Mn-SOD 47 CC genotype in combination with high tea consumption may prevent complications in Tunisian type-2 diabetes.

Reactive oxygen species metabolizing enzymes may play an important role in the prevention of type-2 diabetes (T2D) complications. We analyzed the association between Cu/Zn-SOD +35 A/C, Mn-SOD T47C, and CAT -21 A/T gene polymorphisms and complications, in combination with tea consumption in Tunisian T2D. A sample of 366 T2D subjects was enrolled in this study. All participants were asked about tea consumption and frequency. Anthropometric, clinical, and routine biochemical characteristics were obtained from subjects' updated medical records. Malondialdehyde, as an early marker of lipid peroxidation, was measured in plasma samples. Urinary polyphenol derivatives (UPDs), as a marker of polyphenols intake, were assessed by the Folin-Ciocalteu assay. SODs and CAT genotypes were determined by conventional restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction (RFLP-PCR) methods. From all subjects, the results showed that in high tea consumers (>3 cups/day), the frequency of the Mn-SOD 47 CC genotype was significantly higher in T2D without complications compared with T2D with complications (P = 0.03; OR = 0.284; 95%CI = 0.086-0.939). However, no significant associations were observed with Cu/Zn-SOD +35 A/C or CAT -21 A/T genes polymorphisms. Additionally, the evaluation of UPDs showed that individuals carrying the Mn-SOD 47 CC genotype and consuming more than three cups of tea per day present significantly higher UPDs (P = 0.038). In conclusion, the Mn-SOD 47 C variant in combination with high tea consumption may provide protection against complications in T2D.

Impact of HLA-G in the outcome of vitiligo in Tunisian patients.

BACKGROUND: The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system in the skin coordinates the pigmentation and immune response and could be implicated in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. Human leukocyte antigen HLA-G is a nonclassic, major histocompatibility complex class I molecule expressed in the extravillous cytotrophoblast at the feto-maternal interface. It is known to protect the fetus from maternal cellular immunity. Analogically, it could be implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases such as vitiligo. AIMS: To compare the expression of HLA-G between vitiligo patients and healthy controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present study, 22 vitiligo patients and 24 healthy controls were investigated to look for a possible correlation between HLA-G expression and this pathology. Expression of HLA-G in cutaneous biopsy specimens was investigated by immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS: HLA-G was detected in the biopsy specimens of 3 (13%) out of 22 patients. This number was significantly higher in healthy controls 18 (75%) out of 24 as compared to vitiligo patients (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: There is significant negative correlation between HLA-G expression and vitiligo. In our mind, upregulation of HLA-G expression in lesional skin could be local (superficial expression) or systemic (soluble HLA-G isoforms) compensation to restore normal pigmentation in lesions.

Comparative effects of the addition of meat from beef, chicken, mullet and hake to a bean seed ragout on iron metabolism and iron status in growing rats.

AIMS: The objective was to study the comparative effects of the addition of meat from beef, chicken, mullet and hake to a bean seed ragout (BSR) on iron metabolism and iron status in growing rats. METHODS: The iron metabolism and the iron status were investigated through the exploration of the total iron in the blood and the reserve of iron stored in the liver, spleen, intestine, heart and tibia. RESULTS: Our findings showed that the iron concentration in total blood significantly increased only in the BSR + beef group by 23% (p < 0.006) as compared to the control group (BSR). However, it significantly decreased in the BSR + chicken group by 19.3% (p < 0.002). The reserve of iron stored in the liver significantly increased in the BSR + beef and the BSR + hake groups by 69.5% (p < 0.003) and 160% (p < 2.5.10(-7)) respectively, as compared to the control group. The effect of hake was more pronounced than beef. However, in the BSR + chicken and the BSR + mullet groups, the reserve of iron stored in the liver did not significantly differ from the control group. The reserve of iron stored in the spleen increased significantly in all groups. The increase has reached 370% in the BSR + hake group (p < 1.10(-7)). In the intestine, the reserve of iron was significantly enhanced only in the group fed BSR + beef by 120% (p < 0.01). In contrast, this reserve was lower in the rats fed BSR + mullet than in the other groups, a reduction of 64% (p < 1.10(-5)) as compared to the control group. In the heart, iron concentration significantly increased between 36.5 and 50%, as compared to the control group. The iron stored in the tibia significantly increased only in the beef and the hake groups by 88% (p < 0.05) and 57.4% (p < 0.02) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrated that beef, chicken, mullet and hake did not have the same effect on iron metabolism and iron status in growing rats fed BSR diets. The rats fed BSR + beef have a better iron status than those fed BSR + hake, BSR + chicken or BSR + mullet in descending order.