ACE I/D gene polymorphisms and polycystic ovary syndrome manifestations.

Objective: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common multifactorial endocrine disorder affecting women of reproductive age. ACE enzyme is involved in the physiopathology of the ovarian system, and there are inconsistencies between studies regarding the association between ACE gene variants and PCOS. The objective of this study is to evaluate the association between ACE I/D gene polymorphisms and PCOS, as well as its clinical manifestations, in Iranian women with PCOS. Design: This study included 140 patients with PCOS and 153 controls without the disease. Samples were collected from Yas Hospital Complex in Tehran-Iran during 2018 to 2022. Genomic DNA was obtained from whole blood samples using salt extraction, and genotyping was carried out using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: Variants of DD, ID, and II were observed in 31.4, 44.3, and 24.3% of PCOS, and 38.6, 44.1, and 17.2% of control group, respectively. The frequency of ACE gene variants did not differ between PCOS patients and control group. A significant difference was observed between the frequency of elevated LH to FSH ratio > 2 and ACE gene polymorphisms in patients with PCOS (OR: 0.32 (0.12-0.88), P value 0.024) with lower frequency observed in D allele carriers. Conclusion: This study indicate that although ACE I/D variants frequency in PCOS women is similar to non-PCOS women, it may be involved in the pathogenesis of the disease through mechanisms regulating steroidogenesis in the ovary and suggests that ACE might be related to exacerbated clinical manifestations of PCOS which requires further investigations.

Short-term side effects of COVID-19 vaccines among healthcare workers: a multicenter study in Iran.

Since the initiation of the COVID-19 vaccination effort, there has been widespread concern regarding vaccine efficacy and potential side effects. This study aimed to explore the short-term side effects of four available COVID-19 vaccines (Sputnik V, Sinopharm, Oxford-AstraZeneca, and Covaxin) among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Iran. The multicenter study involved 1575 HCWs, with the majority received Sputnik V (74.1%), followed by Covaxin (15.6%), Sinopharm (6.4%), and Oxford-AstraZeneca (3.8%). The prevalence of at least one side effect after the first and second dose COVID-19 vaccine was 84.6% and 72.9%, respectively. The common side effects (presented in > 50% of the study participants) after the first dose of the vaccine were injection site pain (61.7%), myalgia (51.8%), and muscle pain (50.9%). The most reported side effects after the second dose of the vaccine were injection site pain (26.8%), myalgia (15.8%), fever (10.3%), headache (9.9%), and chills (9.2%). In conclusion, according to the COVID-19 vaccine type, different side effects might occur following the first and second doses of vaccination. These findings assist in addressing the ongoing problems of vaccination hesitancy which has been driven by widespread worries about the vaccine safety profile.

Association of the APOE gene variants with depression in type 2 diabetes.

Background: The risk of depression among patients with diabetes is higher than the general population. The exact mechanisms linking these two diseases are mostly unknown. Energy metabolism disorders seem to be a shared pathway. One of the key genes playing important roles in energy metabolism-related pathways is the APOE gene. We aimed to investigate the association of the APOE gene variants with depression among Iranian patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Methods: Three APOE gene alleles and genotypes frequencies (E2, E3, E4) were determined in 244 patients with T2DM (114 with depression and 130 without depression) using the high-resolution melting (HRM) method on the genomic DNA extracted from the patient's peripheral blood. Results: Apoe4 allele frequency was significantly higher in T2DM patients without depression compared with those with depression (11.9 vs. 2.2%, p-value < 0.0001 and p-value = 0.001, respectively). Conversely, the wild allele apoe3 frequency was significantly higher in T2DM patients with depression (86% vs., 69%, p-value < 0.0001). Apoe4 carrier status was associated with decreased risk of depression in patients with T2DM [OR: 0.19 (0.07-0.53)]. Conclusion: Our results showed that the apoe4 allele and apoe4 carrier status significantly reduced the risk of depression among patients with T2DM. Further studies are needed to unravel the complex role of the APOE gene in depression among patients with diabetes.

The Effect of Metformin on Expression of Long Non-coding RNA H19 in Endometrial Cancer.

Background: Endometrial cancer is the fourth most widespread cancer among females, with a growing prevalence in recent years. Management by combined therapies along with surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy have improved patients' prognoses. Besides, the development of new therapies helps preserve fertility and prognosis in aggressive tumors. The purpose of this research was to identify the efficacy of metformin on the H19 long non-coding RNA expression in endometrial cancer to provide further insight into the pathogenesis and treatment of the disease. Methods: A total of 23 patients with endometrial cancer, diagnosed by biopsy or diagnostic curettage, were recruited and divided into three groups, before and after metformin treatment and placebo. Real-time PCR was used to evaluate the H19 expression in cancer tissue in all patients. Results: : It has been observed that in endometrial tissue of the "after-metformin" treatment group, the H19 expression level was significantly reduced, compared with the "before-metformin" treatment group, but not in comparison with the placebo. These findings indicate that metformin reduced the H19 expression in endometrial cancer. Conclusion: Anti-diabetic drugs, such as metformin, may be beneficial by reducing the H19 expression in endometrial cancer due to the H19 relation to cancer progression.