Phylogenetic Analysis of Torque Teno Virus in Hepatitis C Virus Infected Patients in Shiraz

Background: Torque teno virus (TTV) was the first human Circoviridae detected in a Japanese patient with unknown hepatitis in 1997. Subsequently, several studies performed to evaluate different aspects of Torque teno virus pathogenesis. Objectives: The present study aimed to determine dominant genotype of Torque teno virus in chronic hepatitis disease using 5'-UTR sequence among patients infected by hepatitis C virus in Shiraz - Iran. Patients and Methods: The study conducted in 240 patients with chronic hepatitis C from Prof. Alborzi Clinical Microbiology Research Center. The presence of Torque teno virus DNA and its genotype in plasma was assessed by nested polymerase chain reaction using two primer sets for 5'-UTR and N22 regions. Phylogenetic analysis was performed based on 5'-UTR region. Results: DNA of Torque teno virus was detected in 220 out of 240 (92 ) patients with chronic hepatitis C by the use of 5'-UTR primer based PCR method and in 12 out of 240 (5 ) by the use of N22 primer. Based on phylogenetic analysis it was shown that the Dominant genotype in this study was 11. Genotypes 1, 3, 17, and 22 were also detected. Some sequences could not be classified to a specific genotype. Conclusions: The prevalence of Torque teno virus DNA in patients with chronic hepatitis C disease by the use of 5'-UTR primer appeared to be higher compared to that revealed by N22 primer. We observed five genotypes among hepatitis C chronic patients in our study. Copyright (c) 2012 Kowsar Corp. All rights reserved

Association between Interleukin-12 Receptor B1 Gene Polymorphism (rs401502 C/G) and Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection

Introduction: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major health problem worldwide and may lead to serious clinical complications, including chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The host’s genetic background in immune system genes is a crucial etiologic factor in progression of HBV infection to chronic disease or clearance of the virus from the body. Interleukin 12 and its receptor (IL12 Receptor) play an important role in the clearance of viral infections, especially HBV. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between interleukin 12 receptor B1 gene single nucleotide polymorphism (rs401502 C/G) and chronic HBV infection. Methods: In this case control study, genomic DNA of 105 chronically HBV infected patients and 105 healthy controls was extracted. Genotype of (rs401502 C/G) single nucleotide polymorphism was determined using polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Results: The frequency of (rs401502 C/G) SNP for GG, GC, CC genotypes and G, C alleles was %53.3, %41, %5.7 and %73.3, %26.7 in the chronic patients and %51.4, %41, %7.6 %71.9 , and %28.1 in the control group, respectively. Statistical analysis of the results showed that there was not any significant difference between the case and control groups (p=0.851). Conclusion: In this study, no association was found between (rs401502 C/G) single nucleotide polymorphism within IL12RB1 gene and chronic hepatitis B virus infection. It seems that this SNP does not play a crucial role in susceptibility to HBV chronic infectio

Effect of brewer’s yeast supplementation on serum glucose and lipids in type II diabetic patients with dislipidemia

Background and purpose : Chromium deficiency leads to impaired glucose and lipid metabolism. Chromium supplementation in type II diabetic patients improves glucose and lipid profiles. Organic chromium, such as found in brewer’s yeast, is much better absorbed than inorganic chromium. In this study, the effect of chromium supplementation in the form of brewer’s yeast on glucose and lipid profile of diabetic patients were evaluated.Materials and methods : In a clinical trial study (before and after) forty (32 women and 8 men) dyslipidemic diabetic patients without liver and cardiovascular diseases, 40-68 years old and BMI ³ 28 were randomly selected. Each patient received brewer’s yeast tablets containing 14.4 microgram chromium per day for 4 and 8 weeks. Fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDLC and triglycerides were measured at the beginning and the end of 4 and 8 weeks after consumption of brewer’s yeast. A 24 hr dietary recall before and 4 and 8 weeks after consumption of brewer’s yeast were analyzed using Nutrition III software. Data were compared using paired t-test and x2-test as appropriate.Results : There were no statistical significant changes in body weight, BMI, energy and macronutrient intake before and after brewer’s yeast tablet. Mean total cholesterol (p<0.05) and fasting blood sugar levels (p<0.04) were significantly decreased after 8 weeks consumption of brewer’s yeast tablets. Mean LDLC and triglyceride level were significantly (p<0.001) decreased after 4 and 8 weeks consumption of brewer’s yeast tablets. Mean HDLC level was significantly (p<0.001) increased after 4 and 8 weeks consumption of brewer’s yeast tablets. An negative relationship was found between total cholesterol, LDLC, HDLC and TG of primary concentration and percentage of changes during study for each parameters.Conclusion : Improved glucose and lipid profile was noted in patients following 4 and 8 weeks consumption of brewer’s yeast tablets containing 14.4 microgram chromium per day. Also low chromium levels in diabetic patients,prevents diabetic patient from cardiovascular disease

Evaluation of Touchdown Nested PCR to Circumvent Spurious Priming and Increase Specificity during HIV and GBV-C Gene Amplification

Introduction & Objective: Primer-Template hybridization temperature is one of the important parameters in Nested PCR optimization. Unlike instant temperature for sequence amplification in routine PCR process, Touchdown PCR is a modified form of standard PCR that employs a range of annealing temperature. This study intended to develop a Touchdown Nested PCR in order to circumvent spurious priming and enhancing specify during gene amplification. Materials & Methods: This is an experimental study conducted at Tarbiat Modarres University of Tehran during 2008-2009. Study samples were collected from Digestive Diseases Research Centre- at Shari'ati Hospital and HIV research center – Imam Khomeini Hospital. After extracting the nucleic acid, primer designing for HIV and GBV-C and c-DNA synthesis Nested PCR was performed on negative and positive samples using standard and touchdown protocols. Results: The intended band was observed in all positive samples. No band was observed in any human and viral negative control samples. After electrophoresis of PCR products, non specific band were seen in HIV and GBV-C samples during standard PCR. Using the touchdown protocol, undesirable bands were omitted or significantly decreased. Conclusion: In the present study, despite the formation of uncalled bands in standard reaction using the touchdown method led to omission of non-specific bands without any significant effect on the final products. As for its simplicity, cost and time saving, it seems that using this method is a rational and economical way for fast optimization of PCR reactions