No associations between rs2030712 and rs7456421 single nucleotide polymorphisms of HIPK2 gene and prevalence of chronic kidney disease. Results of a family-based study

Introduction: Different pathological processes can deteriorate kidney function and cause ireversible degeneration of its structure; however, an optimal way to inhibit or slow down progression of renal damage is unforunately not available. In the light of promissing data concerning homeodomain-interacting protein kinase 2 (HIPK2) upregulation in damaged kidneys animal model, and increased levels of this protein in patients with various kidney diseases, the influence of rs7456421 and rs 2030712 single nucleotide polimorphisms of HIPK2 gene on chronic kidney disease incidence and progression was studied. Material and methods: In 109 family ‘trios’, consisting of an affected child with CKD (48 females and 61 males, mean age 15.5 ±6.45 years) and both his/her parents, using Transmission Disequilibrium Test allele was used for the transfer of aforementioned SNPs from biological parents to their affected offspring. Results: No statistical significance of allele transfer was found, which means that there were no associations between rs7456421 and rs 2030712 SNPs of HIPK2 gene and the incidence of renal dysfunction. Multiple stepwise regression showed a history of chronic glomerulonephritis (OR=17.3), chronic interstitial nephritis without urinary tract defect (OR=4.4), and CT genotype of rs 2030712 SNP (OR=2.6) as determinant of a more rapid progression of renal dysfunction, in contrast to the protective action of body mass index (OR=0.86). Conclusions: On the basis of TDT results, the influence of rs7456421 and rs 2030712 SNPs of HIPK2 gene on prevalence of chronic kidney disease was not identified. Further studies are needed to ascertain the tight relationships of HIPK2 gene polymorphisms with CKD of different etiologies

Common ophthalmic problems of urban and rural postmenopausal women in a populatin sample of Raciborz district, a RAC-OST-POL Study

Introduction and objective. We wished to establish the prevalence of eye diseases and eye disease risk factors at postmenopausal age and to compare ophthalmic problems in urban and rural areas of Raciborz. Patients and methods. The study was performed in 2010. Out of the whole population of Raciborz, Poland, 10 percent (1750) of women were randomly selected for the reported study. Finally, ocular diseases, ophthalmic agents, health status (physical activity level, body mass index – BMI, reproductive history, the use of psychotropic drugs and hormone replacement therapy – HRT) were recorded in 623 women. The women underwent visual acuity test and anterior segment examination, applanation tonometry and indirect ophthalmoscopy. Results. The mean age of the selected patients was 66.01±7.76 years, 275 (44%) of them originating from rural and 348 (56%) from urban regions. The average woman was obese (BMI=30.54±5.38 kg/m2), with near normal agility and reproductive history of 2.59±1.55 births, 147 (24%) subjects remained under regular HRT support. According to the WHO, the visual acuity was classified as normal or near normal in 87.5%, while no blindness was recorded at all. Visual acuity depended, first of all, on lens status and was better among subjects with good agility (R=-0.31, p=0.001). Dry eye prevalence increased significantly over age of 67 years (p=0.000) and HRT seemed to be a dry eye protective factor (p=0.010). Except age, No other risk factors of cataract, other than age, were identified. Normal agility (p=0.003) and HRT (p=0.032) were associated with lower AMD (age-related macular degeneration) prevalence rates. The differences between urban and rural participants were presented only in education, reproductive history, hypertension and frequency of ophthalmic examinations. Conclusions. Older adult women living in neighboring urban and rural areas present no differential in ophthalmic health problems