Association between PRO12ALA polymorphism of the PPAR-γ2 gene and type 2 diabetes mellitus in Iranian patients.

BACKGROUND: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARs) have been identified as ligand-activated transcription factors that belong to the nuclear receptor superfamily. It has been shown that an association exists between Proline 12 alanine (Pro12Ala) polymorphism of PPAR-GAMMA2 (PPAR-γ2) gene and increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in different populations. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the association between Pro12Ala polymorphism of PPAR-γ2 gene and T2DM in an Iranian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred unrelated people, including 100 healthy controls and 100 diabetic patients were recruited diagnosed based on American Diabetes Association criteria. Blood samples were used for isolation of genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Having extracted the genomic DNA from human blood leukocytes by means of High Pure polymerase chain reaction (PCR) Template preparation kit, we carried out polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) on each blood sample. Then, Genomic DNA was digested by BstU-I restriction enzyme. Thereafter, restriction products were analyzed by means of Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and stained by Ethidium Bromide. RESULTS: We found that the frequency of Ala allele in healthy subjects was significantly higher than in diabetic subjects (P = 0003). Moreover, the genotype frequency of Ala/Ala in healthy subjects was significantly higher than in diabetic subjects (P < 0.001). However, the genotype frequency of Ala/Pro in diabetic subjects was significantly higher than in healthy subjects (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that polymorphism of PPAR-γ2 gene is associated with T2DM. Furthermore, Ala allele is significantly found in non-diabetic individual’s Iranian population.

role of maternal thyroid stimulating hormone receptor blocking antibodies in the etiology of congenital hypothyroidism in Isfahan, Iran

Considering the role of maternal thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH] receptor blocking antibody [TRAb] in the etiology of congenital hypothyroidism [CH], this study aimed to determine TRAb among patients with CH in Isfahan, Iran. In this case-control study, patients with CH and their mothers were compared with a group of healthy neonates and their mothers. Venous blood samples were obtained for measurement of TRAb using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] method among mothers and their neonates. TSH of mothers was also determined. The case group consisted of 65 patients with CH and their mothers; controls were 148 healthy neonates and their mothers. The prevalence of positive TRAb in patients with CH and their mothers was higher than in the control group [81.5% vs. 1.3% in mothers and 80% vs. 0% in neonates, respectively, P<0.05]. The relationship between the TRAb and occurrence of CH was significant [P<0.05], whereas the corresponding figure was not significant for TRAb and the level of maternal and neonatal TSH in case and control groups [P>0.05]. It seems that autoimmunity has an important role in the etiology of CH. Further studies are necessary to determine other autoantibodies in CH patients

Association between Serum Ferritin and Goitre in Iranian School Children.

Despite long-standing supplementation of iodine in Iran, the prevalence of goitre among general people remains high in some regions. The study investigated the role of iron status in the aetiology of goitre in school children in Isfahan, Iran. Two thousand three hundred and thirty-one school children were selected by multi-stage random sampling. Thyroid size was estimated by inspection and palpation. Urinary iodine concentration (UIC) and serum ferritin (SF) were measured. Overall, 32.9% of the children had goitre. The median UIC was 195.5 μg/L. The mean±SD of SF in the goitrous and non-goitrous children was 47.65±42.51 and 44.55±37.07 μg/L respectively (p=0.52). The prevalence of iron deficiency in goitrous and non-goitrous children was 9.6% and 3.1% respectively (p=0.007). Goitre is still prevalent in school children of Isfahan. However, their median UIC was well in the accepted range. Iron deficiency is associated with goitre in a small group of goitrous children. The role of goitrogens should also be investigated in this region.

Growth charts of heights and weights of male children and adolescents of Isfahan, Iran.

Measurements of height and weight are important data source relating to growth and development, puberty, and nutritional status of children and adolescents. In clinical setting, the charts of the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), USA, are used in Iran. A survey identified significant differences in weight- and height-for-age across provinces, between urban and rural children. Although the percentiles derived from data of the national health survey, in 1990-1992, were substantially below the NCHS charts, the growth patterns were parallel to the NCHS percentiles. In 1997, an anthropometric assessment of male students aged 6-18 years was conducted in Isfahan, a centrally-located city in Iran. The goal of the study was to establish the normograms of heights and weights in Isfahan for use in clinical settings. By a random cluster sample survey, 4,364 of 200,000 male students aged 6-18 years were selected from all areas of the city. Trained health staff measured their heights (cm) and weights (kg), and all the percentiles were calculated. A comparison was made with weight and height data collected from other parts of the country on several occasions. Findings showed that the growth percentiles of 6-18-year male students of Isfahan in 1997 were comparable to the NCHS charts. These students were taller and heavier than their fellow-citizens 22 years earlier, their compatriots in rural areas of Isfahan (1997) and Rasht (1989). They were also taller than those who were living in Tehran (1994). A similar study was conducted at the same time on urban Isfahani female students aged 6-18 years. All the percentiles of their height and weight curves were comparable with those of the NCHS charts. Thus, it is appropriate to use the NCHS charts for school-age children and adolescents in Isfahan city. The cause of improvement in growth parameters in Isfahan should be evaluated in future studies.