PNPLA3 I148M polymorphism is associated with elevated alanine transaminase levels in Mexican Indigenous and Mestizo populations

The patatin like phospholipase domain-containing (PNPLA3) I148M variant is the strongest genetic factor associated with elevated alanine transaminase (ALT) levels in different populations, particularly in Hispanics who have the highest 148M risk allele frequency reported to date. It has been suggested that Indigenous ancestry is associated with higher ALT levels in Mexicans. The aim of the present study was to assess the frequency of the PNPLA3 148M risk allele in Mexican indigenous and Mestizo individuals, and to examine its association with serum ALT levels. The study included a total of 1624 Mexican individuals: 919 Indigenous subjects from five different native groups and 705 Mexican Mestizo individuals (141 cases with ALT levels ≥40 U/L and 564 controls with ALT <40 U/L). The I148M polymorphism was genotyped by TaqMan assays. The frequency of elevated ALT levels in Indigenous populations was 18.7 %, and varied according to obesity status: 14.4 % in normal weight, 19.9 % in overweight and 24.5 % in obese individuals. The Mexican indigenous populations showed the highest reported frequency of the PNPLA3 148M risk allele (mean 0.73). The M148M genotype was significantly associated with elevated ALT levels in indigenous individuals (OR = 3.15, 95 % CI 1.91–5.20; P = 7.1 × 10^?6) and this association was confirmed in Mexican Mestizos (OR = 2.24, 95 % CI 1.50–3.33; P = 8.1 × 10^?5). This is the first study reporting the association between M148M genotype and elevated ALT levels in Indigenous Mexican populations. The 148M allele risk may be considered an important risk factor for liver damage in Mexican indigenous and Mestizo populations.     

The effect of XPD/ERCC2 Lys751Gln polymorphism on acute leukemia risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Aims

Epidemiological studies have assessed the association between xeroderma pigmentosum group D (XPD) Lys751Gln and acute leukemia risk with conflicting results. We performed this meta-analysis to derive a more precise estimation of the relationship. Pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was used to assess the strength of the association.

Results

Ten published case–control studies including a total of 1494 cases and 2259 controls were identified. Overall, significant risk effects of Lys751Gln genotype was found under the dominant model (OR = 1.16; 95% CI = 1.01–1.34; P = 0.032). When stratified by clinical types, the variant genotype was associated with the acute myeloid leukemia (AML) risk under the heterozygote comparison (OR = 1.20; 95% CI = 1.00–1.43; P = 0.048), the homozygote comparison (OR = 1.35; 95% CI = 1.05–1.74; P = 0.019) and the dominant model (OR = 1.23; 95% CI = 1.04–1.45; P = 0.015), respectively. Furthermore, significantly increased risks were also pronounced in Caucasian AML patients (the homozygote comparison: OR = 1.38; 95% CI = 1.07–1.78; P = 0.013; the dominant model: OR = 1.23; 95% CI = 1.03–1.46; P = 0.020; and the recessive model: OR = 1.26; 95% CI = 1.00–1.60; P = 0.050). No evident heterogeneities were observed for the overall data under all genetic models. In addition, no statistical evidence for publication bias was found using the method of Begg's and Egger's tests.

Conclusion

This meta-analysis suggested that XPD Lys751Gln polymorphism might be a risk factor for AML and Caucasian acute leukemia patients.     

The interleukin-4 − 589C/T polymorphism and the risk of asthma: A meta-analysis including 7345 cases and 7819 controls

Background

A number of studies assessed the association of − 589C/T polymorphism in the promoter region of interleukin-4 (IL-4) with asthma in different populations. However, the results were contradictory. A meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the association between polymorphism in the IL-4 and asthma susceptibility.

Methods

Databases including Pubmed, EMBASE, Wanfang Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Weipu Database were searched to find relevant studies. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the strength of associations.

Results

Thirty-four studies involving 7345 cases and 7819 controls were included. Overall, significant association between − 589C/T polymorphism and asthma was observed for TT + CT vs. CC (OR = 1.26; 95% CI 1.12–1.42; P = 0.0001; I² = 26%). In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, significant associations were found among Asians (OR = 1.36; 95% CI 1.07–1.73; P = 0.01; I² = 0%) and Caucasians (OR = 1.30; 95% CI 1.09–1.54; P = 0.004; I² = 53%) but not among African Americans (OR = 1.20; 95% CI 0.72–2.00; P = 0.48; I² = 48%). In the subgroup analysis by atopic status, no significant association was found among atopic asthma patients (OR = 1.20; 95% CI 0.92–1.34; P = 0.27; I² = 6%) and non-atopic asthma patients (OR = 0.97; 95% CI 0.73–1.28; P = 0.81; I² = 0%).

Conclusions

This meta-analysis suggested that the IL-4 − 589C/T polymorphism was a risk factor of asthma.     

Vitamin D status and vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to type 1 diabetes in Egyptian children

Background

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is recognized as a T-cell-mediated autoimmune disease. Vitamin D compounds are known to suppress T-cell activation by binding to vitamin D receptor (VDR); and thus, VDR gene polymorphisms may be related to T-cell-mediated autoimmune diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between vitamin D status and VDR gene polymorphisms and T1DM.

Materials and methods

One hundred and twenty patients with T1DM and one hundred and twenty controls were enrolled in the study. VDR gene BsmI, FokI, ApaI and TaqI polymorphisms were determined using polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) was determined using ELISA.

Result

Serum 25(OH)D levels revealed a vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency in 75% of the patients. The mean levels of vitamin D were significantly lower in patients as compared to their controls (P = < 0.001). VDR BsmI Bb and bb genotypes and VDR FokI Ff and ff genotypes were associated with increased risk of T1DM (OR = 2.3, 95% CI = 1.3–4.2, P = 0.005; OR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.1–4.7, P = 0.04; OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.03–3.04, P = 0.04; OR = 4.03, 95% CI = 1.2–13.1, P = 0.01 respectively), while the VDR ApaI and TaqI polymorphisms were not.

Conclusion

Our study indicated that vitamin D deficiency and VDR BsmI and FokI polymorphisms were associated with T1DM in Egyptian children.     

Combined effect between CHRNB3–CHRNA6 region gene variant (rs6474412) and smoking in psoriasis vulgaris severity

Background

Many factors associated with causing psoriasis have been reported, such as the genetic and environmental factors. Smoking is one of the well-established environmental risk factors for psoriasis and also associated with the disease severity. In addition, several studies of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis have documented gene–environment interactions involving smoking behavior. Although gene polymorphisms on nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunits CHRNB3–CHRNA6 region gene have been found to correlate with smoking behavior and lung cancer susceptibility in Chinese Han population, the combined effect between the smoking-related genetic variants and smoking behavior on psoriasis vulgaris (PV) has been unreported.

Objective

To evaluate the combined effect of the smoking-related (rs6474412-C/T) polymorphism on CHRNB3–CHRNA6 region gene and smoking behavior on PV risk and clinic traits in Chinese Han population.

Methods

A hospital-based case–control study including 672 subjects (355 PV cases and 317 controls) was conducted. The variant of rs6474412 was typed by SNaPshot Multiplex Kit (Applied Biosystems Co., USA).

Results

The higher body mass index (BMI ≥ 25), smoking behavior and alcohol consumption were risk factors for PV, and the estimated ORs were 1.55 (95% CI, 1.09–2.29), 1.74 (95% CI, 1.22–2.49) and 1.81 (95% CI, 1.25–2.62) respectively. The smoking patients had more severe conditions than non-smokers (OR = 1.71, 95% CI, 1.08–2.70, P = 0.020). The alleles and genotypes of rs6474412 were not associated with risk of PV, but the combined effect of rs6474412 genotype (TT) and smoking behavior increased severity of PV (OR = 5.95; 95% CI, 1.39–25.31; P < 0.05; adjusted OR = 2.20; 95% CI, 1.55–3.14; P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that the combined effect of rs6474412-C/T polymorphism in smoking-related CHRNB3–CHRNA6 region gene and smoking behavior may not confer risk to PV, but may have impact on PV severity in Chinese Han population.     

Polymorphisms of the TLR4 gene and risk of gastric cancer

Objective

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is an important lipo-polysaccharide (LPS) receptor in gastric epithelial cell signaling transduction and plays critical roles in the development and progression of gastric cancer (GC). We investigated the effects of TLR4 gene polymorphisms and gene–environmental interactions on the risk of GC in Northeastern China.

Methods

We genotyped two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in TLR4 (rs10116253 and rs1927911) in 217 GC patients and 294 cancer-free controls using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated by unconditional logistic-regression models.

Results

Individuals carrying CC genotype of rs10116253 and TT genotype of rs1927911 had a significantly decreased risk of GC (adjusted OR = 0.33, 95% CI 0.18–0.60, P < 0.001 and adjusted OR = 0.37, 95% CI 0.21–0.67, P = 0.001 respectively), compared with TT genotype of rs10116253 and CC genotype of rs1927911. In addition, the SNP effects were additive to the effects of some known environmental factors without any interaction between them in the susceptibility to GC.

Conclusion

Our data suggested that TLR4 gene polymorphisms may be associated with a decreased risk of GC in Chinese population. And these SNPs and their combined effects with environmental factors may be associated with the risk of GC.     

The polymorphism − 1131T > C in apolipoprotein A5 gene is associated with dyslipidemia in Brazilian subjects

Background

Polymorphisms in apolipoprotein A5 gene (APOA5) have been associated with higher triglyceride levels in many populations. The aim of the study was to determine the allelic and genotypic distribution of the APOA5 − 1131T > C polymorphism and to identify the association of the genetic variant and the risk for dyslipidemia.

Methods

We genotyped 109 dyslipidemic subjects and 107 controls. The total cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL-c were determined enzymatically. Comparison of means among groups was calculated by ANOVA. Significant differences among groups were evaluated by Student–Newman–Keuls test.

Results

The minor allele C was more frequent in dyslipidemic subjects than controls (p = 0.019) and confers an increased individual risk for dyslipidemia (OR = 1.726, CI 95% = 1.095–2.721). The genotype analysis by gender showed that this allele was more frequent in dyslipidemic males (p = 0.037; OR = 2.050, CI 95% = 1.042–4.023). When participants were analyzed according to genotypes TT and TC/CC, C-carriers presented higher cholesterol and triglycerides levels than TT homozygous (p = 0.046 and 0.049, respectively).

Conclusions

The allele C confers higher total cholesterol and triglycerides levels in dyslipidemic adults. The APOA5 − 1131T > C polymorphism is associated with dyslipidemia in male subjects.     

The effects of age and gender on the relationship between HMGCR promoter-911 SNP (rs33761740) and serum lipids in patients with coronary heart disease

Background

Hydroxymethylglutaryl-Coenzyme A Reductase (HMGCR) catalyzes the rate-limiting step of cholesterol biosynthesis. This enzyme is the target of the widely available cholesterol lowering statins. In this population-based case–control study, the frequencies of -911 C>A polymorphism (rs3761740) of the HMGCR gene in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and healthy subjects were investigated and the correlations between the different genotypes and hypercholesterolemia with cardiovascular risk factors were analyzed.

Methods

The HMGCR genotypes were determined in 365 patients with CHD and 365 controls by PCR–RFLP assay. Anthropometric measurements were measured in all participants.

Results

There was no significant difference in the genotype frequencies of the HMGCR polymorphism between the male subjects of both patient and control groups, however, the HMGCR-CC genotype was found to be more frequent in female patients with CHD than female controls (p = 0.002). The HMGCR-CC genotype showed higher total-cholesterol (TC) and LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels than the CA + AA genotypes in male CHD patients (p = 0.018). Due to this significant sex interaction, a multivariate analysis was conducted on the patient group. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, the HMGCR-CC genotype was significantly associated with age < 55 (OR = 2.837, p = 0.001) and TC ≥ 5.18 mmol/L (OR = 1.970, p = 0.027) in male subjects. However, this association was not observed in female patients (p > 0.05). This analysis confirmed that the HMGCR-CC genotype was associated with elevated TC levels in male CHD patients with age < 55 years.

Conclusion

These results suggest that age and sex modify the contribution of the HMGCR-911 polymorphism to fasting serum TC, LDL-C levels and risk of CHD.     

Are glutathione S-transferase polymorphisms (GSTM1, GSTT1) associated with primary open angle glaucoma? A meta-analysis

Background

Glutathione S-transferase (GST) variants have been considered as risk factors for the pathogenesis of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). However, the results have been inconsistent. In this study, we performed a meta-analysis to assess the association between GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes and the risk for POAG.

Methods

Published literature from PubMed and EMBASE databases was retrieved. All studies evaluating the association between GSTM1/GSTT1 variants and POAG were included. Pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using fixed- or random-effects model.

Results

14 studies (1711 POAG cases and 1537 controls) were included in the meta-analysis of GSTM1 genotypes and 10 studies (1306 POAG cases and 1114 controls) were included in the meta-analysis of GSTT1 genotypes. The overall result showed that the association between GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes and risk for POAG was not statistically significant (GSTM1: OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 0.82–1.73, p = 0.361; GSTT1: OR = 1.26, 95% CI = 0.77–2.06, p = 0.365). The results by ethnicity showed that the association between the GSTM1 null genotype and risk for POAG is statistically significant in East Asians (OR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.04–1.90, p = 0.026), but not in Caucasians (OR = 1.13, 95% CI = 0.69–1.84, p = 0.638) and Latin-American (OR = 1.09, 95% CI = 0.62–1.92, p = 0.767). In addition, there was no significant association of GSTT1 null genotype with risk for POAG in either ethnic population.

Conclusions

The present meta-analysis suggested that there might be a significant association of GSTM1 null genotype with POAG risk in East Asians.     

Relationship between CCR2-V64I polymorphism and cancer risk: A meta-analysis

Background and objectives

The role of CCR2-V64I polymorphism in various cancers has been reported in many studies. However, results from published studies on the association between CCR2-V64I polymorphism and cancer risk are conflicting. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to estimate the overall cancer risk associated with the polymorphism.

Methods

Electronic searches of PubMed and EMBASE were conducted for all publications on the association between this variant and cancer. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were used to access the strength of this association.

Results

Sixteen studies with 2661 cancer patients and 5801 healthy controls were included. Overall, significant association was found between the CCR2-V64I polymorphism and cancer risk (OR = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.35–2.51, AA vs GA/GG, P = 0.37). In the subgroup analysis stratified by cancer types, there was a significant association between this polymorphism and bladder cancer (OR = 2.06, 95% CI = 1.02–4.15, AA vs GA/GG, P = 0.11), cervical cancer (OR = 3.34, 95% CI = 1.48–7.50, AA vs GG, P = 0.56), and oral cancer (OR = 2.04, 95% CI = 1.46–2.84, GA vs GG, P = 0.70). In the subgroup analysis stratified by ethnicities, an increased cancer risk was also found in Europeans (OR = 2.31, 95% CI = 1.45–3.68, AA vs GA/GG, P = 0.16) and Asians (OR = 1.88, 95% CI = 1.12–3.16, AA vs GA/GG, P = 0.92).

Conclusion

This meta-analysis suggested that CCR2-V64I polymorphism may contribute to an increased risk of cancer.     

Association between IL13 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to cancer: A meta-analysis

Background/aims

Interleukin-13 (IL13) is an immunoregulatory cytokine which plays an important role in carcinogenesis through affecting tumor immunosurveillance. Many studies had reported the influence of IL13 rs1800925 and rs20541 polymorphisms on cancer risk, however, with inconclusive results. The aim of the present study was to conduct a meta-analysis to clarify the relationship.

Methods

Twenty studies including a total of 6713 cancer cases and 8693 controls for IL13 rs20541 polymorphism and 4081 cancer cases and 6202 controls for IL13 rs1800925 polymorphism were included in the meta-analysis. Data were extracted from these studies and odds ratios with corresponding 95% confidence intervals were computed to estimate the strength of the association.

Results

Overall, the IL13 rs20541 polymorphism were associated with significantly decreased cancer risk in all genetic models (AA vs. GG: OR = 0.82, 95%CI = 0.71–0.95; GA vs. GG: OR = 0.92, 95%CI = 0.85–0.99; GA/AA vs. GG: OR = 0.90, 95%CI = 0.85–0.97; AA vs. GG/GA: OR = 0.85, 95CI% = 0.74–0.98). In the stratified analyses, significant effects were found among European populations, studies with population-based controls and studies of glioma. No influence of the IL13 rs1800925 polymorphism on the overall cancer risk was observed. However, in the stratified analyses, we found the IL13 rs1800925 polymorphism was significantly associated with decreased risk for glioma (CT vs. TT: OR = 0.72, 95%CI = 0.55–0.93; CT/TT vs. TT: OR = 0.76, 95%CI = 0.62–0.89).

Conclusion

Our meta-analysis suggests that the IL13 rs20541 polymorphism contributes to susceptibility to cancer, especially for glioma; and the IL13 rs1800925 polymorphism may be associated with glioma risk.     

Interaction between TGF-β1 (869C/T) polymorphism and biochemical risk factor for prediction of disease progression in rheumatoid arthritis

Objectives

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) may be a promising candidate gene for susceptibility and severity in RA. We aimed to determine whether TGF-β1 polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to RA and progression of joint destruction, as well as to identify the interaction between TGF-β1 polymorphism and biochemical risk factor.

Methods

A total of 160 RA patients and 168 healthy unrelated controls were tested for the TGF-β1 (869C/T) polymorphism using polymerase chain reaction.

Results

The TGF-β1 T allele was associated with susceptibility to RA. Within the RA group, TGF-β1 T allele carriers had a significant increased risk to develop osteoporosis (OR = 4.4, 95% CI = - 2. 4 – 8.1, P < 0.001), as well as more likely to develop bone erosion (OR = 1.7, 95% CI = 0. 99–2.7, P = 0. 034). Better prediction was achieved when the TGF-β1 TT genotype was used in combination with either elevated, rheumatoid factor (RF) or C-reactive protein (CRP) (OR = 6.8, 3.7 respectively). Also, they increased the risk to develop bone erosion in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (OR = 3.3, 9.8, P = 0.017, 0.001 respectively).

Conclusion

Our results suggest that TGF-β1 TT genotype may determine the development of osteoporosis and bone erosion in RA. Also, our results points to a synergism between TGF-β1 TT genotype and elevated serum RF or elevated CRP that lead to the development of osteoporosis and bone erosion in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.     

The effect of chemokine receptor gene polymorphisms (CCR2V64I,CCR5-59029G>A and CCR5Δ32) on renal allograft survival in Pakistani transplant patients

Background

Gene polymorphisms of the chemokine receptors CCR2 and CCR5 (CCR2V64I, CCR5-59029G>A and CCR5Δ32) have been shown to be associated with renal allograft rejection. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of these polymorphisms with allograft rejection among Pakistani transplant patients.

Method

A total of 606 renal transplant patients and an equal number of their donors were included in this study. DNA samples were used to amplify polymorphic regions of CCR2V64I, CCR5-59029G>A and CCR5Δ32 by polymerase chain reaction using sequence specific primers. The amplified products of CCRV64I and CCR5-59029G>A were digested with restriction enzymes (BsaB1 and Bsp12861) respectively. The CCR5Δ32 genotypes were determined by sizing the PCR amplicons. The association of these polymorphisms with the biopsy proven rejection and other clinical parameters was evaluated using the statistical software SPSS v.17.

Results

In this study, the G/G genotype of CCR2V64I was associated with a high frequency of allograft rejection (p = 0.009; OR = 2.14; 95% CI = 1.2–3.7). Rejection episode(s) in the GA + AA genotypes were found to be significantly lower as compared to the GG genotype (p = 0.009; OR = 0.4; 95% CI = 0.2–0.8). The Kaplan–Meier curve also indicated a reduced overall allograft survival for patients with the G/G genotype of CCR2V64I (59.2 ± 1.4 weeks, log p = 0.008). There was a significant association with rejection by female donors possessing the CCR2 GG genotype (p = 0.02; OR = 2.6; CI = 1.1–6.3) and male donors with the CCR5-59029 GG genotype (p = 0.004; OR = 1.7; CI = 1.03–3.01).

Conclusion

This study shows an association of the CCR2V64I (G/G) genotype with renal allograft rejection. However, no such association was found for the CCR5 gene polymorphisms. Therapeutic interventions such as blocking the CCR2 receptor (especially G polymorphism) may yield better survival of renal allograft in this patient group. Further, chemokine receptors may be added to the spectrum of the immunogenetic factors that are known to be associated with renal allograft rejection.     

Interaction between gene A-positive Helicobacter pylori and human leukocyte antigen II alleles increase the risk of Graves disease in Chinese Han population: An association study

Objective

The current study explored the correlation of Helicobacter pylori and the polymorphisms of human leukocyte antigen II (HLA-II) alleles with Graves disease (GD).

Methods

A total of 216 patients with GD were recruited. 102 healthy volunteers constituted the control group. Levels of H. pylori immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies and H. pylori cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA) IgG antibodies were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Molecular typing of the HLA-II alleles was conducted using polymerase chain reaction with sequence specific primers.

Results

H. pylori, particularly CagA-positive strains, HLA-DQA1*0201, and HLA-DQA1*0501 were associated with GD (P = 0.015, OR = 1.811; P = 0.000, OR = 3.085; P = 0.000, OR = 0.315; and P = 0.004, OR = 2.844, respectively). Patients with CagA-positive H. pylori and negative HLA-DQA1*0201 or positive HLA-DQA1*0501 were more likely exposed to GD compared with those with only one of these indices.

Conclusion

CagA-positive H. pylori, negative HLA-DQA1*0201, or positive HLA-DQA1*0501 may increase the risk of GD.     

Single nucleotide polymorphism of CD40 in the 5′-untranslated region is associated with ischemic stroke

Objectives

Ischemic stroke is influenced by both environmental and genetic factors. The CD40/CD40L system is related to proinflammatory and prothrombogenic responses, which are involved in the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke. The aim of this study was to evaluate association between the CD40 -1C/T single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and ischemic stroke in a Chinese population.

Methods

We conducted a case–control study including 286 ischemic stroke patients and 336 controls. CD40 -1C/T SNP was genotyped using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and DNA sequencing methods, and evaluated its relevance to ischemic stroke susceptibility.

Results

Significantly increased ischemic stroke risk was found to be associated with the T allele of CD40 -1C/T (OR = 1.273, 95% CI = 1.016–1.594). The frequencies of CT and TT/CT genotypes of CD40 -1C/T in ischemic stroke patients were significantly higher than those of controls, respectively (for CT: OR = 2.350, 95% CI = 1.601–3.449; for TT/CT: OR = 2.148, 95% CI = 1.479–3.119). And, similar results were obtained after adjusting non-matched variables. We found that the frequency of carried T genotypes (TT and TT/CT) was significantly increased in patients with history of stroke compared with patients without (for TT: OR = 6.538, 95%CI = 1.655–25.833; for TT/CT: OR = 3.469, 95%CI = 1.031–11.670), respectively.

Conclusions

The findings suggested that the CD40 -1C/T polymorphism might contribute to the susceptibility to ischemic stroke in the Chinese population, and might be associated with history of previous stroke.     

Impact of MMP-3 and TIMP-3 gene polymorphisms on prostate cancer susceptibility in North Indian cohort

Purpose

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated in progression and metastases of different tumors. The balance between the MMPs and their natural inhibitors (tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases; TIMP) seem to be an important factor related to its role. The purpose of this study was to evaluate polymorphisms in the MMP-3 and TIMP-3 genes for their associations with prostate cancer (PCa) risk in North Indians.

Materials and methods

Genotypes were determined by PCR-RFLP (Polymerase Chain Reaction Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism) method in 150 PCa patients and 200 age matched controls of similar ethnicity.

Results

We found significant association in the MMP-3(1171)5A/6A and TIMP-3 (1298) C/T polymorphism with PCa risk. Variant genotype (5A/5A) of MMP-3(1171)5A/6A polymorphism had a high PCa risk (p = 0.037, OR = 3.52, 95%CI = 1.08–11.5). Individuals with TIMP-3 (1298) CT genotype as well as T allele showed reduced risk of PCa (p < 0.001; OR = 0.31; 95%CI = 0.18–0.52, and p = 0.001; OR = 0.49; 95%CI = 0.32–0.75). This effect was even more evident in case of T allele carrier (CT + TT) (p < 0.001; OR = 0.36; 95%CI = 0.22–0.59). Overall no significant association was observed statistically in MMP-3 and TIMP-3 with any of the grading stages and smoking habits in PCa. Haplotype analysis of MMP-3 showed that A-5A-A was associated with three folds (OR = 3.06; 95%CI = 1.71–5.47; p < 0.001) increased risk in PCa patients.

Conclusion

This is the first reported association between polymorphisms in the MMP-3 and TIMP-3 gene and PCa risk and supports the hypothesis that the protease/antiprotease balance has an important role. Due to the small sample size further investigations need to be done to prove a statistical significant correlation between the MMP/TIMP expression and clinicopathological parameters.     

Meta-analysis of genetic association of chromosome 9p21 with early-onset coronary artery disease

Purpose

A number of studies reported on associations of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) present in chromosome 9p21 with early-onset coronary artery disease (CAD). The present study was then undertaken to perform a meta-analysis of all the results published to date.

Methods

All studies of the 9p21 association with early-onset CAD that were published between 2007 and 2012 were retrieved from the PubMed database. RevMan 5.0 software was used to perform meta-analysis of the data that fulfilled the criteria for our meta-analysis. The effect size of four SNPs in the 9p21 region on early-onset CAD risk was assessed based on the odds ratios (ORs) with calculation of 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

A total of 7123 subjects from 7 case–control studies were genotyped. Meta-analysis demonstrated disease association for rs2383207 (OR = 0.79, 95% CI 0.71–0.88, P < 0.0001), rs2383206 (OR = 1.17, 95% CI 1.10–1.25, P < 0.00001), rs10757278 (OR = 1.28, 95% CI 1.15–1.42, P < 0.00001), and rs10757274 (OR = 1.17, 95% CI 1.08–1.33, P = 0.02).

Conclusion

Genetic variation in the chromosome 9p21 region may contribute to the etiology of early-onset CAD although their effect size is rather small.     

Association of glutathione S-transferase M1/T1 polymorphisms with susceptibility to vitiligo

Background

Some studies suggested that Glutathione S-transferases M1/T1(GSTM1/T1) null polymorphisms may be associated with the risk of vitiligo.

Aims

The purpose of this study is to further evaluate the association between GSTM1/T1 null polymorphisms and the susceptibility to vitiligo.

Methods

We carried out a retrieval of studies in the databases. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were used to assess the strength of this association. We analyzed the data using Stata 11.0.

Results

Six case–control studies including 1358 cases and 1673 controls were included in this meta-analysis. Our overall results showed the GSTM1 or GSTT1 null polymorphism was associated with vitiligo (GSTM1:OR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.21–2.08, P = 0.001; GSTT1: OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.12–1.51, P = 0.001). In the subgroup analysis, the GSTM1 null polymorphism might be a genetic risk factor to vitiligo in East Asian (OR = 1.71, 95% CI: 1.12–2.63, P = 0.014) but not in the Mediterranean, however individuals with the GSTT1 null polymorphism in the Mediterranean (OR = 1.76, 95% CI: 1.15–2.71, P = 0.010) but not in East Asian have a greater predisposition to vitiligo. In addition there was also a significant trend toward an association with the combination of the GSTM1 null and GSTT1 null in either East Asians or Mediterraneans.

Conclusion

The GSTM1/T1 null polymorphisms may be associated with vitiligo. More studies are needed to confirm this conclusion.     

Three single nucleotide variants of the HDAC gene are associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus in a Chinese population: A community-based case–control study

Objectives

There are no data regarding the possible role of the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of class I histone deacetylases (HDACs) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). We designed this study to examine whether polymorphisms of HDACs can be implicated in that disease.

Methods

A community-based, case–control study was conducted, with a total of 568 subjects (284 patients and 284 controls) enrolled. Four polymorphisms of HDAC1 (rs1741981) and HDAC3 (rs11741808, rs2547547, rs2530223) were examined by the use of TaqMan technology.

Results

We found a significant association with risk of type 2 DM for three SNPs of HDAC3, including rs11741808 [odds ratio (OR) = 0.53, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.35–0.81], rs2547547 [OR = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.13–2.64], and rs2530223 [OR = 1.39; 95% CI: 1.01–1.91]. Subgroup analysis showed that BMI ≥ 23 kg/m², high triglyceride and high blood pressure, together with the rs11741808AG genotype, were associated with a significantly decreased risk for type 2 DM, with ORs of 0.50 (95% CI: 0.27–0.91), 0.38 (95% CI: 0.20–0.71) and 0.43 (95% CI: 0.24–0.76) compared with the AA genotype, respectively. In a population with normal total cholesterol, the AG genotype yielded a significantly decreased risk of type 2 DM risk, with an OR of 0.42 (95% CI: 0.25–0.70) when compared with the persons of the AA genotype. For rs2547547, in a population with normal total cholesterol and triglyceride, the AG genotype was associated with a significantly increased risk of type 2 DM, with ORs of 1.92 (95% CI: 1.17–3.15) and 2.24 (95% CI: 1.28–3.94) when compared with the population carrying the AA genotype.

Conclusions

The results suggest that variants of HDAC3 contribute to an increased prevalence of type 2 DM in the Chinese Han population.