Investigating the role of ceramide metabolism-associated CERS5 (LASS5) gene in atherosclerosis pathogenesis in endothelial cells

Objective: Ceramide, the backbone of sphingolipids, is the key component affecting atherosclerotic changes through its important second-messenger role. Previous studies have demonstrated protective role of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) genes in regulating atherosclerosis and hypertension. Ceramide synthase 5 (LASS5 or CERS5) gene has function in de novo synthesis of ceramide, and has indirect effect on AMPK gene. Aim of the present study was to identify role of LASS5 gene in atherosclerosis

The rs2175898 Polymorphism in theESR1Gene has a Significant Sex-Specific Effect on Obesity

Polymorphisms in theESR1gene have been associated with obesity and lipid metabolism. There are also important sex-related differences in the prevalence of obesity and related phenotypes. Therefore, we aimed to interrogate the association of theESR1rs2175898 gene polymorphism with obesity, obesity-related variables, and lipid levels in men and women as separate groups. Two thousand twenty-two randomly selected middle-aged and elderly Turks were genotyped forESR1rs2175898 polymorphism using real-time polymerase chain reaction with hybridization probes. We found sex-related differences of theESR1rs2175898 polymorphism in obesity. Logistic regression analysis after adjustment for age, smoking status, physical activity, diabetes mellitus, and the presence of menopause status in women demonstrated significantly decreased risk for obesity in female AG genotype carriers (OR 0.69; 95% CI 0.52-0.91;p = 0.010), and in male GG genotype carriers (OR 0.49; 95% CI 0.25-0.96;p = 0.039), Furthermore, carriers of the rs2175898 G allele exhibited a lower body mass index in both sexes and decreased waist circumference in women but not in men. Our findings also showed significantly higher serum total-C levels (p = 0.007) in the carriers of the AG+GG/AG genotype compared with the AA genotype in men. The AG genotype of theESR1rs2175898 polymorphism in women and GG genotype in men were found to have a decreased likelihood for obesity compared with the other rs2175898 genotypes