic components for atherosclerosis in diabetic patients. METHODS: Five polymorphisms forming two haplotype blocks within the GTP cyclohydrolase 1 gene, encoding a rate limiting enzyme in tetrahydrobiopterin synthesis, were studied in the context of flow and nitroglycerin mediated dilation (FMD and NMD), intima-media thickness (IMT), and plasma concentrations of von Willebrand factor (vWF) and malondialdehyde (MDA). RESULTS: Rs841 was associated with FMD (p = 0.01), while polymorphisms Rs10483639, Rs841, Rs3783641 (which form a single haplotype) were associated with both MDA (p = 0.012, p = 0.0015 and p = 0.003, respectively) and vWF concentrations (p = 0.016, p = 0.03 and p = 0.045, respectively). In addition, polymorphism Rs8007267 was also associated with MDA (p = 0.006). Haplotype analysis confirmed the association of both haplotypes with studied variables. CONCLUSIONS: Genetic variation of the GCH1 gene is associated with endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress in T2DM patients.

Tooth loss among adult rural and urban inhabitants of the Lublin Region.

Dental diseases and tooth loss result in various health, psychological, and even social problems. The objective of the study was determination of the number of missing teeth among adult rural and urban inhabitants of the Lublin Region, and whether or not there is a relationship between missing teeth and place of residence, and other socio-economic factors, such as: gender, age, education level and the occupation performed (farmer/non-farmer). Data concerning the number of missing teeth were collected from 3,388 individuals. The mean number of missing teeth among the respondents in the study was 13.6. This mean value was significantly higher among the rural than urban inhabitants. Tooth loss was significantly more often found among females than males, this relationship being statistically significant only in the subpopulation of rural inhabitants. According to expectations, the largest number of missing teeth was found in respondents aged over 60, among those aged 31-60 this number was nearly 2.5-fold smaller, while the smallest number of missing teeth was observed among respondents aged 18-30. The largest number of missing teeth was noted among respondents who possessed incomplete elementary or elementary education, followed by those with elementary vocational and secondary school/post-secondary school education, whereas this number was the smallest among respondents who had university education level. Farmers had a significantly larger number of missing teeth, compared to respondents who performed non-agricultural occupations. Using an analysis of regression, the relationship was confirmed between the number of missing teeth, and the respondents' gender, age, education level, place of residence, and occupation performed. Discrimination analysis was applied to show the relationship between the occurrence of total edentulism and the respondents' age, gender, education level and place of residence. It was observed that age was the variable which most strongly discriminated the occurrence of this characteristic, followed by education level, as well as gender and place of residence, which were the weakest discriminatory variables.

Different reactivity of the proximal and distal segments of the radial artery to vasoconstrictors in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND: Complete arterial revascularisation using the radial artery (RA) is an attractive alternative to venous graft implantation for the coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). In spite of the favourable long-term results of this approach, the sensitivity of RA to vasoconstriction and spasm is still limiting its use. It has been suggested that vasospastic properties of the artery may differ depending on the location (proximal or distal). AIM: To compare the vasoreactive properties of proximal and distal sections of RA grafts. METHODS: Proximal and distal segments of RA were obtained from 27 patients undergoing CABG and isometric recordings of changes in smooth muscle force were performed mounted in the organ bath. Responses to cumulatively increasing concentrations of phenylephrine (PE), angiotensin II (AT-II), prostaglandin F2 (PGF2) and endothelin-3 (ET-3) were evaluated. RESULTS: Both proximal and distal segments of RA constricted in response to KCl, PE, AT-II, PGF2 and ET-3. Proximal segments demonstrate significantly greater spastic response to KCl, as well as to receptor-mediated agonists PE and more importantly vasoactive peptide AT-II. These differences remained statistically significant after correcting for vessel size and weight. In contrast, reactivity of both segments of RA to increasing cumulative doses of PGF2 and ET-3 was similar. CONCLUSION: Proximal segments of the radial artery are more susceptible to vasoconstriction induced by PE and AT-II, which should be taken into consideration in the clinical setting of CABG surgery. Increased muscle content in this segment does not fully explain this difference, which may result from varying receptor density and properties.