Effect of gene polymorphisms on lipoprotein levels in patients with dyslipidemia of metabolic syndrome.

Dyslipidemia in the metabolic syndrome (MS) is considered to be one of the most important risk factors for atherosclerosis. It is characterized by hypertriglyceridemia, low concentration of plasma HDL-cholesterol, predominance of small dense LDL particles and an increased concentration of plasma apolipoprotein B (apoB). The pathogenesis of this type of dyslipidemia is partially explained, but its genetic background is still unknown. To evaluate the influence of cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) TaqIB polymorphism, lipoprotein lipase (LPL) PvuII and HindIII polymorphisms, hepatic lipase (LIPC) G-250A polymorphism and apolipoprotein C-III (APOC3) SstI gene polymorphism on lipid levels in dyslipidemia of the metabolic syndrome, 150 patients with dyslipidemia of metabolic syndrome were included. 96 % of patients had type 2 diabetes. The patients did not take any lipid lowering treatment. The exclusion criterion was the presence of any disease that could affect lipid levels, such as thyroid disorder, liver disease, proteinuria or renal failure. Gene polymorphisms were determined using the polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphisms. The genotype subgroups of patients divided according to examined polymorphisms did not differ in plasma lipid levels with the exception of apoB. The apoB level was significantly higher in patients with S1S1 genotype of APOC3 SstI polymorphism when compared with S1S2 group (1.10+/-0.26 vs. 0.98+/-0.21 g/l, p=0.02). Similarly, patients with H-H- genotype of LPL HindIII polymorphism had significantly higher mean apoB, compared with H+H- and H+H+ group (1.35+/-0.30 vs. 1.10+/-0.26 g/l, p=0.02). In the multiple stepwise linear regression analysis, apoB level seemed to be influenced by APOC3 SstI genotype, which explained 6 % of its variance. The present study has shown that the S1 allele of APOC3 SstI polymorphism and the H- allele of LPL HindIII polymorphism might have a small effect on apoB levels in the Central European Caucasian population with dyslipidemia of metabolic syndrome.

[The thyroid gland in women during the reproductive age]. / Stítna zl'aza u zien v reprodukcnom veku.

OBJECTIVE: To find out thyroid volume and its functional status in women in reproductive age as well as possible correlation between thyroid size and functional status and age and residential location of women. DESIGN: Project can be characterized as an epidemiological study and consists of three separate observations. SETTING: 1st Internal Clinic, UPJS, Kosice, Medical Faculty, Slovakia. METHODS: 347 women from different regions of Eastern Slovakia (160 aged 20-29 and 187 aged 30-40) were measured thyroid volume via ultrasonography and thyroid functional status by RIA TSH and anti TPO examinations. Urinary iodine was examined in 70 cases. In this part of the study correlation between thyroid size and functional status and age and residential location of women were determined. Four days after delivery thyroid volume in 99 women was measured. The volume was correlated with the number of previous pregnancies. Thyroid volume was correlated with residential location and number of pregnancies of 77 women that had not delivered in the previous year. RESULTS: Women aged 20-29 years had thyroid volume smaller than women aged 30-40 (8.78 ml/10.66 ml; p < 0.01). The size of thyroid gland was not only affected by age but also by residential location. The largest thyroid glands and increased level of anti TPO antibodies in both age groups were found in women from agricultural regions and regions close to chemical factory. The women with anti TPO antibodies had increased level of TSH as well as more frequently changed echogenity of thyroid gland. Median of urinary iodine was 13.2 micrograms/dl in both age groups and indicated sufficient iodine intake in the observed area. The volume of thyroid gland four days after delivery did not exceed 22 ml in 89.9% of cases. Significant difference in size of thyroid gland depending on number of previous deliveries was not only observed in women 4 days after delivery but also in those that had not delivered during previous year. The largest volumes were measured in secundiparous mothers. CONCLUSION: Polluted environment affects the size and functional status of thyroid gland. Environment can via this negative impact on thyroid gland influence fertility, pregnancy and fetus development in women in reproductive age.