Age and Sex-related Chromogranin A Gene Polymorphisms and its Association with Metabolic Syndrome Components.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to determine the possible differences in genetic polymorphisms and serum levels of chromogranin A (CgA), according to age and sex, in subjects with and without metabolic syndrome (MetS). Methodology: The genotyping and serum level of CgA and biochemical parameters were measured by the T-ARMS-PCR and PCR-RFLP and ELISA and spectrophotometer methods, respectively. Results: A comparison of males with and without MetS showed significantly lower high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels than those of females.At ages 30-70 years, both sexes showed significant differences in triglycerides (TG), fasting blood sugar (FBS), CgA levels and waist circumference (WC) when compared to the two groups. Both sexes with MetS indicated significant differences in systolic blood pressure (SBP) at ages 40-70 years, while at ages 40-59 years, there was a significant difference in HDL-C level in males.There was a significant correlation between serum levels of FBS, TG, SBP and WC (in both sexes), and CgA in subjects with MetS. Significant correlation was found between HDL-C level and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and CgA level in males and females, respectively. CgA genotype frequency (T-415C and C+87T polymorphisms) showed no significant differences between males and females with and without MetS, while there was only a significant difference in frequency of the genotypes T-415C when compared to males with and without MetS. Conclusion: The CgA appears to be strongly associated with MetS components in both sexes. Variation in CgA gene expression may affect the T-415C polymorphism in males. This may mean that the structure of CgA genetics differs in different ethnic groups. Differences in the serum level and expression of CgA gene may show valuable study results that it may be expected a relationship between these variables and the MetS.

The association of paraoxonase I gene polymorphisms Q192R (rs662) and L55M (rs854560) and its activity with metabolic syndrome components in fars ethnic group.

OBJECTIVES: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) may cause premature development of some diseases. PON1 genes may be involved in the pathogenesis of MetS. The aim of study was to evaluate the association between Q192R and L55M gene polymorphisms and its enzyme activity with the MetS components in subjects with and without MetS. METHODS: Polymerase Chain Reaction and Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism analysis were performed to determine polymorphisms of the paraoxonase1 gene in subjects with and without metabolic syndrome. Biochemical parameters were measured by spectrophotometer. RESULTS: The MM, LM, and LL genotype frequencies of the PON1 L55M polymorphism were 10.5, 43.4, and 46.1%, and 22.4, 46.6, and 31% and; the QQ, QR, and RR genotype frequencies of the PON1 Q192R polymorphism were 55.4, 38.6 and 6%; and 56.5, 34.8 and 8.7% in subjects with and without MetS, respectively. The L and M allele frequencies were 68 and 53%; and 32 and 47% for PON1 L55M in subjects with and without MetS, respectively. The Q and R allele frequencies for PON1 Q192R were 74 and 26% in both groups. There were significant differences in HDL-cholesterol level and PON1 activity in the genotypes QQ, QR, and RR of the PON1 Q192R polymorphism in subjects with MetS. CONCLUSIONS: The PON1 Q192R genotypes had only effected on PON1 activity and HDL-cholesterol level in subjects with MetS. Different genotypes of the PON1 Q192R seem to be important candidates to make the subjects susceptible to MetS in the Fars ethnic group.

Importance of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) in cancer cells.

Background: In most regions, cancer ranks the second most frequent cause of death following cardiovascular disorders. Aim: In this article, we review the various aspects of glycolysis with a focus on types of MCTs and the importance of lactate in cancer cells. Results and Discussion: Metabolic changes are one of the first and most important alterations in cancer cells. Cancer cells use different pathways to survive, energy generation, growth, and proliferation compared to normal cells. The increase in glycolysis, which produces substances such as lactate and pyruvate, has an important role in metastases and invasion of cancer cells. Two important cellular proteins that play a role in the production and transport of lactate include lactate dehydrogenase and monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs). These molecules by their various isoforms and different tissue distribution help to escape the immune system and expansion of cancer cells under different conditions.

Targeted therapy in Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): Implication from cell and gene therapy to immunotherapy and vaccine.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a highly pathogenic and transmissible virus. Infection caused by SARS-CoV-2 known as Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can be severe, especially among high risk populations affected of underlying medical conditions. COVID-19 is characterized by the severe acute respiratory syndrome, a hyper inflammatory syndrome, vascular injury, microangiopathy and thrombosis. Antiviral drugs and immune modulating methods has been evaluated. So far, a particular therapeutic option has not been approved for COVID-19 and a variety of treatments have been studied for COVID-19 including, current treatment such as oxygen therapy, corticosteroids, antiviral agents until targeted therapy and vaccines which are diverse in each patient and have various outcomes. According to the findings of different in vitro and in vivo studies, some novel approach such as gene editing, cell based therapy, and immunotherapy may have significant potential in the treatment of COVID-19. Based on these findings, this paper aims to review the different strategies of treatment against COVID-19 and provide a summary from traditional and newer methods in curing COVID-19.