Association of the DRD2 TaqIA, 5-HT1B A-161T, and CNR1 1359 G/A Polymorphisms with Alcohol Dependence

Objective: Alcohol dependence is associated with genetic variants of alcohol-metabolizing enzymes and genes related to dopaminergic, gamma-aminobutyric acidergic, glutamatergic, opioid, cholinergic, and serotonergic systems. Genetic variations in the endogenous cannabinoid system are also involved in alcohol dependence. The present study aimed to evaluate the association between three polymorphisms, DRD2 TaqIA, 5-HT1B A-161T and CNR1 1359 G/A (rs1049353), and alcohol dependence.Methods: One hundred twenty three patients, who were diagnosed as having alcohol dependence according to the DSM-IV criteria and 125 healthy volunteers, were included in the study. With written informed consent, a blood sample was drawn from each individual. Venous blood samples were collected in ethylenediaminetetra acetic acid (EDTA) containing tubes. DNA was extracted from whole blood by the salting out procedure. Genetic analyses were performed as described in the literature by using a Polymerase Chain Reaction method. SPS5 17.0 software was used for statistical analysis.Results: The DRD2 TaglA polymorphism was analyzed in the study and control groups. In the study group, the All A1 genotype was observed in 5 (4.0%) patients, the A1/A2 genotype was observed in 51 (41.5%) patients and the A2/A2 genotype was observed in 67 (54.5%) patients. In the control group, the A1/A1 genotype was observed in 6 (4.8%) subjects, the A1/A2 genotype was observed in 40 (32.0%) subjects and the A2/A2 genotype was observed in 79 (62.2%) subjects. For the 5-HT1B receptor A-161T gene polymorphism, the A/A genotype was detected in 61(49.6%) patients, the Ail genotype was detected in 53 (43.1%) and the T/T genotype was detected in 9 (7.3%) patients. In the control group, the A/A genotype was detected in 84 (67.2%) subjects, the All genotype was detected in 39 (31.2%) subjects, and the T/T genotype was detected only in 2 (1.6%) subjects. The G/G genotype was the most common genotype in both study and control groups for CNR1 1359 gene polymorphism. It was detected in 75 (61.0%) study patients and in 84 (67.2%) control subjects. The G/A genotype was observed in 39 (31.7%) patients of the study group and 38 (30.4%) subjects of the control group. The A/A genotype was the most rare genotype in both groups; it was detected only in 9 (7.3%) study patients and 3 (2.4%) control subjects. Of the three polymorphisms investigated, 5-HT1B A-1 61T was the only one found to be associated with alcohol dependence.Conclusions: The 5-HT1B receptor A-161T polymorphism might be a promising marker for alcohol dependence

Lead poisoning in Turkish women due to “lead pouring”: A traditional practice

Question: Pouring molten lead into water and predicting, from the shape formed, the future of a person to diagnosis and treatment of disease has been practiced in many cultures across the world. In Turkish society, lead pouring is used to mainly avert the evil eye and, to a lesser extent, avoid the “kırk basması” or “albasması” that is a belief, some living or non-living things can harm lactating women and their babies. In lead pouring process, “ocak healers” melt a piece of lead in a spoon or pan over heat. The molten lead is poured into a pot of cold water above the person's head who sits on his/her knees under a sheet. When molten lead is exposed to water, it crackles and pops and various shapes are formed. Then, “ocak healers” interpret to predict the physical properties of the person who would have the evil eye by looking at the shapes. The current study was undertaken to ascertain whether the ocak healers were at risk from lead and some other toxic metal exposure as it is practiced indoors in poorly ventilated houses. Methods: Blood samples of three lead pouring ocak healers were collected for whole blood metal analysis with Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results: Surprisingly, blood antimony levels of all ocak healers were found almost three times higher than reference value. However, blood lead, arsenic and cadmium levels were lower than reference values. Conclusion: Antimony but not lead poisoning should be considered in lead pouring ocak healers. We have demonstrated there is a risk of heavy metal exposure from this traditional practice and public health bodies need to take steps to protect the health of these healers, who are mainly women, and possibly the health of their unborn babies

Inflammaging and Anti-Inflammaging: The Role of Cytokines in Extreme Longevity

Longevity and aging are two sides of the same coin, as they both derive from the interaction between genetic and environmental factors. Aging is a complex, dynamic biological process characterized by continuous remodeling. One of the most recent theories on aging focuses on immune response, and takes into consideration the activation of subclinical, chronic low-grade inflammation which occurs with aging, named “inflammaging”. Long-lived people, especially centenarians, seem to cope with chronic subclinical inflammation through an anti-inflammatory response, called therefore “anti-inflammaging”. In the present review, we have focused our attention on the contrast between inflammaging and anti-inflammaging systems, by evaluating the role of cytokines and their impact on extreme longevity. Cytokines are the expression of a network involving genes, polymorphisms and environment, and are involved both in inflammation and anti-inflammation. We have described the role of IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-12, IL-15, IL-18, IL-22, IL-23, TNF-α, IFN-γ as pro-inflammatory cytokines, of IL-1Ra, IL-4, IL-10, TGF-β1 as anti-inflammatory cytokines, and of lipoxin A4 and heat shock proteins as mediators of cytokines. We believe that if inflammaging is a key to understand aging, anti-inflammaging may be one of the secrets of longevity.</p