Influences of electric fields on the operation of Aqy1 aquaporin channels: a molecular dynamics study.

The dynamics of water molecules inside an Aquaporin channel, embedded within a stochastically fluctuating membrane, was modeled by means of the application of the molecular dynamics (MD) simulation method. We considered the effect of the existence and nonexistence of an external electric field, either constant or oscillating, on the stability of the channel. It was observed that the permeation of water molecules through the channel was increased when the channel was exposed to a constant electric field of strength -0.2 mV nm-1. Moreover, oscillating electric fields of 5 and 10 GHz frequencies, which is the range of field frequency generally present in our daily life, were applied to the channel, showing not significant effects on the stability of the channel and its important parts. In addition, we investigated the influence of the application of electric fields on the water molecule ordinations in the channels, and the results showed that the water molecule orientations were changed in response to the applied field.

Membrane bioreactors troubleshooting through the preparation of a high antifouling PVDF ultrafiltration mixed-matrix membrane blended with O-carboxymethyl chitosan-Fe3O4 nanoparticles.

Polymeric ultrafiltration (UF) membranes often used in membrane bioreactor (MBR) prone to be fouled by fouling agents. Therefore, in this paper, the antifouling characteristics of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) UF membranes for wastewater treatment are improved through modifying membranes by O-carboxymethyl chitosan (OCMCS)-functionalized Fe3O4 nanoparticles (OCMCSFe3O4). The modifier agent was manufactured by the adsorption of OCMCS on Fe3O4 nanoparticles, which were synthesized via co-precipitating method. Antifouling performance of membranes was assessed by permeation tests done using activated sludge suspension as a biological foulant, then the calculation of the pure water flux recovery ratio (FRR) and fouling resistance parameters. Also, to investigate the protein rejection of membranes, permeation tests were conducted by the bovine serum albumin (BSA) solution. According to the obtained results, surface hydrophilicity of the embedded membranes was improved in the low concentrations of the modified nanoparticles. However, the high quantity of the OCMCS-Fe3O4 nanoparticles (>0.1 wt. %) in the casting solution lessened membrane performance owing to the agglomeration of the nanoparticles in the polymer matrix. Although, the 1 wt. % OCMCS-Fe3O4 membrane revealed considerably higher PWF and permeation than that of the other membranes. It was because of defects and cracks in the membranes. The 0.05 wt. % OCMCS-Fe3O4/PVDF membrane exhibited the highest FRR (95.7%) and protein rejection value (48%) and the lowest irreversible fouling resistance (Rir) value (4.2%). It is concluded that the blended membranes with modified nanoparticles resulted in a high-flux ultrafiltration membrane comparable with microfiltration membrane, while its separation properties remained similar to UF membrane.

Association of the CYP17 MSP AI (T-34C) and CYP19 codon 39 (Trp/Arg) polymorphisms with susceptibility to acne vulgaris.

The aim of this study was to detect the association of the cytochrome P450 (CYP) 17 T-34C and CYP19 T

Synthesis of enhanced phosphonic functional groups mesoporous silica for uranium selective adsorption from aqueous solutions.

Enhanced phosphonic functional group (PFG)-based mesoporous silicas (MSs) were synthesized by hydrothermal method for uranium [U(VI)] selective adsorption from aqueous solutions. Considering that PFGs are directly related to U(VI) adsorption, the main idea of this research was to synthesize enhanced PFG-MSs and consequently enhance U(VI) adsorption. We synthesized two kinds of MSs based on acetic and phosphoric acids at weakly acidic pH, which allows high-loading phosphonic functionality. The main sodium and phosphonic functionality sources were sodium metasilicate and diethylphosphatoethyltriethoxysilane (DPTS). Adsorption experiment results exhibit enhanced U(VI) adsorption capacity from 55.75 mg/g to 207.6 mg/g for acetic and phosphoric acids, respectively. This finding was due to the enhancement of PFGs by phosphoric acids. The highest adsorption selectivity was 79.82% for U(VI) among the six different elements, including Pb, As, Cu, Mo, Ni, and K. Structural characterization of the samples was performed by Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis methods. Element concentrations were measured by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Several parameters affecting adsorption capacity, including pH, contact time, initial U(VI) concentration and solution volume, and adsorbent concentration, were also investigated.

Modulation of oxidative and glycolytic skeletal muscle fibers Na+/H+ exchanger1 (NHE1) and Na+/HCO3- co-transporter1 (NBC1) genes and proteins expression in type 2 diabetic rat (Streptozotocin + high fat diet) following long term endurance training.

Diabetes is known to alter both oxidative and glycolytic pathways in a fiber type-dependent manner. The aim of present study was to investigate the effects of endurance training on muscle NHE1 and NBC1 genes and proteins expression in type 2 diabetic rats. Male wistar rats (n=30), 4 weeks old and 95.7±10.8g, were randomly selected and divided into control, diabetic without training and diabetic with training groups. Diabetes was induced by injection of low dose of streptotozin and feeding with high-fat diet. The Endurance training was performed for 7 weeks that started with relatively low speed and duration of 20 m min-1 for 20 min in the first week and gradually reached to 30 m min-1 for 35min in the last week. NHE1 and NBC1 genes and proteins expression were determined by Real time-PCR and western blotting techniques, respectively, in Soleus as an oxidative and EDL (Extensor digitorum longus) as a glycolytic muscle preparation. NHE1 mRNA and protein expression reduced significantly in EDL and Soleus in the diabetic without training group compared with the control group. However, reduction in the expression of NBC1 gene and protein in the diabetic without training group compared to controls did not significant. Endurance training increased NHE1 and NBC1 genes and proteins expression in both EDL and Soleus in the diabetic training group compared to control groups. In conclusion, endurance training may improve the capacity of pHi regulation in muscles by lactate-independent pathway.

Angiotensin type 1 receptor A1166C polymorphism and systemic lupus erythematosus: correlation with cellular immunity and oxidative stress markers.

Angiotensin II, one of the rennin-angiotensin system components, is important in the cardiovascular hemodynamic and plays an important role in the development of cardiovascular disease in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. The angiotensin II, through interaction with angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AGTR1), promotes proliferation, inflammation and fibrosis. The single nucleotide polymorphism of the AGTR1 (dbSNP: rs5186) gene can be associated with development and progression of SLE disease. The aims of this study were to compare the frequency of AGTR1 rs5186 in SLE patients with healthy individuals and to evaluate possible association between AGTR1 A1166C gene polymorphism and serum level of lipids, neopterin and malondialdehyde in SLE patients from a population of West Iran. One hundred SLE patients and 98 healthy subjects were studied. The AGTR1 A1166C polymorphism was detected by polymerase chain reaction- restriction fragment length polymorphism method and the serum lipid profile was obtained by enzymatic method. Neopterin and malondialdehyde were detected using high-performance liquid chromatography. We did not detect significant association between AGTR1 A1166C polymorphism and the risk of SLE. The levels of triglyceride (225 ± 118 mg/dl), neopterin (30 ± 24 nmol/l) and malondialdehyde (25 ± 9.6 nmol/l) in SLE patients were significantly higher than those in control subjects (139 ± 56 mg/dl, p = 0.03, 6.4 ± 2, p = 0.03, 9.4 ± 2.5 nmol/l, p = 0.01, respectively). Individuals with AGTR1 AC + CC genotype had higher levels of total cholesterol and malondialdehyde compared with those with AGTR1 AA genotype. SLE patients with either AGTR1 AA or AGTR1AC + CC genotype had significantly higher malondialdehyde or neopterin levels compared with the corresponding control subjects. In conclusion, although the present study did not find any association between AGTR1 A1166C polymorphism and the risk of SLE, the presence of this polymorphism was associated with higher levels of malondialdehyde and higher concentration of neopterin in patients.

Association between the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 mutations and the susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus; Contribution markers of inflammation and oxidative stress.

The cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) also known as CD152 (cluster of differentiation 152) is a crucial negative regulator of the immune system. This protein receptor provides negative signals in order to suppress T-cell activation and immune attack against self-antigens, although its role is unclear.  The ability of CTLA-4 to limit T cell-mediated immune response has made it a major target in treatment of tumors and autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In this study, we investigated whether CTLA-4 G-1661A and CTLA-4 T-1722C mutations are associated with SLE. So one hundred nine SLE patients and 101 gender and age-matched unrelated healthy controls were recruited for this case-control study. The promoter mutations were detected by PCR-RFLP, neopterin, malondialdehyde (MDA) and serum lipid concentration were determined by HPLC and enzyme assay, respectively. RESULT: We found that both codominant (AA vs. GG) and recessive (AA vs. GA+GG) CTLA-4 G-1661A mutation significantly decreased the risk of SLE by 1.7 and 3.7 times, respectively.  Interestingly, SLE patients with AA genotypes of CTLA-4 G-1661A have lower neopterin and MDA concentration compared with GA+GG genotypes. The overall distribution of CTLA-4 T-1722C genotypes and alleles in SLE patients were similar to those in control group. In conclusion, our findings showed, that there is an association between systemic inflammatory markers, oxidative stress and the CTLA-4 G-1661A GG+AG genotypes, MDA and neopterin which are the most conventional risk factors for coronary heart disease, therefore these mutations may be consider as a risk factor for susceptibility to heart disease in SLE patients.

Allele specific-PCR and melting curve analysis showed relatively high frequency of ß-casein gene A1 allele in Iranian Holstein, Simmental and native cows.

There are two allelic forms of A1 and A2 of ß-casein gene in dairy cattle. Proteolytic digestion of bovine ß-casein A1 type produces bioactive peptide of ß-casomorphin-7 known as milk devil. ß-casomorphin-7 causes many diseases, including type 1 diabetes, cardiovascular disease syndrome, sudden death and madness. The aim of the present study was to determine the different allelic forms of ß-casein gene in Iranian Holstein, Simmental and native cattle in order to identify A1 and A2 variants. The blood samples were collected randomly and DNA was extracted using modified salting out method. An 854 bp fragment including part of exon 7 and part of intron 6 of ß-casein gene was amplified by allele specific polymerase chain reaction (AS-PCR). Also, the accuracy of AS-PCR genotyping has been confirmed by melting temperature curve analysis using Real-time PCR machinery. The comparison of observed allele and genotype frequency among the studied breeds was performed using the Fisher exact and Chi-squared test, respectively by SAS program. Obtained results showed the A1 allele frequencies of 50, 51.57, 54.5, 49.4 and 46.6% in Holstein, Simmental, Sistani, Taleshi and Mazandarani cattle populations, respectively. The chi-square test was shown that no any populations were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for studied marker locus. Comparison and analysis of the test results for allelic frequency showed no any significant differences between breeds (P>0.05). The frequency of observed genotypes only differs significantly between Holstein and Taleshi breeds but no any statistically significant differences were found for other breeds (P>0.05). A relatively high frequency of ß-casein A1 allele was observed in Iranian native cattle. Therefore, determine the genotypes and preference alleles A2 in these native and commercial cattle is recommended.

Evaluation of MMP-7 A-181G and MMP-2 C-735T polymorphisms in healthy population from western Iran.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in multiple physiological and pathological processes. Variable frequency of the MMPs gene variants might affect the susceptibility to certain diseases. The aim of present study was to investigate the frequency of MMP-7 A-181G and MMP-2 C-735T variants in healthy population of Western Iran with Kurdish ethnic background. Individuals were medical students and staff members of the Medical School of Kermanshah University and blood donors that consisted of 221 females and 94 males. Control subjects were free of general and genetic diseases. Two hundred and eighty available samples including 192 females and 88 males were studied for MMP-2 C-735T polymorphism. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes. The MMP-7 A-181G and MMP-2 C-735T polymorphisms were detected using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. The prevalence of MMP-7 G allele was 40% in studied individuals. The overall frequency of MMP-2 -735T allele was 15%. There was a higher frequency of MMP-2 T allele in females (16.9%) compared to males (10.8%, p=0.059). There were 30 (13.6%) women and 8 men (8.5%) with concomitant presence of MMP-7 AG and MMP-2 CT genotypes. All nine (4.1%) individuals with combined presence of MMP-7 GG and MMP-2 CT genotypes were women. The present study reports the frequency of two MMPs gene polymorphisms in healthy population of Western Iran. Our findings might be useful in evaluating the risk of MMPs in certain diseases. Also, our study suggests genetic admixture and similarities between our population with some Asian and European populations.

Matrix metalloproteinase 9 polymorphisms and systemic lupus erythematosus: correlation with systemic inflammatory markers and oxidative stress.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that involves multiple organs and is characterized by persistent systemic inflammation. Among the effects of inflammatory mediators, the induction of matrix metalloproteinases-2 and -9 (MMP-2 and MMP-9) and oxidative stress has been demonstrated to be important in the development of SLE. In this study, the possible association between MMP-9 and MMP-2 functional promoter polymorphism, stress, and inflammatory markers with development of severe cardiovascular disease (CVD), high blood pressure (HBP), and lupus nephropathy (LN) in SLE patients was investigated. The present case-control study consisted of 109 SLE patients with and without CVD, HBP and LN and 101 gender- and age-matched unrelated healthy controls from a population in western Iran. MMP-2 -G1575A and MMP-9 -C1562T polymorphisms were detected by PCR-RFLP, serum MMP-2 and MMP-9, neopterin, malondialdehyde (MDA) and lipid levels were determined by ELISA, HPLC and enzyme assay, respectively. We found that MMP-9 -C1562 T and MMP-2 -G1575A alleles act synergistically to increase the risk of SLE by 2.98 times (p = 0.015). Findings of this study also demonstrated that there is a significant increase in the serum levels of MMP-2, neopterin and MDA and a significant decrease in serum level of MMP-9 in the presence of MMP-9-C1562 T and MMP-2 -G1575A alleles in SLE patients compared to controls. Further, SLE patients with MMP-9 (C/T + T/T) genotype had significantly higher serum concentrations of MMP-2, neopterin, MDA and LDL-C, but lower serum MMP-9 and HDL-C levels than corresponding members of the control group. MMP-9 (C/T + T/T) genotype increased risk of hypertension in SLE patients 2.71-fold. This study for the first time not only suggests that MMP-9 -C1562 T and MMP-2 -G1575A alleles synergistically increase the risk of SLE but also high serum levels of MDA, neopterin, and circulatory levels of MMP-2 and lower MMP-9 in SLE patients. This information may be important in the evaluation of SLE progression and in the elucidation of the mechanisms of the disease pathogenesis.

Synergistic effects of BuChE non-UU phenotype and paraoxonase (PON1) 55 M allele on the risk of systemic lupus erythematosus: influence on lipid and lipoprotein metabolism and oxidative stress, preliminary report.

There is some evidence indicating lipid peroxidation can affect progression of atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and glomerulonephritis in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Human butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) and paraoxonase-1 (PON1) are two major bioscavenger enzymes that are associated with inflammation, oxidative stress and lipid metabolism. Hyperlipidemia, increase in lipid oxidation reactions and defects in antioxidant status may lead to increased oxidative stress and high frequency of CVDs in SLE. It has also been suggested that deficiency in the function of the antioxidant system and an increase in reactive oxygen release (ROS) may play an important role in the pathogenesis of SLE. This study is the first investigation to examine the association of BuChE phenotypes, PON1 (L55M; PON-55-M) polymorphism, the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), neopterin, lipid-lipoprotein and activities of BuChE and arylesterase activity (ARE) of PON with severity of SLE. The present case-control study consisted of 109 SLE patients and 101 gender- and age-matched, unrelated healthy control subjects from the population of west Iran. We found that the PON-55-M allele and BuChE non-UU act synergistically to increase the risk of SLE by 2.5 times (1.03-6.7, p = 0.044). There was a significant negative correlation between severity of SLE with serum BuChE activity (R = -0.31, p < 0.001) and positive correlation with serum neopterin level. The SLE patients with the PON-55-M (M/L + M/M) allele or with BuChE non-UU phenotype had significantly lower serum ARE and BuChE activities than those with PON-55-L/L or BuChE-UU phenotypes, respectively. In addition, their serum levels of MDA, neopterin and LDL-C were significantly elevated, suggesting that these individuals are more susceptible to CVD. However, further studies are needed to shed more light on the contribution of the M allele of PON1 and non-UU phenotypes of BuChE in the development of SLE in different ethnicities.

Methylentetrahydrofolatereductase (rs1801133) polymorphism and psoriasis: contribution to oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation and correlation with vascular adhesion protein 1, preliminary report.

BACKGROUND: Psoriatic patients are at greater risk of oxidative stress and inflammation which is associated with abnormal plasma lipid metabolism and lipid peroxidation.There is not any information about the clinical significance of relation between methylentetrahydrofolatereductase (MTHFR) 677-T allele with malondialdehyde (MDA), lipids, apolipoproteins and vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1) partakes in the migration process of lymphocytes into sites of inflammation. OBJECTIVES: This study is the first investigation to examine the association of MTHFR (rs1801133) C677T polymorphism, serum level of MDA, VAP-1, lipid-lipoprotein and apolipoproteins with the risk of psoriasis. METHODS: The present case-control study consisted of 100 psoriatic patients and 100 gender- and age-matched unrelated healthy controls from west population of Iran. MTHFR-C677T (rs1801133) polymorphisms were detected by restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), VAP-1 by ELISA, apolipoproteins by immunoprecipitation, lipid and apolipoproteins by spectrophotometery and MDA by HPLC. RESULTS: We found that dominant/recessive model (CC + CT/TT) and T allele of MTHFR-677 alleles significantly 7.45 and 1.76 times increased risk of psoriasis, respectively. The psoriasis patients with MTHFR-677-T (C/T + T/T) allele had significantly higher serum MDA, VAP-1 and apolipoproteinsAPOB concentrations and ratio of APOB/APOA1 than the control subjects.The MTHFR-677-T allele frequencies in psoriasis patients were significantly higher than that in control group (28.5% vs. 18.5%; P = 0.018).We found a significant positive correlation between VAP-1 with MDA (P = 0.047) and LP (a) (P = 0.025). CONCLUSION: In the present study, we demonstrated for the first time that the psoriasis patients with MTHFR-677-T (C/T + T/T) allele had higher serum levels of MDA, VAP-1, APOB and ratio of APOB/APOA1 and dominant/recessive model (CC+CT/TT) and T allele of MTHFR-677 are significantly more common in psoriasis and increased risk of psoriasis by 7.45 and 1.76 fold, respectively. These data suggest that psoriasis patients carrying of TT genotypes and T allele of MTHFR-677 may be more susceptible to cardiovascular disease and myocardial infarction.

Hemospermia: long-term outcome in 165 patients.

Long-term course of hemospermia has not been addressed in the sexual medicine literature. We report our 15 years' experience. From 1997 to 2012, 165 patients presented with hemospermia. Mean age was 38 years. Mean follow-up was 83 months. Laboratory evaluation and testis and transabdominal ultrasonography was done in all. Since 2008, all sonographies were done by the first author. One patient had urinary tuberculosis, one had bladder tumor and three had benign lesions at verumontanum. One patient had bilateral partial ejaculatory duct obstruction by stones. All six patients had persistent, frequently recurring or high-volume hemospermia. All pathologies were found in young patients. In the remaining 159 patients (96%), empiric treatment was given with a fluoroquinolone (Ciprofloxacin) plus an nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (Celecoxib). In our 15 years of follow-up, no patient later developed life-threatening disease. Diagnostic evaluation of hemospermia is not worthwhile in the absolute majority of cases. Advanced age makes no difference. Only high-risk patients need to be evaluated. The vast majority of cases may be safely and effectively treated with empiric therapy. Almost all patients do well in long term.

Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) 55 polymorphism, lipid profiles and psoriasis.

BACKGROUND: Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) is a serum high-density lipoprotein-bound enzyme with antioxidant function. It hydrolyses lipid peroxides, protecting low-density lipoproteins from oxidative modifications. Patients with psoriasis are at greater risk of oxidative stress, which is associated with abnormal plasma lipid metabolism. OBJECTIVES: In this study, association of the PON1 55 M allele with serum arylesterase (ARE) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA), lipid profiles and psoriasis was investigated. METHODS: The present case-control study consisted of 100 patients with psoriasis with and without cardiovascular diseases (mean age 35·3 years) and 100 sex- and age-matched unrelated healthy controls (mean age 35·7 years) from the population of western Iran. The PON1 55 Met>Leu polymorphism was detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Serum ARE activity, MDA, and lipid and apolipoprotein levels were determined spectrophotometrically, by high-performance liquid chromatography and by enzyme assay, respectively. RESULTS: The presence of the PON1 55 M allele was found to be associated with psoriasis (odds ratio = 1·96, P = 0·017). The patients with psoriasis with the PON1 M (M/L + M/M) allele had higher MDA levels (4·12 ± 0·88 vs. 2·24 ± 0·55 µmol L(-1) , P < 0·001), apolipoprotein B (APOB)/APOA1 ratio (0·91 ± 0·66 vs. 0·66 ± 0·35, P = 0·004), APOB (111 ± 38·7 vs. 88·3 ± 22·5 mg mL(-1) , P = 0·001) and lipoprotein(a) [LP(a)] (21·9 ± 18·4 vs. 15·8 ± 16·6 mg mL(-1) , P = 0·034), but lower ARE activity (39·6 ± 11 vs. 45·9 ± 11·8 U mL(-1) , P = 0·031) than the control subjects. ARE activity showed a significant positive correlation with APOA1 and a negative correlation with MDA concentration in patients with psoriasis. CONCLUSIONS: The PON1 55 M allele is a risk factor for psoriasis. Carriers of this allele have high levels of MDA, APOB and LP(a), a high APOB/APOA1 ratio and low ARE activity. These results indicate that oxidative stress, impairment of the antioxidant system and abnormal lipid metabolism may play a role in the pathogenesis and progression of psoriasis and its related complications. These data suggest that patients with psoriasis are more susceptible to vascular diseases.

Matrix metalloproteinase-2 functional promoter polymorphism G1575A is associated with elevated circulatory MMP-2 levels and increased risk of cardiovascular disease in systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) is a zinc dependent endonuclease that degrades type IV collagen, the major structural component of basement membranes. MMP-2 functional promoter polymorphism G1575A affects circulating level of MMP-2 and may be considered an important genetic determinant of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. In this study, association between MMP-2 1575A allele with serum MMP-2, neopterin and lipid-lipoprotein levels and with SLE and developing CVD was investigated. The present case-control study consisted of 109 SLE patients with and without CVD (mean age, 35.6 years) and 101 gender- and age-matched, unrelated, healthy controls (mean age, 37.1 years) from the population in the west of Iran. MMP-2 1575G/A polymorphism was detected by polymerase chain reaction (restriction fragment length polymorphism) PCR-RFLP, serum MMP-2, neopterin and lipid levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and enzyme assay, respectively. The presence of MMP-2 G1575A allele was found to be associated with SLE and developed CVD (OR = 1.78, p = 0.029 and OR = 3.43, p = 0.025, respectively). The SLE patients with MMP-2 A (G/A + A/A) allele had higher MMP-2 activity (301 ± 166 vs. 194 ± 35.5, p = 0.002), neopterin (29.4 ± 39.4 vs. 7.3 ± 4.6, p = 0.005), LDL-C (120 ± 25.7 vs. 87 ± 39.3, p = 0.045) and lower HDL-C (39.6 ± 11 vs. 45.9 ± 11.8, p = 0.031) levels than the control subjects. There was a significantly positive correlation between MMP-2 level with neopterin, total cholesterol and TG levels and negative correlation with HDL-C level in SLE patients with CVD. MMP-2 G1575A allele may be a risk factor for SLE. The carriers of this allele have high levels of MMP-2, neopterin, total cholesterol and TG and lower levels of HDL, thus, they are more likely to develop heart disease.

Butyrylcholinesterase K variants increase the risk of coronary artery disease in the population of western Iran.

The conflicting results of several studies suggest that there is an association between the butyrylcholinesterase-K variant (BCHE-K, G1615A/Ala539Thr) and the risk of developing coronary artery disease (CAD) in diabetes and non-diabetic subjects. The objective of this study was to determine whether the presence of the BCHE-K variant exacerbates the risk of CAD in patients from western Iran with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This case-control study comprised 464 subjects undergoing their first coronary angiography. They were matched and randomly assigned into four groups: CAD+T2DM+ (CAD/T2DM), CAD+DM(-) (CAD/ND), CAD(-)DM+ (T2DM/NCAD) and CAD(-)DM(-)(control). The BCHE-K variant was detected by PCR-RFLP. The BCHE-K allele frequency in CAD patients with and without T2DM [total CAD (TCAD)] and separately for each group (CAD/T2DM and CAD/ND) was significantly higher than in the control group (21.1 % versus 13.3 % (p = 0.001), 22.4 % versus 13.3 % (p = 0.001) and 19.7 % versus 13.3 % (p = 0.015), respectively). The odds ratios (ORs) for the BCHE-K heterozygous and homozygous variants in TCAD subjects were 1.65 (95 % CI 1.17-2.3; p = 0.004) and 4.3 (1.05-19.4; p = 0.048); for CAD/T2DM individuals 1.76 (1.2-2.6; p = 0.004) and 4.73 (0.96-23.3; p = 0.052); and for CAD/ND patients 1.53 (1.05-2.3; p = 0.029) and 3.88 (0.8-19.7; p = 0.7), respectively. The OR of the BCHE-K allele was found to be 1.74 (1.1-2.4; p = 0.001) in TCAD subjects, 1.87 (1.12-1.48; p = 0.001) in the CAD/T2DM group and 1.59 (1.04-1.4; p = 0.016) in CAD/ND subjects. These data suggest that the BCHE-K allele increases the risk of CAD in the population (with and without DM) in western parts of Iran, and its presence intensifies the risk of CAD in T2DM. The fact that the BCHE-K allele, even in the heterozygous form, exacerbates the risk of CAD in this population, suggests that a specific therapeutic intervention should be considered for this particular group of patients.

Fatty acid composition of human milk in Western Iran.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the fatty acid composition of mature human milk in Western Iran with special focus on trans fatty acids. DESIGN: Observational study. METHODS: Milk samples were collected from 52 lactating mothers aging 19-39 y, from Western Iran. Subjects were asked to complete a diet questionnaire. Milk fatty acids were measured as 2-nitrophenylhydrazide derivatives by high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: Saturated fatty acids were the main fraction of human milk (41.3%). Medium-chain fatty acids (C8:0-C14:0) constituted 24%, oleic acid (C18:1omega9) accounted for 30.9% and elaidic acid (C18:1T), the trans isomer of oleic acid, comprised 11.3% of the total milk fatty acids. Linoleic (C18:2omega6) and linolenic (C18:3omega3) acid contents were 13.8 and 1.1%, respectively. The level of the polyunsaturated fatty acids was 1.4% for arachidonic (C20:4omega6) and 0.2% for eicosapentaenoic (C20:5omega3) acid. CONCLUSIONS: The milk from Iranian lactating mothers, as compared to that from the American or European mothers, contained high levels of medium-chain and trans fatty acids. This difference may be attributed to the maternal diet with low animal protein and animal fat but with high carbohydrate and partially hydrogenated vegetable oils that carry large amounts of trans fatty acids. As the detrimental effects of trans fatty acids on blood lipids and cardiovascular diseases have been emphasized in the literature, a reduction of trans fatty acid content in the diet of Iranian mothers is suggested. SPONSORSHIP: Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences.

Beta-globin gene cluster haplotypes in sickle cell patients from southwest Iran.

Sickle cell anemia in Iran is accompanied by a high level of HbF and mild clinical presentation. Here we report haplotypes of the beta gene cluster found in 81 randomly selected sickle cell patients, including 47 sickle cell anemia (SS), 17 sickle cell trait (AS), and 17 sickle/thalassemia (S/thal) from southwest Iran. We found all five common typical haplotypes as well as five atypical haplotypes in our patients. Except for four patients with homozygous Benin haplotype, none of the other African typical haplotypes were found in a homozygous state. Arab-Indian was found to be the most prevalent haplotype in the study population. This haplotype accounted for 51.1% as the homozygous form in SS patients, where 69.1% of chromosomes in these patients had the Arab-Indian haplotype. Bantu A2 was the second most prevalent haplotype among all patients. The mean %HbF in SS patients was 27.83 and in the homozygous Arab-Indian haplotype it was still higher (30.40%), while in AS patients the %HbF was only 1.20. The high %Ggamma chain (71.81) in the Arab-Indian homozygous haplotype was concomitant with the presence of an Xmn I site in both chromosomes. The presence of the Arab-Indian haplotype as the predominant haplotype might be suggestive of a gene flow to/from Saudi Arabia or India. More haplotype investigations of a normal population can clarify the high incidence of Bantu A2 haplotype in our population.