IL-6 polymorphism associated with fatal outcome in patients with severe traumatic brain injury.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to test whether a functional polymorphism (-174C/G) located in the promoter region of the interleukin-6 (IL-6) gene is associated with primary short-term outcome (death or Intensive Care Unit discharge) in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS: The study group consisted of 77 male patients who suffered severe TBI. The -174C/G IL-6 polymorphism was analysed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by restriction digestion. RESULTS: Severe TBI was associated with a 44% mortality rate. The GG genotype was significantly more frequent in the survivor group than in non-surviving patients (67% vs 41%; p =?0.038); similarly, the IL-6 -174G allele was more frequent in the survivor group than in non-surviving patients (81% vs 65%; p =0.031). CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that genetic variation regarding inflammatory response has significant impact on the short-term outcome for patients after acute severe TBI.

Individuals with controlled hypertension show endothelial integrity following a bout of moderate-intensity exercise: randomized clinical trial.

To examine the acute effects of aerobic exercise (AE), resistance exercise (RE) or combined exercise (CE) on flow-mediated dilation (FMD), progenitor cells (PCs), endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), oxidative stress markers and endothelial-cell derived microvesicles (EMVs) in patients with hypertension. This is a randomized, parallel-group clinical trial involving an intervention of one session of three different modalities of exercise. Thirty-three males (43 ± 2y) were randomly divided into three groups: a session of AE (n = 11, 40 min, cycle ergometer, 60% HRR); a session of RE (n = 11, 40 min, 4 × 12 lower limb repetitions, 60% 1-RM); or a session of CE (n = 11, 20-min RE + 20-min AE). FMD was assessed 10 min before and 10, 40 and 70 min post-intervention. Blood samples were collected at the same time points (except 40 min). FMD were similar in all groups and from baseline (within each group) after a single exercise bout (AE, RE or CE). At 70 min, RE group showed higher levels of PCs compared to the AE (81%) and CE group (60%). PC levels were reduced from baseline in all groups (AE: 32%, p = 0.037; RE: 15%, p = 0.003; CE: 17%, p = 0.048). The levels of EPCs, EMVs and oxidative stress were unchanged. There were no acute effects of moderate-intensity exercise on FMD, EPCs, EMVs and oxidative stress, but PCs decreased regardless of the exercise modality. Individuals with controlled hypertension do not seem to have impaired vascular function in response to a single exercise bout.

Matrix metalloproteinase gene polymorphisms in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Several genetic factors seem to be involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of this study was to analyze whether functional polymorphisms in the promoter region of the MMP-1, -3 and -9 genes were associated with RA. The study population comprises 110 RA patients and 100 healthy controls. The -1607 1G/2G MMP-1, -1171 5A/6A MMP-3, and -1562 C/T MMP-9 polymorphisms were analyzed. The frequency of the 5A allele of MMP-3 gene was significantly higher in the controls when compared with the RA patients (0.45 vs. 0.32, P < 0.01). No significant differences were observed in the allele frequencies for the MMP-1 and -9 polymorphisms between RA patients and controls. Individuals carrying MMP-3 5A allele have significant higher frequency of extra-articular manifestations and rheumatoid nodules than individuals homozygous for 6A allele (P < 0.05). The results presented in this study provide evidence of an association between the MMP-3 gene polymorphism and RA.