新疆维吾尔族人寻常型银屑病与HLA-Cw*0602等位基因的关联研究

目的:寻找新疆维吾尔族人银屑病与HLA-Cw*0602等位基因的相关性.方法:运用聚合酶链反应-序列特异性引物(PCR-SSP)法,检测新疆维吾尔族人200例寻常型银屑病患者和200例健康对照的HLA-Cw*0602等位基因频率,分析携带该基因的银屑病患者与其家族史的相互关系.结果:①病例组HLA-Cw*0602等位基因频率较对照组显著升高(73%vs24%,X2＝108.551,OR=10.171,95%可信区间6.410～16.140,P＝0.000),且无性别差异;②携带HLA-Cw*0602等位基因的银屑病患者发病年龄早于不具有该等位基因的患者(80.2%vs28.6%,X2=10.256,OR=0.950,95%可信区间0.920～0.981,P=0.001);③有银屑病家族史患者携带HLA-Cw*0602等位基因的频率与无银屑病家族史的患者无显著意义(X2=0.000,OR=0.986,95%可信区间0.252～3.860,P=1.000).结论:新疆维吾尔族银屑病患者与HLA-Cw*0602等位基因高度关联,且携带该等位基因的银屑病患者易发生早发型(发病年龄≤40岁)银屑病,但不能确定有家族倾向性.     

载脂蛋白E基因多态性与阿尔茨海默病

利用PCR RFLP方法分析了中国汉族人群中 16 0例散发性阿尔茨海默病 (Alzheimerdisease,AD)患者和 195例正常对照老年人中载脂蛋白E(APOE)基因多态性分布的差异。结果表明 ,APOE 3种等位基因ε2、ε3和ε4的频率在AD组和对照组分别为 0 0 5 6、0 713、0 2 31和 0 0 82、0 84 4、0 0 74。APOEε4等位基因携带个体患AD的危险为非携带个体的 3 82倍 (χ2 =2 8 7,P <0 0 0 1)。 6 5岁以上APOEε4携带个体患AD的危险为非携带个体的 5 38倍(χ2 =2 9 8,P <0 0 0 1) ,说明年龄因素可能影响ε4与AD间的相互作用。APOE等位基因和基因型频率在轻、中和重度痴呆病人间的分布无明显差异 (P >0 0 5 ) ,提示APOE基因多态性可能与AD患者的痴呆程度无关联。APOEε4基因型频率在女性AD病人中的分布略高于男性AD病人 (4 3 0 %对 36 5 % ) ,女性ε4携带个体患AD的危险也高于男性ε4携带个体 (4 3倍对 3 3倍 ) ,但统计学分析未检测到这些差异的显著性 (P >0 0 5 )。ε2等位基因频率在AD患者男性亚组明显低于女性亚组 ,也低于对照人群的男性亚组 (P <0 0 5 ) ,提示ε2等位基因可能降低中国汉族男性人群AD发病的危险     

MICA基因多态性与海南人群HBV易感关联性研究

研究MICA等位基因多态性与海南人群HBV感染易感性之间的关联性。采用PCR-SSP和PCR-SBT方法对样本MICA等位基因的多态性进行检测。HBV感染患者中共检出10种MICA等位基因和5种MICA-STR等位基因,和对照组相比较,MICA*010、MICA-A5等位基因可能对HBV感染易感(MICA*010:OR=3. 88,95%CI:2. 19～6. 85,P=0. 000; MICA-A5:OR=1. 27,95%CI:0. 92～1. 77,P=0. 0068)。MICA*008/045基因型可能对HBV感染不易感,MICA*010/010纯合子基因型可能对HBV易感(MICA*008/045:OR=0. 09,95%CI:0. 01～1. 74,P=0. 0071; MICA*010/010:OR=4. 41,95%CI:1. 26～15. 46,P=0. 0106)。MICA等位基因多态性与海南人群HBV感染的易感性间存在关联性。     

载脂蛋白E基因多态性与持续性植物状态的关系及其意义

研究载脂蛋白E(ApoE)基因多态性与持续性植物状态 (PVS)之间的关系 ,探讨PVS发生的遗传背景及其对血脂水平的影响。以 6 2名PVS患者为研究对象 ,5 5名正常人为对照 ,采用聚合酶链反应和限制性片段长度多态性(PCR RFLP)方法 ,分析了载脂蛋白E基因多态性 :血脂水平按常规酶法进行测定并进行统计学处理。ApoE基因多态分析表明 ,在PVS患者和正常人中观察到 5种ApoE基因型 ,分别为E3/ 3、E3/ 4、E2 / 2、E2 / 3及E4 / 2。PVS患者组ApoE3/ 4基因型频率高于对照组 (χ2 =14 .2 36 ,P <0 .0 0 1) ;而E3/ 3基因型频率较对照组显著降低 (χ2 =5 .348,P <0 .0 5 )。PVS患者的ε4等位基因频率显著高于对照组 (χ2 =10 .5 33,P <0 .0 0 1) ;而ε3等位基因频率显著低于对照组 (χ2 =7.0 2 2 ,P <0 .0 1)。两组ApoE基因型E2 / 2 ,E2 / 4 ,E2 / 3,E3/ 4的低密度脂蛋白胆固醇 (LDL C)水平之间存在统计学差异 (P <0 .0 5 ,P <0 .0 5 ,P <0 .0 5 ,P <0 .0 1)。ApoE基因多态性与PVS有关联 ,并影响患者的血脂水平。ApoE基因多态性可能与PVS的发生和预后有关     

单羧酸转运蛋白基因SNP 与肝细胞肝癌预后的关联研究

目的:探讨单羧酸转运蛋白基因(monocarboxylate transporter,MCT)单核苷酸多态性(single nucleotide polymorphism,SNPs)与肝细胞肝癌(hepatocellular carcinoma,HCC)根治术患者预后的关系。方法:运用Sequenom i PLEX分型技术对830例原发性HCC患者MCT家族(MCT1、MCT2和MCT4)基因上的8个功能性SNP位点进行基因分型,并分析这些SNP与HCC患者预后的相关性。结果:MCT1基因rs1049434位点和MCT2基因rs995343位点基因型与HCC患者总体生存期及无复发生存期均显著相关(P0.05)。携带MCT1 AT基因型或TT基因型的患者死亡及复发风险均显著低于携带AA基因型的患者(HR=0.72;P=0.042或HR=0.64;P=0.002);携带MCT2 CT基因型或TT基因型的患者死亡及复发风险均显著高于携带CC基因型的患者(HR=1.64;P=0.018或HR=1.52;P=0.026)。而且,MCT1基因rs1049434位点和MCT2基因rs995343位点对HCC预后存在显著的累积效应,携带2个危险基因型的患者死亡及复发风险分别是没有危险基因型患者的2.16倍和2.54倍。此外,携带2个危险基因型的HCC患者在术后行TACE辅助治疗后死亡及复发风险均显著降低(P0.05)。结论:MCT1和MCT2基因上的功能性SNP位点有可能作为HCC根治术后预后评估和TACE辅助治疗反应预测的独立标志物。     

Wistar大白鼠血红蛋白的抽样测试与统计分析

对 6～ 8周龄Wistar大白鼠大样本随机抽样 ,眼底静脉丛取血 ,用氰化高铁血红蛋白光电比色法测血红蛋白 ,经统一分析 ,结果 ,♂ : X±SD =1 2 8 4 0± 1 1 55,μ±S x =1 2 8 4 0± 0 89,μ的可信区间估计为 1 2 6 65～ 1 3 0 1 5(可信度 95% )和 1 2 6 1 0～ 1 3 0 70 (可信度 99% ) ,正常值范围估计为 1 0 6 79～1 52 90 (含 95%总本 )和 1 0 0 3 7～ 1 59 4 8(含 99%总体 ) ;♀ : X±SD =1 2 8 79± 1 1 2 9,μ±S x =1 2 8.79± 0 87;μ的可信区间估计 1 2 7 0 8～ 1 3 0 50 (可信度 95% )和 1 2 6 53～ 1 3 1 0 4 (可信度 99% ) ,正常值范围估计 1 0 8 4 6～ 1 52 1 8(含 95%总体 )和 1 0 1 96～ 1 58 2 5(含 99%总体 ,单位均为 g/L ,性别间无显著性差异。结果可作为科研、教学等的大白鼠血红蛋白正常值的参考。     

下肢动脉硬化闭塞症患者血清胆红素含量的分析

目的：分析血清胆红素与动脉硬化闭塞症的相关性及临床意义。方法：1）回顾性分析我院2011年1月至2012年11月,318例符合下肢动脉硬化闭塞症诊断者的血清胆红素含量。并依照Fontaine分类法将患者分成临床四期。2）回顾性分析我院体检中心2012年100例体检者的血清胆红素含量。3）将上述1、2组的数据做两样本t检验,并将1组数据根据临床的分级进行内部小组t检验。以P〈0．05为有差异,P〈0．01为有显著差异。结果：动脉硬化闭塞症的患者血清总胆红素、直接胆红素、间接胆红素的含量均明显低于正常对照组,且动脉硬化闭塞症患者随着临床分级的进展而进一步降低。结论：动脉硬化闭塞症患者的血清胆红素水平与其发生成负性相关,低浓度血清胆红素是独立的动脉硬化闭塞症的危险因素。     

IL-17Frs763780多态性和肿瘤易感性关联的Meta分析

目的评估IL-17Frs763780多态性与癌易感性的关联。方法通过检索Pubmed、Embase、OV-ID、CBM、WanfangData和CNKI,筛选出发表至2013年10月与IL-17基因多态性和癌易感性有关的病例对照研究。采用比值比（ORs）和95％可信区间（95％CIs）评价关联强度。结果最终纳入5篇病例对照研究,包括1407例肿瘤患者和2164例健康对照。然而,分析后发现IL-17Frs763780多态性和癌无统计学意义的关联（TT＋TC vs CC：OR=0．85,95％CI=0．46～1．57,P=0．60;TTVSTC＋CC：OR=1．00,95％CI=0．76-1．33,P=0．99;TC vs CC：OR=0．83,95％CI=0．44—1．55,P=0．55;TT vs CC：OR=0．85,95％CI=0．46-1．59,P=0．62）。按肿瘤类型亚组分析提示在胃癌和其他肿瘤存在相似的结果。结论IL-17Frs763780多态性可能并不增加肿瘤的易感性。     

中国汉族人群ENPP1基因K121Q多态与2型糖尿病的关联及Meta分析

多个欧洲白人的Meta分析表明核苷酸焦磷酸酶1(Ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase 1,ENPP1)基因K121Q多态与2型糖尿病相关联,但在日本人、韩国人和中国台湾人的研究中没有发现相关性,而在中国大陆人群中二者的关联研究结果不尽一致。文章调查了湖北地区539例2型糖尿病患者和404名正常人ENPP1基因K121Q多态性。基因型及等位基因频率在病例组和对照组间没有显著差异(P0.05),但经性别、年龄和体重指数调整后的Logistic回归分析揭示XQ基因型与2型糖尿病显著相关(OR=1.5,95%CI:1.39~1.62,P0.001)。对性别进行的亚组分析显示,女性病例组Q等位基因和XQ基因型的频率显著高于对照组(Q:12.4%vs.6.1%,P=0.001;XQ:23.7%vs.11.7%,P=0.001)。结果表明ENPP1基因K121Q多态与湖北汉族人2型糖尿病的关联存在性别差异,在女性中更明显。文章是对中国大陆人群进行的第一个Meta分析,结果显示Q等位基因增加2型糖尿病的发病风险(OR=1.42,P=0.042)。     

原发性高血压相关新基因的发现--D1S249位点与汉族EH相关联

原发性高血压(essential hypertension, EH)被认为是多基因、多因素相互作用引起的复杂疾病. 过去10年中, 高血压相关基因研究虽然已取得令人高兴的进展, 但究竟有多少基因参与发病, 及其之间的相互作用仍不清楚. 以北京房山区高血压群体及家系为研究对象, 应用全基因组扫描技术, 通过病例-对照相关研究和98对受累同胞对连锁分析, 筛查鉴定与汉族原发性高血压相关联的新基因位点. 病例-对照群体分析结果表明, 位于1号染色体长臂1q32区的D1S249微卫星多态性位点与汉族原发性高血压相关联,χ2 = 14.6, P = 0.002. 该位点存在12种等位基因, A9等位基因(181 bp)频率在高血压组较对照组明显升高, 两组间频率为13.6% v.s 2.7%, χ2 = 6.30, P = 0.01(OR = 4.57, 95% CI = 1.21～25.4); 98对受累同胞对等位基因共享连锁分析显示, χ2 = 3.78, P = 0.048. 上述结果提示, D1S249微卫星多态位点与北京房山区汉族原发性高血压遗传易感相关联, 致病基因可能于D1S249位点存在连锁不平衡.     

Association between a-adducin gene polymorphism (Gly460Trp) and genetic predisposition to salt sensitivity: a meta-analysis

Linkage and association studies suggested the relationship between a-adducin polymorphism (Gly460Trp; rs4961) and genetic susceptibility to salt-sensitivity. However, the currently available results were inconsistent. This study aimed to define quantitatively the association between salt-sensitivity and α-adducin Gly460Trp polymorphism in all published case-control studies. Publications from PubMed and other databases were retrieved. The major inclusion criteria were: (1) case-control design; (2) salt-sensitivity confirmed by sodium loading tests, and (3) the distribution of genotypes given in detail. Seven case-control studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. In total they involved 820 subjects (454 salt-sensitive and 366 non-salt-sensitive). The meta-analysis shows that Gly460Trp polymorphism in general is not significantly associated with salt-sensitivity [OR (95%CI): 1.40 (0.96, 2.04),P = 0.08]. Subgroup analysis showed that the association is statistically significant in Asian people [OR (95%CI):1.33 (1.06, 1.69),P = 0.02] but not in Caucasian people [OR (95%CI):1.98 (0.57, 6.92),P = 0.28]. This indicates that blood pressure response to sodium varies between ethnical groups. More studies based on a larger population are required to evaluate further the role of a-adducin Gly460Trp polymorphism in salt-sensitive hypertension.     

Alpha-Adducin Gly460Trp Polymorphism and Hypertension Risk: A Meta-Analysis of 22 Studies Including 14303 Cases and 15961 Controls

Background

No clear consensus has been reached on the alpha-adducin polymorphism (Gly460Trp) and essential hypertension risk. We performed a meta-analysis in an effort to systematically summarize the possible association.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Studies were identified by searching MEDLINE and EMBASE databases complemented with perusal of bibliographies of retrieved articles and correspondence with original authors. The fixed-effects model and the random-effects model were applied for dichotomous outcomes to combine the results of the individual studies. We selected 22 studies that met the inclusion criteria including a total of 14303 hypertensive patients and 15961 normotensive controls. Overall, the 460Trp allele showed no statistically significant association with hypertension risk compared to Gly460 allele (P = 0.69, OR = 1.02, 95% CI 0.94–1.10, P_{heterogeneity}<0.0001) in all subjects. Meta-analysis under other genetic contrasts still did not reveal any significant association in all subjects, Caucasians, East Asians and others. The results were similar but heterogeneity did not persist when sensitivity analyses were limited to these studies.

Conclusions/Significance

Our meta-analysis failed to provide evidence for the genetic association of α-adducin gene Gly460Trp polymorphism with hypertension. Further studies investigating the effect of genetic networks, environmental factors, individual biological characteristics and their mutual interactions are needed to elucidate the possible mechanism for hypertension in humans.     

Gly460Trp polymorphism of the ADD1 gene and essential hypertension in an Indian population: A meta-analysis on hypertension risk

BACKGROUND:

Essential hypertension is a complex genetic trait. Genetic variant of alpha adducin (ADD1) gene have been implicated as a risk factor for hypertension. Given its clinical significance, we investigated the association between ADD1 Gly460Trp gene polymorphism and essential hypertension in an Indian population. Further, a meta-analysis was carried out to estimate the risk of hypertension.

METHODS:

In the current study, 432 hypertensive cases and 461 healthy controls were genotyped for the Gly460Trp ADD1 gene polymorphism. Genotyping was determined by real time PCR using Taqman assay. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to detect the association between Gly460Trp polymorphism and hypertension.

RESULTS:

No significant association was found in the genotype and allele distribution of Gly460Trp polymorphism with hypertension in our study. A total of 15 case-control studies were included in the meta-analysis. There was no evidence of the association of Gly460Trp polymorphism with hypertension in general or in any of the sub group.

CONCLUSIONS:

We found that the Gly460Trp polymorphism is not a risk factor for essential hypertension in a south Indian Tamilian population. However, the role of ADD1 polymorphism may not be excluded by a negative association study. Further, large and rigorous case-control studies that investigate gene–gene–environment interactions may generate more conclusive claims about the molecular genetics of hypertension.     

Reduced circulating oxidized LDL is associated with hypocholesterolemia and enhanced thiol status in Gilbert syndrome

A protective association between bilirubin and atherosclerosis/ischemic heart disease clearly exists in vivo. However, the relationship between bilirubin and in vivo oxidative stress parameters in a clinical population remains poorly described. The aim of this study was to assess whether persons expressing Gilbert syndrome (GS; i.e., unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia) are protected from thiol oxidation and to determine if this, in addition to their improved lipoprotein profile, could explain reduced oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) status in them. Forty-four matched GS and control subjects were recruited and blood was prepared for the analysis of lipid profile and multiple plasma antioxidants and measures of oxidative stress. GS subjects possessed elevated plasma reduced thiol (8.03±1.09 versus 6.75±1.39 nmol/mg protein; P<0.01) and glutathione concentrations (12.7±2.39 versus 9.44±2.45 μM; P<0.001). Oxidative stress status (reduced:oxidized glutathione; GSH:GSSG) was significantly improved in GS (0.49±0.16 versus 0.32±0.12; P<0.001). Protein carbonyl concentrations were negatively associated with bilirubin concentrations and were significantly lower in persons with >40 μM bilirubin versus controls (<17.1 μmol/L; P<0.05). Furthermore, absolute oxLDL concentrations were significantly lower in GS subjects (P<0.05). Forward stepwise regression analysis revealed that bilirubin was associated with increased GSH:GSSG ratio and reduced thiol concentrations, which, in addition to reduced circulating LDL, probably decreased oxLDL concentrations within the cohort. In addition, a marked reduction in total cholesterol concentrations in hyperbilirubinemic Gunn rats is presented (Gunn 0.57±0.09 versus control 1.69±0.40 mmol/L; P<0.001), arguing for a novel role for bilirubin in modulating lipid status in vivo. These findings implicate the physiological importance of bilirubin in protecting from atherosclerosis by reducing thiol and subsequent lipoprotein oxidation, in addition to reducing circulating LDL concentrations.     

The Association of Serum Bilirubin on Kidney Clinicopathologic Features and Renal Outcome in Patients with Diabetic Nephropathy: A Biopsy-Based Study

Objective: To explore the relationship between serum bilirubin concentration and clinicopathologic features and renal outcome in biopsy-diagnosed diabetic nephropathy (DN) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Methods: In this retrospective study, 118 patients with DN were enrolled. Participants were divided into two groups according to their median baseline serum bilirubin concentration: Group 1 (serum bilirubin ≤7.5 μmol /L); Group 2 (serum bilirubin >7.5 μmol /L). Basic clinical parameters were measured at the time of renal biopsy, and the relationships between serum bilirubin and the clinicopathologic features and renal outcome were analyzed.Results: Patients in Group 1 often had inferior renal function. Compared with Group 2, the glomerular classification and interstitial inflammation were more severe in subjects of Group 1, while arteriolar hyalinosis and interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy (IFTA) were comparable between the groups. Serum bilirubin was negatively correlated with the severity of the glomerular classification, interstitial inflammation, and IFTA. In the prognostic analysis, higher serum bilirubin level was associated with a lower risk of progression to end-stage renal disease, which was independent of the effects of age, gender, duration of diabetes, anemia, serum glucose, and hypertension but not of estimated glomerular filtration rate (hazard ratio, 0.406; 95% confidence interval, 0.074 to 2.225; P = .299).Conclusion: Our study showed a negative correlation between serum bilirubin level and renal pathologic lesions in patients with DN; serum bilirubin showed an inverse association with DN progression, but this was not independent.Abbreviations: CI = confidence interval; CKD = chronic kidney disease; DM = diabetes mellitus; DN = diabetic nephropathy; DR = diabetic retinopathy; eGFR = estimated glomerular filtration rate; ESRD = end-stage renal disease; HbA1c = glycated hemoglobin; HO-1 = heme oxygenase 1; HR = hazard ratio; IFTA = interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy; log-BIL = log-transformed baseline serum bilirubin; T2DM = type 2 diabetes mellitus     

A novel method to determine total and free serum bilirubin.

The determination of total (unconjugated) and free serum bilirubin concentrations using a novel and sensitive method based on static fluorescence quenching of daneyl bovine serum albumin was developed. The method allowed the use of a sample of 5 μl or less to determine total bilirubin over a range of 10–200 μg/ml with good recovery (94.9 ± 2.2%). For the determination of total bilirubin, a denaturation medium containing 8 m urea, 10 mm dithloerythreitol, and 0.1 m Tris was employed to eliminate interference by human serum albumin itself. The method was also tested with patients' sera containing negligible conjugated bilirubin in order to compare it to a commonly used “diazo” method. The correlation between the two methods gave a practically linear relation (γ = 0.99). The effects of a number of potentially interfering substances were tested and the results showed the test was specific for bilirubin. Concentrations of free bilirubin were determined without adding a denaturation agent. The experimental values were in agreement with those calculated theoretically using the isotherm of a single binding site and an association constant of human serum albumin to bilirubin of 1.5 × 10⁸m^?1.     

Relationship of beta(3)-adrenergic receptor polymorphism with metabolic syndrome and oxidative stress parameters in postmenopausal women

INTRODUCTION: Some studies indicate, that the Trp(64)/Arg(64) polymorphism of beta(3)-adrenergic receptor (ADRB3) is associated with obesity, insulin resistance and earlier onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aim of our study was evaluation of frequency of this ADRB3 polymorphism and his association with metabolic syndrome parameters and oxidative stress in postmenopausal women. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed the study among 94 women, aged 50-60, selected randomly from Wroclaw city population. Estimation of anthropometric parameters, densitometry (total body fat, android and gynoid deposits--using DPX(+) Lunar, USA device) and biochemical estimations such as lipid profile, glucose, insulin, estradiol and FSH serum level (using commercial kits) were carried out. Oxidative stress was estimated by measurement of thiobarbituric-reactive substances (TBARS) serum concentration, using Yagi method, on spectrofluorimeter Perkin-Elmer LS55. Blood for analysis was collected before, direct after and 6 h after the 30-minutes physical test using cycloergometer. ADRB3 genotyping was performed by PCR and mini-sequencing using ABI 310 sequencer (Applied Biosystems). RESULTS: The frequency of Trp(64)/Arg(64) genotype in investigated population was 15.8%. The Arg(64)/Arg(64) genotype had only one woman. Women bearing Trp(64)/Arg(64) genotype showed higher mean serum level of triglycerides and lower serum level of HDL-cholesterol in comparison to women bearing Trp(64)/Trp(64) genotype, however without statistical significance (p > 0.05) (respectively, means +/- SD for triglycerides: 140.3 +/- 64.1 vs. 113.9 +/- 56.2 mg/dl; and for HDL-cholesterol: 60.9 +/- 11.9 vs. 67.0 +/- 16.9 mg/dl). Both groups did not differ in any other investigated anthropometric nor biochemical parameter. CONCLUSIONS: 1. The Trp(64)/Arg(64) polymorphism of beta(3)-adrenergic receptor could be associated with lipid profile disorders observed in metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women, however it should be explained basing on the study with more included subjects. 2. The Trp(64)/Arg(64 )polymorphism of beta(3)-adrenergic receptor has no influence on oxidative stress intensification after standardized physical effort in postmenopausal women.     

Association of T869C gene polymorphism of transforming growth factor-β1 with low protein levels and anthropometric indices in osteopenia/osteoporosis postmenopausal Thai women

Osteoporosis is the most common metabolic bone disease; it is an important health problem among postmenopausal women. We evaluated the association of three polymorphisms, T869C, C-509T and G915C, of the TGF-β1 gene with bone mineral density (BMD) serum TGF-β1 levels in 278 postmenopausal female osteopenia/osteoporosis subjects and 95 postmenopausal female control subjects. Serum TGF-β1 levels were significantly lower in osteopenia/osteoporosis subjects than in control subjects. Serum TGF-β1 levels of the CT+CC (T869C) genotype group were significantly lower in osteopenia/osteoporosis subjects than in control subjects (11.3 vs 15.8 ng/mL). There was a significant difference in the CT+CC (T869C) genotype frequencies between the osteopenia/osteoporosis and control subjects (74.18 vs 60.22%; OR = 1.90, 95%CI = 1.16-3.12). In the age group of more than 50 years, subjects with the TC+CC genotype of T869C polymorphism had significantly increased risk of osteopenic/ osteoporotic bones at L1 (OR = 2.36, 95%CI = 1.37-4.07), L2 (OR = 1.71, 95%CI = 1.01-2.90), L3 (OR = 2.21, 95%CI = 1.23-3.98), L4 (OR = 1.74, 95%CI = 1.00-3.03) and the femoral neck (OR = 1.80, 95%CI = 1.04-3.12). The CT+CC genotype of the T869C polymorphism of the TGF-β1 gene was found to be associated with lower serum TGF-β1 in osteopenia/osteoporosis subjects and increased risk of osteopenic and osteoporotic fracture at L1-4, femoral neck and total hip in postmenopausal Thai women. Logistic regression analysis showed that T869C polymorphism is a significant risk factor for osteopenia/ osteoporosis. We concluded that T869C polymorphism of the TGF-β1 gene has an impact on decreased serum TGF-β1 levels and influences susceptibility to osteopenia/osteoporosis in Thai women.     

Serum Bilirubin Is Inversely Associated with Increased Arterial Stiffness in Men with Pre-Hypertension but Not Normotension

Objective

Serum bilirubin level has shown to be inversely associated with coronary atherosclerosis, and may serve as a protective biomarker of coronary artery disease. Serum bilirubin has also been shown to be negatively associated with brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) in men without a history of hypertension, and in men with hypertension. It is unknown whether such associations can be observed in the pre-hypertensive or normotensive population. This study thus aimed to investigate the relationship between serum bilirubin level and increased arterial stiffness in subjects with pre-hypertension and normotension for both genders.

Methods

A cross-sectional sample of 3,399 apparently healthy subjects undergoing a medical check-up at National Cheng Kung University Hospital was enrolled between October 2006 and August 2009, after excluding subjects with serum total bilirubin level greater than 20.52 μmol/L. Increased arterial stiffness was defined as baPWV of 1,400 cm/s or higher as the dichotomous variable and bilirubin as the continuous variable.

Results

Based on multiple linear regression analysis, serum bilirubin level was inversely associated with baPWV in non-hypertensive men (β = -0.066, p < 0.001) but not in non-hypertensive women. In addition, the inverse relationship between bilirubin level and baPWV was found statistically significant only in pre-hypertensive men (β = -0.110, p < 0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that serum bilirubin was inversely associated with increased arterial stiffness in men with pre-hypertension (odds ratio = 0.955, 95% confidence interval = 0.916–0.996, p < 0.05) but not normotension after adjustment for other confounding factors. However, the relationship between total bilirubin level and increased arterial stiffness did not reach statistical significance for female subjects with pre-hypertension and normotension.

Conclusion

Serum bilirubin is inversely associated with increased arterial stiffness in men with pre-hypertension but not normotension. The association between bilirubin level and arterial stiffness was not found significant in women.     

Effets de la novobiocine sur le fonctionnement du foie: I. Etude clinique

A case of novobiocin-induced jaundice is described in which the main feature was elevated unconjugated bilirubin in the serum. No evidence of hemolysis or hepato-cellular failure was demonstrated.The effect of novobiocin on serum bilirubin was studied by administering 2 g. of the drug daily in four divided oral doses for two days. An increase in serum unconjugated bilirubin was nearly always observed in the normal subjects and in patients with cirrhosis of the liver. This rise was particularly significant in three patients with hemolytic anemia and in two patients with Gilbert''s disease. After an oral dose of 500 mg. the BSP clearance was decreased after one hour and it was close to normal after three hours. Since hemolysis is not responsible for this elevation of serum unconjugated bilirubin, the novobiocin-induced hyperbilirubinemia appears to be due to a direct effect of the drug upon the liver.