[Cholesterol 7α-Hydroxylase Gene-204A/C Polymorphism in Normal and Gestational Diabetic Pregnancies].

Objective: To investigate the cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase gene ( CYP7A1)-204A/C single nucleotide polymorphism and its relationship with the blood lipid levels of pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and normal pregnant women. Methods: The genotype and allele frequencies of CYP7A1-204A/C gene polymorphism of 1037 normal pregnant women, the normal controls, and 627 pregnant women with GDM were examined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis. Total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and blood glucose (Glu) were measured by enzymatic assay. Chemiluminescence determination of plasma insulin (Ins) was conducted. Apolipoproteins A1 (apoA1) and B (apoB) were measured by the turbidimetric immunoassay. Results: Allele frequencies of A and C at the CYP7A1-204A/C polymorphic locus were 0.586 and 0.414, respectively, in the GDM group and 0.557 and 0.443, respectively in the control group. The distribution of genotype frequencies in both groups showed conformity with the Hardy-Weinberg principle. There was no significant difference in allele and genotype frequencies between the GDM group and the control group. In the control group, carriers of the genotype AA were associated with significantly higher concentrations of apoA1 and lower levels of Ins and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) compared with those with genotype CC (all P<0.05). In the non-obese subgroup of the control subjects, carriers of the genotype CC were associated with significantly higher plasma TG or apoA1 levels compared with those with genotype AA ( P<0.05). In the GDM group, carriers with genotype AA of CYP7A1-204A/C polymorphism had elevated levels of gestational weight gain (GWG) compared with those with genotype CC ( P<0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that 204A/C polymorphism in the CYP7A1 gene is not associated with GDM, but may be closely associated with gestational weight gain in pregnant women with GDM. Variants in this locus are strongly associated with plasma apoA1, Ins, and HOMA-IR levels in the controls and elevated plasma TG levels in non-obese controls.

Lactonase activity and status of paraoxonase 1 and oxidative stress in neonates of women with gestational diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: The level and lactonase activity of paraoxonase 1 (PON1) and their association with PON1 genetic variants and oxidative stress are unclear in neonates of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). METHODS: This study included 362 neonates of women with GDM and 302 control neonates. The level, lactonase activity, normalized lactonase activity (NLA), and genetic polymorphisms of PON1, serum total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were analyzed. RESULTS: The neonates of the women with GDM had significantly higher levels, lactonase activity, and NLA of PON1, higher TOS, TAC, and MDA concentrations, and relatively higher oxidative stress index than those of the control neonates. The PON1 -108C → T variation decreased the lactonase activity, level, and NLA of PON1, while the PON1 192Q → R variation decreased the PON1 NLA in a genotype-dependent manner in the two groups. Multivariable regression analysis revealed the PON1 -108C/T or 192Q/R variation, apolipoprotein (apo)A1, or apoB as significant predictors of the level, lactonase activity, and NLA of PON1. CONCLUSIONS: The lactonase activity, level, and NLA of PON1 were increased in the neonates of women with GDM. The PON1 genetic variants, abnormalities in lipoproteins, and increased oxidative stress may be associated with these changes. IMPACT: This is the first study to report the elevated level, lactonase activity, and NLA of PON1 in the neonates of women with GDM. These neonates also exhibited increased oxidative stress and an adverse glycolipid metabolic profile. We further established that the -108C/T and/or 192Q/R genetic variants of the PON1 gene, abnormalities in lipoprotein metabolism, and/or increased oxidative stress had noticeable influences on the level and activities of PON1. Whether these changes potentially cause metabolic disorders later in life remains to be determined. Therefore, the neonates born to women with GDM require further clinical follow-ups.

[Primary culture of human trophoblastic cells and their susceptibility to human cytomegalovirus].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the susceptibility of primary human trophoblastic cells (HTCs) to human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection. METHODS: 30 villus of healthy pregnant women were digested with a mixture of 0.25% trypsin and 0.2% DNase. The digestion was then filtered by a 200 mesh stainless steel sieve. HTCs were purified by Percoll gradient centrifugation and repeat purification with trypsin during cell passage. HTCs were identified by cell morphology and immunofluorescence. PCR, Western blot and immunofluorescent staining were performed to detect HCMV gene and protein 72 hours post infection of HCMV. RESULTS: The combination of 0.25% trypsin and 0.2% DNase with Percoll gradient centrifugation isolated and purified primary HTCs. More than 90 percent cells expressed CK-7 related antigen. The results of PCR, western blot and immunofluorescence showed positive expressions of CMV gB and virus proteins. CONCLUSION: HTCs is susceptible to HCMV infection, which suggests a possible route of HCMV infection at the fetal-maternal interface.

Association of the G994T and R92H genotypes of platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase with risk of preeclampsia in Chinese women.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) gene (PLA2G7) G994T (V279F, rs76863441) and R92H (rs1805017) polymorphisms and risk of preeclampsia (PE) in Chinese women. STUDY DESIGN: This is a case-control study of 273 patients with PE and 530 healthy pregnant women. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: PLA2G7 genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction amplification and restriction analysis. Plasma PAF-AH, apolipoprotein (apo) B-containing lipoprotein-associated PAF-AH (apoB-PAF-AH), total high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-associated PAF-AH (H-PAF-AH), apoE-containing HDL-associated PAF-AH (apoE-H-PAF-AH) activities, and clinical, metabolic, and oxidative stress parameters were also analyzed. RESULTS: The frequencies of the GT + TT genotype (14.7 versus 9.2%, P = 0.019) and T allele (7.5% versus 4.6%) of PLA2G7 G994T polymorphism were significantly higher in patients with PE than in the control subjects. The GT + TT genotypes remained a significant predictor for PE in a regression model including age, body mass index (BMI), plasma PAF-AH, H-PAF-AH, apoE-H-PAF-AH and apoB-PAF-AH activities as covariates (odds ratio (OR) = 4.926, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.707-14.219, P = 0.003). The ratio of apoB-PAF-AH to H-PAF-AH activities was significantly higher, while serum triglyceride levels were lower in patients with the GT genotype compared with patients with the GG genotype (P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in the frequencies of the R92H genotype and allele between the PE and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: The PLA2G7 G994T, but not R92H, genetic polymorphism is associated with the risk of PE in Chinese women.

Lactonase Activity, Status, and Genetic Variations of Paraoxonase 1 in Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) is a calcium-dependent multifunctional enzyme that binds to high-density lipoproteins. The physiological function of PON1 is related to its lactonase activity. However, this activity has not been analyzed in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The present study investigated the lactonase activities and status of PON1 and their association with PON1 genetic variants and oxidative stress indices in Chinese women with GDM. METHODS: This is a case-control study of 347 women with GDM and 288 women with uncomplicated pregnancies. PON1 levels and lactonase activities were analyzed using 7-O-diethylphosphoryl-3-cyano-4-methyl-7-hydroxycoumarin (DEPCyMC) and 5-thiobutyl butyrolactone (TBBL), respectively. A normalized lactonase activity (NLA) was estimated based on the ratio of TBBLase to DEPCyMCase activity. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA), total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels, and PON1 genetic variants and oxidative stress indices in Chinese women with GDM. RESULTS: PON1 lactonase activity and levels of TOS, TAC, and MDA were higher in the GDM women compared with the control women. The PON1 -108C→T genetic variation decreased the levels and lactonase activities of PON1 in a genotype-dependent manner in the patient and control groups. GDM patients with the PON1 -108TT genotype displayed lower NLA than those with the -108CC or -108CT genotype. GDM patients with the RR genotype of PON1 192Q/R polymorphism had significantly lower PON1 lactonase activities and NLA and tended to have decreased PON1 levels compared with those with the QQ or QR genotype. Multivariable regression analysis revealed that the PON1 -108C/T or 192Q/R variations, apolipoprotein (apo) A1, apoB, TAC, MDA, or age was significant predictors of the levels, lactonase activities, or NLA of PON1. CONCLUSIONS: The lactonase activities of PON1 are increased in women with GDM. PON1 genetic variants, increased oxidative stress, and abnormalities in lipoproteins may be associated with these changes.PON1 genetic variants and oxidative stress indices in Chinese women with GDM.