HLA Class II Allele, Haplotype, and Genotype Associations with Type 1 Diabetes in Benin: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have reported the implication of HLA-DR/DQ loci in the susceptibility to type 1 diabetes (T1D). Since no such study has yet been performed in Benin, this pilot one aimed at assessing HLA class II allele, haplotype, and genotype associations with T1D. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Class II HLA genotyping was performed in 51 patients with T1D and 51 healthy unrelated controls by means of the PCR-SSP method. The diagnosis of T1D was set up according to American Diabetes Association criteria. Odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated to assess the associations between T1D and HLA alleles, haplotypes, and genotypes. RESULTS: Participants were aged 1-24 years. T1D was significantly associated with DR3, DQA1∗05:01, DQB1∗02:01, and DR3-DR4. No significant associations were observed with DR4, DQB1∗03:02, and DQB1∗06:02. CONCLUSION: Certain HLA class II alleles, haplotypes, and genotypes were related to T1D and may be used as genetic susceptibility markers to T1D in Benin.

Polykystose renale autosomique dominante (PKAD) au CNHU-HKM de Cotonou: profil épidémiologique, clinique, biologique et intérêt du dépistage familial

Introduction: Étudier le profil épidémiologique, clinique et paraclinique de la PKAD chez des patients diagnostiqués au CNHU de Cotonou et évaluer l'intérêt d'un dépistage chez les patients à risque. Méthodes: Il s'agit d'une étude transversale comportant une revue de dossiers des patients cliniquement diagnostiqués PKAD à la clinique universitaire de néphrologie et d'hémodialyse du 1er janvier 2000 au 31 janvier 2011, et une enquête familiale chez les patients où le diagnostic de PKAD a été confirmé entre le 1er février et le 31 Août 2011.Un séquençage à la recherche de mutations dans les gènes de la Polycystine 1 et 2 a été réalisé chez les cas index. Résultats: L'incidence hospitalière de la PKAD était de 7,8 cas par an. Le dépistage familial avait permis d'examiner 99 membres de 22 familles et de confirmer 14 cas de PKAD. L'âge moyen des patients était de 45,6±12,8ans. Le signe physique le plus fréquent était l'hypertension artérielle (HTA (83%). Une insuffisance rénale chronique était observée dans 75% des cas. Le séquençage direct avait permis de mettre en évidence 7 nouvelles mutations dont 02 mutations dans les gènes PKD2 et 5 dans PKD1. Conclusion: La PKAD relativement fréquente, présente de nouvelles mutations chez les patients diagnostiqués au CNHU de Cotonou. Le conseil génétique est particulièrement indiqué dans les familles où la maladie rénale a débuté précocement

Phytochemical composition of Cymbopogon citratus and Eucalyptus citriodora essential oils and their anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties on Wistar rats.

Cymbopogon citratus and Eucalyptus citriodora are widely used herbs/plants as a source of ethnomedicines in tropical regions of the world. In this work, we studied the anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective effects of C. citratus and E. citriodora essential oils on formol-induced edema, and acetic acid induced abdominal cramps in Wistar rats. To fully understand the chemically induced anti-inflammatory properties of these plants, we first analyzed the chemical composition of the essential oils. A total of 16 chemical constituents accounting for 93.69 % of the oil, were identified in C. citratus among which, Geranial (27.04 %), neral (19.93 %) and myrcene (27.04 %) were the major constituents. For E. citriodora, 19 compounds representing 97.2 % of the extracted oil were identified. The dominant compound of E. citriodora essential oil was citronellal (83.50 %). In vivo analysis and histological assay showed that the two essential oils displayed significant dose dependent edema inhibition effect over time. They displayed strong analgesic and antipyretic properties similar to that induced by 50 mg/kg of acetylsalicylate of lysine. However, the E. citriodora essential oil was more effective than that of C. citratus. We identified significant numbers of aldehyde molecules in both essential oils mediating antioxidant activity that may contribute to the anti-inflammatory effects observed on the rats. Altogether, this work demonstrates the anti-inflammatory property of C. citratus and E. citriodora suggesting their potential role as adjuvant therapeutic alternatives in dealing with inflammatory-related diseases.

Hypokalaemic periodic paralysis due to the CACNA1S R1239H mutation in a large African family.

Hypokalaemic periodic paralysis (HypoKPP) is a skeletal muscle channelopathy caused by mutations in calcium (CACNA1S) and sodium (SCN4A) channel subunits. A small number of causative mutations have been found in European and Asian patients, but not in African patients yet. We have identified a large Beninese family in which HypoKPP segregated over five generations and was caused by the CACNA1S R1239H mutation. We report on the clinical and histopathological spectrum of the disorder in this family. A later age at onset (15.8+/-8.8years), and particular triggering factors due to specific African life conditions seem to be characteristic of our observation.

[Effects of physical activity on adipose tissue cellularity in premenopausal obese women in Bénin]. / Effets des exercices physiques sur la cellularité adipeuse des femmes obèses préménopausées.

The purpose of this article was to quantify the exercise load and investigate the influence of physical exercise on adipose tissue in obese women from Bénin. Twelve subjects participated at the study. Six of the subjects trained three times a week for six months. Each training session lasted forty-five minutes. The remaining six women constituted the control group. Biopsy samples of adipose tissue were taken from the same site in the gluteal iliac region at the end of six months and analyzed by histochemistry and electron microscopy. The results showed that all subjects suffered from severe central obesity; lipid content and number of adipocytes were higher among the sedentary woman than among those who exercised. Intense exercise in the latter used more lipids than carbohydrates. We conclude that regular, supervised physical exercise reduces lipid levels and thus induces weight loss.

Giant platelets in a case of deletion 11q24-qter confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization.

Here we report the association of giant platelets and an increase in platelet volume in a 19-month-old black female with de novo del 11q24-qter. The deletion, which was visible on karyotype, was further confirmed and more precisely localized by fluorescence in situ hybridization studies (FISH) that showed the deletion to lie distal to the MLL gene region (11q23). Clinically, the case presented less severe symptoms than Jacobsen syndrome-the well known partial deletion of the distal end of chromosome 11. Platelet glycoproteins CD 41, CD 42a, C 42b, CD 61, and PAC-1 were also assayed and found to be normally expressed. To our knowledge, giant platelets are described for the first time in the relevant deleted region.