Polymorphism of tumor necrosis factor-alpha 308 G/A gene in Iraqi patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome

Objective This study was designed to understand the etiological molecular role of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) 308 polymorphism as pro-inflammatory cytokine in the pathogenesis of this syndrome. Methods Genetic evaluation of 70 women with PCOS occur when the promoter region of the gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the presence or absence of the polymorphism at -308 was determined and compared with 30 healthy control women. In addition to the routine investigations and hormonal assay, this study includes the measurement of body mass index (BMI), lipid profile and glucose level in both patients and control group. Results It was found that TNF-a, 34.28% of (AA) allele, 2.85% of (AG) allele and 62.85% of (GG) allele this percentage detected in PCOS patients and compared with 20% of (AA) allele, 80% of (GG) allele with no (AG) alleles found in healthy control group (P > 0.05). Conclusion This study appeared no significant association between TNF-a gene polymorphism with PCOS. The relation of TNF-a 308 polymorphism with clinical and biochemical parameters examined and it found significantly linked with androgen excess in patients with PCOS as compared with control group. No correlation found for other clinical or biochemical measurements in PCOS and non PCOS groups

Alcohol dehydrogenase genotype (ADH2 and ADH3) in alcoholism of Iraqi people

Objective The polymorphic human liver enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) is responsible for the oxidative metabolism of ethanol. An allele encoding active form of cytosolic enzyme is known to reduce the likelihood of alcoholism in Iraqi men. The polymorphisms of ADH modifies the predisposition to the development of alcoholism. Determination of genotypes ADH2 and ADH3 loci in alcoholic and nonalcoholic Iraqi men. Method Using leukocyte DNA extraction and then amplifying by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) by using specified primers, then allele specific primer extension and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) methods with another set of primers is employed in order to determine the variants of ADH2 and ADH3, respectively. Results The Iraqi alcoholics had significantly lower frequencies of ADH2*2 and ADH3*1 alleles than did the non-alcoholic as compared with the general population of East Asians but more than in Caucasians population, suggesting that genetic variation in ADH enzyme modulating the rate of metabolism of ethanol to acetaldehyde influences drinking and the risk of developing alcoholism. The simplest explanation of the significant lower frequency of ADH2*2 and ADH3*1 alleles among Iraqi alcoholic men is that each can produce higher transient level of acetaldehyde, which trigger aversive reactions; these alleles are less likely to become alcoholic. Conclusion This study suggests that both ADH2 and ADH3 genotypes exert an influence on alcohol metabolic rate, alcohol-flush reaction and susceptibility to develop alcoholism. ADH2 and ADH3 genotypes may have a protective role in the risk for alcoholism in Iraqi alcoholic population

Measurement of urinary kidney injury molecule-1 as a predictive biomarker of contrast-induced acute kidney injury

Objective The aim of the present study is to evaluate the urinary KIM-1 level in the patients after 24 h angiography as a predictive biomarker of contrast-induced acute kidney injury. Methods This study included 80 selective patients attending in the cardiology unit (48 males, 32 females). The study was conducted in the cardiac catheterization unit at Al- Hussein Medical City/ Kerbala. Clinical examination and laboratory investigations were made before and 24 h after angiography, these investigations include: serum creatinine, blood urea and estimated GFR. Urinary KIM-1 was measured before and after 24 h angiography. Results There was no signifcant difference in urinary KIM-1 when compared between CIN and non CIN group P > 0.05. The level of urinary KIM-1 increased in the patients after 24 h of angiography when compared with baseline level of P < 0.001. Conclusion Urinary KIM-1 was not useful for predicting or detecting CIN. But urinary KIM-1 level may be useful as a biomarker for tubular damage following intravascular administration of contrast media, 24 h

Role of vitamin D3 level and Apo-B/Apo-A1 ratio in patients with unstable angina in Kerbala province, Iraq

Objectives Vitamin D deficiency may be responsible for endothelial dysfunction which in turn affects the onset and progression of coronary artery disease and its risk factors. The Apo B/Apo AI ratio indicates the balance between atherogenic and anti atherogenic particles, the higher the value, the higher is the cardiovascular risk. The aim of study is to find a possible association between unstable angina and vitamin D3, Apo A1, Apo B, and Apo B/Apo A1 ratio and other risk factors (age, body mass index and smoking). Methods This case-control study was conducted during the period from Nov. 2015 to Sep. 2016. A total of 40 patients of unstable angina presented with typical chest pain to the coronary care unit in Al-Hussein Teaching Hospital, Al-Hussein Medical City/ Kerbala. The diagnosis was based on the clinical history and electrocardiography. A total of 50 persons were matched in age, gender and BMI as a control group. The procedures were measured using Auto Immunoassay Analyzer. Results Vitamin D3 deficiency (< 30 ng/mL) was prevalent in unstable angina (UA) compared with controls (vitamin D3 ≥ 30 ng/mL) (odds ratio [OR], 21.93; 95%, confidence interval [CI], 5.91–81.31; P < 0.001). The results obtained that serum 25(OH) D3 was highly significant in smoker compared with non-smoker in both groups (P < 0.001, P < 0.05, respectively). The serum Apo B, Apo A1 and Apo B/Apo A1 ratio were highly significant between both groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). On the other hand, vitamin D3 recorded significant correlation with each of the age and BMI in control group (all P < 0.01). Conclusion The present study showed a highly significant association between vitamin D3, Apo B, Apo A1 levels, Apo B/Apo A1 ratio and unstable angina as compared with the control group, and significant correlation between vitamin D3 and age, BMI and smoking. Keywords unstable angina, vitamin D3, ApoA1, Apo B, Apo B/Apo A1 rati

Myokines in alcoholic myopathy

Objective Interleukin (IL)-15 is highly expressed in skeletal muscles, where it exerts anabolic effects, increase protein content in muscle fibres and promotes muscle growth. Alcoholics frequently suffer myopathy. Therefore, we analyse the level of IL-15 [and other myokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)] in alcoholics. Follow-up of skeletal muscle cytokines (myokines) such as IL-15 and TNF-α level in alcoholism, in an attempt to reveal if a certain level of myokines can be considered as a risk factor for short-term motility. Methods IL-15 and TNF-α were determined by enzyme-linked immunoassay analytic techniques in blood samples of 70 chronic alcoholics and 70 age- and sex-matched controls, and then the levels of myokines were correlated with liver enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma glutamate transferase (GGT), amount of ethanol consumed, duration and creatine kinase (CK) activity levels. Results All the alcoholic patients were heavy drinkers (217.04 ± 149.93 g/day), who started at an early age (13.97 ± 8.96 years). IL-15, TNF-α levels and liver enzyme activity were significantly higher in these patients than in controls. Significant relationship was found between IL-15, quantity of ethanol consumption, TNF-α, CK, AST/ALT and between TNF-α and daily ethanol consumption (quantity) and GGT. Conclusion A certain level of myokines such as IL-15 and TNF-α can be considered as a risk factor of alcoholics for short-term motility

Correlation between malondialdehyde and dyslipidemia in psoriatic patients

Objectives This study was designed to investigate the correlation between serum lipid profile and lipid peroxidation as malondialdehyde (MDA) in psoriatic patients. Methods This case–control study was performed on 70 psoriatic patients and 30 healthy individuals as control, matched for age and sex. The blood samples were collected after 14 h fasting. The serum lipid profile was assayed using the standard kit and MDA was assayed using the ELISA kit. Results The certain parameters, including serum triglyceride, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), were significantly higher in the case group compared to the controls (P < 0.05), while high-density lipoproteincholesterol (HDL-C) remained within normal limit in the patients group compared to the control, while there was a significantly higher levels in MDA in case group as compared to that found in the controls (P < 0.05). Conclusion These results have revealed the higher plasma level of lipid profiles in psoriatic patients. This may elevate the risk of atherosclerosis, particularly cardiovascular disorders. Therefore, from the epidemiological point of view, on screening the psoriatic patients, particularly those with severe psoriasis, is recommended

Relationship between serine/threonine kinase 39 gene polymorphisms with some cardiac biomarkers in hypertensive patients

Aim This study aimed to evaluate the association between STK39 SNP rs35929607 and some cardiovascular risk factors in hypertension patients in holy Kerbala city, Iraq. Materials and Methods We included 74 hypertensive patients with no signs and symptoms of renal impairment and another 30 control subjects. The links between genotype and hypertension were examined. Then, the SNP related variances in the blood pressure and remaining cardiovascular risk factors were studied. Results There is no significant association between STK39 rs35929607 and hypertension in current study. However Allele A showed a significant association in hypertensive patient compared with control group particularly in female gender. The hypertensive patients showed a significant higher result in age, BMI, FBS, total cholesterol, and STG, LDL-C and lower level in HDL-C. Conclusion The association between the SNP rs35929607ofSTK3 and hypertension was not significant in current study in Kerbala population of Iraq. Furthermore, only Allele A showed a significant association with hypertension in females group. Further studies needed to clarify the effect of other STK39 variants on these cardiovascular risk factors

Polymorphism of tumor suppressor gene (p53) Codon 72 in Iraqi patients with acute myocardial infarction

Objectives According to previous studies, the aim of the presented work is to investigate the possible association between the codon 72 polymorphism (Pro72Arg, rs1042522) of the tumor suppressor gene (p53) with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in Iraqi patients of Karbala province. Methods A total of 58 smokers and non-smokers patients with AMI diagnosed by clinical history, electrocardiography and troponin I level and another 35 healthy controls were included in this study. The (Pro72Arg) polymorphism of the p53 gene was evaluated by molecular techniques. Results The genotype distribution for the Pro72Arg variant of the p53 gene in AMI non-smokers patients (PP: n = 9, 47.4%; RP: n = 2, 10.5%; RR: n = 8, 42.1%) and controls (PP: n = 9, 50.0%; RP: n = 9, 50.0%; RR: n = 0, 0.0%) was significantly different (p = 0.002). and the genotype distribution for the Pro72Arg variant of the p53 gene in AMI smokers patients (PP: n = 20, 51.3%; RP: n = 1, 2.6%; RR: n = 18, 46.2%) and controls (PP: n = 14, 82.4%; RP: n = 2, 11.8%; RR: n = 1, 5.9%) was significantly different (p = 0.009). Conclusion These findings suggest that the Pro72Arg polymorphism of tumor suppressor p53 gene is associated with AMI patient studies