Polymorphisms of leptin-melanocortin system genes associated with obesity in an adult population from Barranquilla / [Polimorfismos de los genes del sistema leptina-melanocortina asociados con la obesidad en la población adulta de Barranquilla].

Introduction: Obesity is considered a serious public health problem. Efforts have been directed to search for candidate genes such as LEP, LEPR, and MC4R involved in the leptin-melanocortin system. The neuroendocrine regulation of these genes on energy intake and balance influences the pathogenesis of this disease. Contradictory results regarding the association of these genes with obesity raise the need for new research. Objective: To analyze the association between obesity and LEP rs2167270, LEPR rs1137101, and MC4R rs17782313 polymorphisms and the clinical and biochemical variables in obese adults from Barranquilla, Colombia. Materials and methods: We analyzed 111 obese adults and 155 non-obese individuals as controls. The polymorphisms were determined by real-time PCR. Besides, anthropometric measures, blood pressure, and biochemical tests were evaluated. Results: No statistical differences were found in allele and genotype frequencies of gene polymorphisms between groups. The CC genotype of MC4R rs17782313 polymorphism was associated with increased systolic blood pressure and T allele and TT genotype, with decreased HDL cholesterol in obese adults. The effect of the other polymorphisms on these variables was not evidenced. Conclusions: LEP rs2167270, LEPR rs1137101, and MC4R rs17782313 polymorphisms were not associated with obesity in the population under study. MC4R rs17782313 polymorphisms were associated with an increase in systolic blood pressure and a decrease in HDL cholesterol.

Introducción. La obesidad se considera un grave problema de salud pública y por ello se hacen esfuerzos en la búsqueda de genes como el LEP, el LEPR y el MC4R del sistema leptina-melanocortina, el cual opera en la regulación neuroendocrina de la ingestión y el equilibrio energético e influye en la patogenia de la enfermedad. Los resultados contradictorios en torno a la asociación de estos genes con la obesidad plantean la necesidad de nuevas investigaciones. Objetivo. Analizar los polimorfismos rs2167270 del gen LEP, rs1137101 del gen LEPR y rs17782313 del gen MC4R asociados con la obesidad y sus variables clínicas y bioquímicas en una muestra de pacientes adultos de Barranquilla. Materiales y métodos. Se estudiaron 111 personas obesas y 155 no obesas como controles. Los polimorfismos se determinaron mediante reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) en tiempo real. Se tomaron las medidas antropométricas, se evaluó la presión arterial y se hicieron pruebas bioquímicas. Resultados. No se encontraron diferencias estadísticas en la frecuencia alélica y genotípica de los polimorfismos en los grupos estudiados. En cuanto a las variables clínicas y bioquímicas, el genotipo CC del polimorfismo rs17782313 del gen MC4R, se asoció con un aumento de la presión arterial sistólica y, el alelo T y su genotipo homocigoto, con una disminución del colesterol HDL en los obesos. No se evidenció ningún efecto de los otros polimorfismos en estas variables. Conclusiones. Los polimorfismos rs2167270 del gen LEP, rs1137101 del gen LEPR y rs17782313 del gen MC4R, no se asociaron con obesidad en la población analizada. Se encontró que el polimorfismo rs17782313 del gen MC4R influyó en el aumento de la presión arterial sistólica y la disminución del colesterol HDL en las personas obesas.

APOE gene polymorphism analysis in Barranquilla, Colombia.

INTRODUCTION: The genetic variability present in the APOE gene polymorphism is considered an important factor associated with predisposition to diseases affecting lipid metabolism, as well as heart diseases and Alzheimer's disease, among others. Understanding it as a risk factor in different populations and ethnic groups is a useful tool.  OBJECTIVE: To analyze the APOE gene polymorphism and determine allelic and genotypic frequencies of a representative sample of population from Barranquilla, Colombia.  MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a descriptive and comparative study. The sample size was 227 unrelated individuals from Barranquilla, Colombia.  RESULTS: The most frequent allele was the ε3, with 85%, followed by the ε4 allele (13%) and ε2 (1.8%). The genotypes found were: ε3/ε3: 71.8%, ε3/ε4: 24.2%, ε2/ε3: 2.2%, ε2/ε4: 1.3% and ε4/ε4: 0.4%. The ε2/ε2 genotype was not found in this study. The sample exhibited the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.  CONCLUSION: The frequency of the ε3 allele and the ε3/ε3 genotype was similar to that reported in the literature in countries like Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and in some Colombian Amerindian ethnic groups. The ε2/ε2 genotype was absent. This result is consistent with those found in other population groups worldwide. The frequency of the ε4 allele and the genotypes associated in this population could be related to the presence of diseases such as hypercholesterolemia, myocardial infarction and Alzheimer.

Análisis del polimorfismo del gen APOE en la población de Barranquilla, Colombia / APOE gene polymorphism analysis in Barranquilla, Colombia

Introducción. La variabilidad genética del polimorfismo del gen APOE se considera un importante factor asociado a la predisposición a las enfermedades que afectan el metabolismo lipídico, a las enfermedades coronarias y a la enfermedad de Alzheimer, entre otras. En este sentido, es útil conocer este factor de riesgo en diferentes poblaciones y grupos étnicos. Objetivos. Analizar el polimorfismo del gen APOE y determinar las frecuencias alélicas y genotípicas de una muestra representativa de la población de Barranquilla, Colombia. Materiales y métodos. Se hizo en Barranquilla un estudio descriptivo y comparativo de 227 individuos no relacionados. Resultados. El alelo e3 se presentó con mayor frecuencia (85 %), seguido del alelo e4 (13 %) y, con menor frecuencia, el alelo e2 (1,8 %). Los genotipos observados fueron los siguientes: e3/e3 en 71,8 %, e3/e4 en 24,2 %, e2/e3 en 2,2 %, e2/e4 en 1,3 % y e4/e4 en 0,4 %. El genotipo e2/e2 no se encontró en este estudio. La muestra representativa de la población estaba en equilibrio de Hardy-Weinberg. Conclusiones. Las frecuencias alélicas e3 y el genotipo e3/e3 encontrados en la población estudiada, fueron similares a lo informado por la literatura científica en países como Brasil, México y Colombia, y en algunos grupos étnicos amerindios colombianos. No se encontró el genotipo e2/e2, resultado que coincide con otras poblaciones estudiadas a nivel mundial. La frecuencia del alelo e4 y sus genotipos asociados en esta población, podría estar relacionada con la presencia de enfermedades como la hipercolesterolemia, el infarto de miocardio y la enfermedad de Alzheimer.

Introduction: The genetic variability present in the APOE gene polymorphism is considered an important factor associated with predisposition to diseases affecting lipid metabolism , as well as heart diseases and Alzheimer´s disease, among others. Understanding it as a risk factor in different populations and ethnic groups is a useful tool. Objective: To analyze the APOE gene polymorphism and determine allelic and genotypic frequencies of a representative sample of population from Barranquilla, Colombia. Materials and methods: We performed a descriptive and comparative study. The sample size was 227 unrelated individuals from Barranquilla, Colombia Results: The most frequent allele was the e 3, with 85%, followed by the e 4 allele (13%) and e 2 (1.8%). The genotypes found were: e 3/ e 3: 71.8%, e 3/ e 4: 24.2%, e 2/ e 3: 2.2%, e 2/ e 4: 1.3% and e 4/ e 4: 0.4%. The e 2/ e 2 genotype was not found in this study. The sample exhibited the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Conclusion : The frequency of the e 3 allele and the e 3/ e 3 genotype was similar to that reported in the literature in countries like Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and in some Colombian Amerindian ethnic groups. The e 2/ e 2 genotype was absent. This result is consistent with those found in other population groups worldwide. The frequency of the e 4 allele and the genotypes associated in this population could be related to the presence of diseases such as hypercholesterolemia, myocardial infarction and Alzheimer.

NAT2 gene polymorphisms in three indigenous groups in the Colombian Caribbean Coast region.

OBJECTIVE: To study the NAT2 gene polymorphisms 481T, 590A and 857A in the Chimila, Wiwa and Wayuu indigenous groups of the Colombian Caribbean to determine the frequencies of the alleles NAT2*4, NAT2*5, NAT2*6, and NAT2*7 and to determine the types of acetylators present in these populations. METHODS: A total of 202 subjects were studied: 47 Chimila, 55 Wiwa, and 100 Wayuu. The polymorphisms were identified using a real-time PCR method for allelic discrimination designed using Taqman of Applied Biosystems. RESULTS: The following alleles were found at the highest frequency in the following groups: the NAT2*4 allele (wild type) in the Wayuu group (55.3%), the NAT2*5 allele in the Wiwa group (34.5%), and the NAT2*7 allele in the Chimila group (24.2%). A higher frequency of the rapid acetylator status was found in the Wayuu group (31.3%) and Chimila group (29.5%) compared with the Wiwa group (12.7%). The intermediate acetylator status distribution was very similar in all three groups, and the frequency of the slow acetylator status was higher in the Wiwa group (32.7%) compared with the Chimila and Wayuu groups (20.5% and 21.2%, respectively). CONCLUSION: The results demonstrated the allelic distribution and pharmacogenetic differences of the three groups studied and revealed the most frequent acetylator status and phenotype. Because of the high prevalence of slow acetylators, a greater incidence of tuberculosis (TB) drug-induced hepatotoxicity is predicted in these populations, with a higher frequency in the Wiwa group.

OBJETIVO: Estudiar los polimorfismos tipo SNP (del inglés-single nucleotide polymorphism) 481T, 590A y 857A del gen NAT2, en los grupos indígenas Chimila, Wiwa y Wayúu del Caribe Colombiano para determinar las frecuencias de los alelos NAT2*4, NAT2*5, NAT2*6 y NAT2*7 y caracterizar el tipo de acetiladores presentes en estas poblaciones. MÉTODOS: Se estudiaron 202 individuos en total, 47 Chimila, 55 Wiwa y 100 Wayúu. Los polimorfismos se determinaron mediante la técnica de PCR en tiempo real por el método de discriminación alélica Taqman de Applied Biosystems. RESULTADOS: El alelo NAT2*4 (wild type) mostró una mayor frecuencia en el grupo Wayúu (55.3%), el alelo NAT2*5 en el grupo Wiwa (34.5%) y el alelo NAT2*7 en el grupo Chimila (24.2%). Se encontró una mayor frecuencia del estado acetilador rápido en el grupo Wayúu (31.3%) y en el grupo Chimila (29.5%) al compararse con el grupo Wiwa (12.7%). La distribución del estado acetilador intermedio es muy similar en los tres grupos, y para el estado acetilador lento observamos que en el grupo Wiwa la frecuencia es mayor (32.7%) con respecto a Chimila y Wayúu con 20.5% y 21.2% respectivamente. CONCLUSIONES: Los resultados permitieron conocer la distribución alélica y el componente farmacogenético de los tres grupos estudiados; igualmente, deducir el estado acetilador y/o fenotipo más frecuente. Debido a la alta prevalencia de acetiladores lentos, se podría predecir un aumento de la incidencia de hepatotóxicidad inducida por medicamentos antituberculosos como la Isoniacida indicados en estas poblaciones y en mayor frecuencia en el grupo Wiwa.

Secuencia de displasia caudal: Estudio clínico y radiológico de un paciente / Caudal dysplasia sequence: Clinical and radiological study of a patient

La secuencia de displasia caudal (SDC), denominada también síndrome de regresión caudal y síndrome de agenesia sacra, es una malformación congénita poco frecuente, que incluye principalmente agenesia con extensión variable de cuerpos vertebrales distales lumbosacrococcígeos y/o sacrococcígeos. En este trabajo se presentan criterios diagnósticos por imagen, clasificación y estudio de un caso clínico.

Caudal dysplasia sequence (CDS), also called caudal regression syndrome and syndrome of sacral agenesis is a rare congenital malformation, which includes agenesis with variable extension of lumbo-sacral-coccygeal distal and sacrococcygeal vertebral bodies. In this article we review diagnostic criteria, classification and report a clinical case.

Síndrome de TAR y estado de heterocigosis para anemia falciforme / TAR síndrome and heterozygosis in sickle cell anemia

Resumen: Presentación de un paciente con el cuadro clínico del síndrome de TAR, quien presenta además unestado de heterocigosis para anemia falciforme.El síndrome de TAR, descrito por primera vez en 1959 por Shaw y Oliver, es un trastorno genético nocomún que ocurre con una prevalencia aproximada de 1: 500.000 a 1: 1.000.000 de nacidos vivos.En 1969 Hall y col. delinearon los criterios diagnósticos de este síndrome que incluyen ausenciabilateral del radio con presencia de ambos pulgares y trombocitopenia. Otras anomalías descritas enmenor frecuencia son: Alteraciones óseas del húmero y cúbito, en los casos severos, focomelia, malformacionesde expresión variable en extremidades inferiores, malformaciones cardiacas e intoleranciaa la leche de vaca (1, 2).Los hallazgos encontrados en este caso se comparan con los de la literatura y se discute su posibleetiología, además de resaltar la importancia de realizar un diagnóstico y tratamiento precoz y precisoespecialmente de la trombocitopenia.Palabras clave: Malformaciones congénitas, aplasia, hipoplasia, trombocitopenia, anemiafalciforme.

Abstract: This paper shows a patient with clinical features of the TAR syndrome, who presents heterozigosisstate for sickle cell anemia.The TAR syndrome was described by Shaw and Oliver in 1959, it is a rare genetic disease, occurringwith an approximate prevalence of 1 case in 500.000 to 1 million births. Hall et al. described thecurrent diagnostic criteria for TAR syndrome in 1969. These include bilateral absence of the radiiin the presence of both thumbs and trombocytopenia. Other anomalies described included ulnar orhumeral defects and the most severe cases phocomelia, lower limb involvement is variable, cadiacanomalies and cow’s milk intolerance (1,2)In this paper, we compare the findings of the literature review, discuss the ethiology and the importanceof a diagnostic and treatment specially for trombocytopeniaKey words: Congenital malformations, aplasia, hypoplasia, trombocytope...

CFTR mutations in patients from Colombia: implications for local and regional molecular diagnosis programs.

Cystic Fibrosis is a worldwide distributed hereditary disease. The incidence of the main (p.F508del) and other frequent mutations has been determined in a great number of countries and ethnic groups, but its incidence in most Latin American countries has remained unknown until recently. It is now beginning to be recognized as a frequent cause of infant mortality, and some countries report the incidence of their mutations. Colombia started several years ago a concerted program of molecular study of patients which were clinically diagnosed as probable cystic fibrosis. We screened the whole CFTR (ABCC7) coding sequence in 92 patients from 6 different geographic regions, using conventional PAGE analyses and DGGE followed by sequencing. Additionally, we established the frequency of the p.F508del mutation in 130 unrelated healthy controls. The results of this pilot study in Colombian patients from various ethnic admixture show six main mutations: p.F508del (41.8%), c.1811+1.6kbA>G (6.5%), p.G542X (3.8%), p.S549R (2.2%), p.W1282X (1.1%) and p.R1162X (1.1%). Thirteen other rare mutations, including three novel, were detected, accounting for a total of 63.6% known mutations. There is a great variability between the geographic regions, both in the frequency of the p.F508del mutation and non-p.F508del CF chromosomes. Our results point to a varied origin of the disease genes. These results also show that careful scrutiny of the mutations is needed in each part of Latin America in order to establish priority-screening protocols adapted to each country and region.

Estudios moleculares en pacientes colombianos con Fibrosis quística

La fibrosis quística (FQ), la enfermedad autosómica recesiva más frecuente en poblaciones caucásicas, tiene una incidencia promedio de 1/2.500 recién nacidos