Association between <it>ACE </it>gene I/D polymorphisms and hyperandrogenism in women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and controls

Abstract Background I/D polymorphisms of ACE are associated with the plasma ACE concentration. The ACE is associated with the angiogenesis of ovarian endothelium in vitro as well as steroidogenesis and follicular growth in cattle. Since ACE induces a high blood supply and hypersteroidogenesis in the ovary, it may be associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) which exhibits hyperplasia, hypervascularity of the ovarian theca interna and stroma, as well as disorderd steroidogenesis. Therefore, we hypothesized that the ACE plays some roles in the human ovary. To investigate whether the ACE I/D polymorphisms are associated with the steroidogenesis disorder in PCOS and contribute to the susceptibility of PCOS in Chinese women, we designed a case-controlled association study in 582 individuals. Methods The ACE I/D polymorphisms were assessed in 582 reproductive-age women. Genotyping and frequency of ACE I/D polymorphisms were obtained by PCR amplification that was performed on genomic DNA isolated from blood leucocytes. Results were analyzed in respect to clinical test results. Results The frequencies of the D allele and the genotypic distributions (DD, ID and II) in the women with PCOS did not differ from those in controls (P = 0.458). However, there were significant differences in the concentrations of testosterone among three genotypes both in the PCOS patients and controls (P = 0.0045, P = 0.0052, respectively). Differences were also found between these groups with distinct genotypes: DD versus II and DI versus II in the PCOS patients as well as DD versus DI and DD versus II in the controls. There were significant differences in the ratio of LH/FSH among three genotypes in the patients (P = 0.01). However, there were no statistical differences in the BMI, AAM, E2 concentrations and other serum hormone concentrations among the three genotypes both in the PCOS patients and controls. Conclusion The ACE I/D polymorphisms were not associated with the pathogenesis of PCOS. However, the polymorphisms were associated with the steroidogenesis in the ovary. The observation indicated that the ACE I/D polymorphisms were not the key etiological factor, which in stead may be associated with the aggravated clinical manifestations of PCOS.</p

Antidepressants and Gastric Cancer: A Nationwide Population-Based Nested Case-Control Study.

To our knowledge, no epidemiological study has reported on whether an association between antidepressant exposure and gastric cancer exists. Herein, we aim to investigate the possible association between antidepressant exposure and gastric cancer incidence.Using a nested case-control design, we identified 26289 cases with gastric cancer and 127984 controls from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD). The data were analyzed using a conditional logistic regression model adjusting for possible confounding variables.We found antidepressant use did not increase the risk of gastric cancer. The lack of an association between antidepressant prescription and elevated gastric cancer incidence was apparent for across selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic agents (TCAs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), reversible inhibitors of monoamine oxidase A (RIMA), trazodone, mirtazapine and bupropion. There were slightly decreased gastric cancer risks of SSRIs use (≧28 DDD group, adjusted OR = 0.87; 95% CI = 0.78-0.96). Sensitive analysis showed SSRIs, TCAs, and SNRIs did not increase gastric cancer risks significantly even in the group with peptic ulcer history.An association between antidepressant exposure and gastric cancer was not apparent in this analysis

Effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors on glaucoma: A nationwide population-based study.

BACKGROUND:Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are one of the most commonly prescribed classes of antidepressants. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness globally and iatrogenic glaucoma has been implicated across disparate medication classes. Available studies that have sought to determine the association between SSRI exposure and glaucoma have provided mixed results. The aim of the study herein was to investigate whether an association exists between SSRI exposure and glaucoma incidence. METHODS:Glaucoma cases were identified from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database with a new primary diagnosis of glaucoma between 1997 and 2009. The date wherein the cases were diagnosed with glaucoma was operationalized as the index date. The control group was comprised of individuals within the database who were not diagnosed with glaucoma. 15,865 glaucoma cases were compared to 77,014 sex-, age-, residence- and insurance premium-matched controls on measures of prescribed duration and dosage of SSRIs up to 365 days before index date to proxy SSRIs exposure. RESULTS:Individuals receiving SSRIs were at greater risk of glaucoma incidence (OR = 1.39; 95% CI = 1.29-1.50); the foregoing increased likelihood was reduced after adjusting for confounding variables (aOR = 1.09; 95% CI = 1.00,1.18). SSRI treatment of longer duration (i.e. >365 days) and higher doses (≥1 defined daily dose) were associated with greater risk of glaucoma incidence (aOR = 1.36; 95% CI = 1.08-1.71). Subgroup analysis showed that the effect of SSRIs on glaucoma was limited to individuals younger than 65 years of age (aOR = 1.37; 95% CI = 1.25-1.50), without diabetes (aOR = 1.39; 95% CI = 1.27-1.52), without hypertension (aOR = 1.46; 95% CI = 1.31-1.63) or hypercholesterolemia (aOR = 1.35; 95% CI = 1.23-1.48). CONCLUSION:Treatment with SSRIs was associated with greater risk of having a diagnosis of glaucoma, particularly in individuals with longer duration and/or higher average dose of SSRI. Our findings suggest that individuals receiving SSRIs treatment for extended periods of time and/or at relatively higher therapeutic doses should be monitored for symptoms associated with glaucoma

Associations of Antidepressants Use and Gastric Cancer Risk.

<p>^a confidence interval</p><p>^b Adjusting with urbanization, income, hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, chronic kidney disease, peptic ulcer and depressive disorder.</p><p>^c SSRI: selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors</p><p>^d SNRI: Serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors</p><p>^e TCA: tricyclic antidepressants</p><p>^f RIMA: Reversible inhibitors of monoamine oxidase A</p><p>Associations of Antidepressants Use and Gastric Cancer Risk.</p

Demographic Data of Cases and Controls.

<p>^a 1US $ = 32.3 New Taiwan Dollars (NTD) in year 2008</p><p>^b Quartiles by human development index</p><p>Demographic Data of Cases and Controls.</p

Subgroup Analysis Antidepressants on Gastric Cancer Risk in the Patients with or without Peptic Ulcer.

<p>^a confidence interval</p><p>^b Adjusting with urbanization, income, hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, chronic kidney disease, depressive disorder, aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and triple therapy</p><p>^c SSRI: selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors</p><p>^d SNRI: Serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors</p><p>^e TCA: tricyclic antidepressants</p><p>Subgroup Analysis Antidepressants on Gastric Cancer Risk in the Patients with or without Peptic Ulcer.</p

Medical Diseases and Drugs Used with Cases and Controls.

<p>^a Depressive disorder (ICD-9: 296.2, 296.3, 300.4, 311).</p><p>^b Combination of PPIs, amoxicillin and clarithromycin</p><p>^c NonSteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs</p><p>Medical Diseases and Drugs Used with Cases and Controls.</p