Association between serum uric acid and bone health in adolescents.

Previous studies are suggestive of the protective role of uric acid on bone in the middle-aged and elderly. Whether this association exists in younger individuals has not been examined. This investigation showed a significant positive association between serum uric acid and bone parameters among Iranian adolescents. INTRODUCTION: Uric acid (UA) might be linked to bone health, but it is unclear whether its effects on bone are limited to certain population subgroups. This study is aimed at investigating the correlation between serum uric acid levels and bone mineral density (BMD) in Iranian adolescents. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 413 (221 girls and 192 boys) Iranian adolescents aged 9-19 years. An analysis of anthropometric, biochemical parameters and bone density was performed on the participants. Measurements included serum uric acid, calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, albumin, and vitamin D. They were divided according to their serum UA into the low UA group who had UA ≤ 6 mg/dL and the high UA group with UA > 6 mg/dL. BMD and bone mineral content (BMC) were measured in the total body, lumbar spine, and left femoral neck, using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and bone mineral apparent density (BMAD) was calculated. RESULTS: A Pearson correlation analysis revealed a significant correlation between UA and bone parameters. In multiple regression analyses adjusted for potential confounders, serum UA was proven to be associated with BMD and BMC at all sites. There was no association between UA, serum calcium, and vitamin D concentrations. CONCLUSION: Our study, as the first research on adolescents, demonstrated a higher bone density in those who had higher UA levels.

ASSOCIATION OF FOXP3 GENE VARIANTS WITH RISK OF HASHIMOTO'S THYROIDITIS AND CORRELATION WITH ANTI-TPO ANTIBODY LEVELS.

CONTEXT: Regulatory T cells (Tregs) have critical roles in preventing autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). Forkhead box P3 (Foxp3), the master transcription factor of Tregs, plays a pivotal role in Treg function. OBJECTIVE: Herein, we investigated the association of two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the Foxp3 gene with HT development. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: A total of 129 HT patients and 127 healthy subjects were genotyped for rs3761548 (-3279 A/C) and rs3761549 (-2383 C/T) in the Foxp3 gene, using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. RESULTS: Genotypic and allelic distribution of rs3761548 SNP showed a significant association with HT. The CC genotype was observed in 37.2% of patients versus 22.1% of the controls [P<0.008, odds ratio (OR): 2.1; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.2-3.6] and the AC genotype in 41.1% of patients compared to 54.3% of the controls (P<0.025, OR: 2.1; CI: 1.2-3.6). In addition, higher frequency of C allele in patients compared to controls (P=0.05, OR: 1.4; 95% CI: 0.9-2) suggested that patients with the CC genotype and C allele had increased susceptibility to HT. There were significantly higher serum levels of anti-thyroid peroxidase (ATPO) antibody in patients with the rs3761548 CC genotype (1156±163 IU/mL) compared to the other genotypes (≈582-656 IU/mL; P<0.004). We observed a greater frequency of the AC genotype in patients who had decreased ATPO antibody levels (P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The association of the rs3761548 SNP with risk of HT and its influence on ATPO antibody levels suggested an important role for Foxp3 in the biology and pathogenesis of HT.

Effect of Cholecalciferol therapy on serum FGF23 in vitamin D deficient patients: a randomized clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Fibroblast growth factor-23 plays an important role in regulating systemic phosphate homeostasis, and vitamin D metabolism. However, the effect of Cholecalciferol therapy on FGF23 serum level in patients with vitamin D deficiency has not been studied, yet. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a double-blind, randomized clinical trial on 119 vitamin D deficient patients in 2016. Biochemical variables of treatment and placebo groups were analyzed after 12 weeks of 50,000 IU of Cholecalciferol vs. placebo therapy once a week, by SPSS18. RESULTS: After Cholecalciferol therapy, delta of serum PTH in treatment group was less than the controls (P < 0.001). However, delta values of serum 25(OH)D3, 1,25(OH)2D3 and FGF23 in vitamin D treated group were more than the placebo-treated ones (P < 0.001, P = 0.002, and P = 0.04, respectively). Moreover, FGF23 serum level in treatment group was associated with serum calcium (P = 0.005, r = -0.256), and serum 1,25(OH)2D3 (P < 0.001, r = 0.529). CONCLUSIONS: We propose that in these patients 1,25(OH)2D3 has a positive association with serum FGF23, and hypostasized that serum calcium might be a down regulator of serum FGF23.

Association of PDCD1 gene markers with susceptibility to thyroid cancer.

PURPOSE: PD-1 receptor is a co-signaling molecule with an important role in regulation of T-lymphocyte activity. Correlation between PD-1 gene (PDCD1) polymorphisms and some immune-related diseases has been reported before. In current study, we aimed to investigate the association of PD-1 polymorphisms at positions +7146 G/A (PD-1.3) and +7785 C/T (PD-1.5), as well as the emerged haplotypes with susceptibility to thyroid carcinoma. METHODS: One hundred five patients with confirmed thyroid cancer and 160 healthy individuals as control group were enrolled. Genotypes were identified using PCR-RFLP and nested PCR-RFLP methods. Results were analyzed by Arlequin and SPSS software packages. RESULTS: Analysis revealed a significant increase in the frequency of PD-1.5 mutant T allele and heterozygous CT genotype in patients with thyroid cancer in comparison with controls [79 (37.7%) vs. 71 (22.2%), and 51 (48.6%) vs. 51 (31.9%), p = 0.0001 and p = 0.009, receptively]. CC genotype at this position observed to be significantly higher among controls than the patients [99 (61.9%) vs. 40 (38.1%), p = 0.0002]. There were no significant differences in the frequencies of genotypes and alleles at locus PD-1.3 between patients and control group. Despite this, GT haplotype emerged from both positions (PD-1.3 G and PD-1.5 T) has also been observed with significant increased frequency between patients and controls [70 (36.8%) vs. 71 (22.2%), p = 0.0005]. CONCLUSION: As the first study to investigate two mentioned polymorphisms in thyroid cancer, current study confirmed the association of PD-1.5 C/T polymorphism and a haplotype resulted from both loci, PD-1.3 and PD-1.5, with susceptibility of Iranians to thyroid cancer.

Stereological study of the effect of black olive hydroalcoholic extract on osteoporosis in vertebra and tibia in ovariectomized rats.

UNLABELLED: A cocktail of many different antioxidants might be more effective than supplementation with a single molecule, and it closely resembles the natural environment in which active compounds were found. This is the first study well-grounded in stereological examination that showed that black olive extract effectively can ameliorate the quantitative changes of the bone structure and prevented bone loss in this osteoporosis animal model. INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to quantitatively evaluate the effects of black olive extract consumption on treatment of ovariectomized (OVX) induced osteoporosis in rats. This is the first study well-grounded in stereological examination. METHODS: Ninety adult rats were allocated to control, sham-operated, OVX, and olive-supplemented OVX groups (received 250-, 500-, and 750-mg/kg body weight black olive hydroalcoholic extract orally) for 16 weeks. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected, and plasma levels of calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase were assayed. Then, the specimens from both the tibia and fifth lumbar vertebra (L5) bones were processed, and stereological analysis was performed. RESULTS: Administration of extract resulted in decrease of alkaline phosphatase level during the treatment. After treatment of OVX rats with three doses of extract, the total number of the osteocytes revealed an increment in 500- and 750-mg/kg treated groups in comparison to the OVX group. This increment was significant only in L5. Compared to the OVX group, a significant increase was observed in the number of osteoblastsin L5 vertebra in three doses of extract-treated groups. However, this increment in tibia was statistically significant only in 750-mg/kg black olive hydroalcoholic extract-treated group. Moreover, the number of osteoclast cells were significantly decreased in vertebra and tibia in the treated groups compared to the OVX group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Black olive hydroalcoholic extract effectively can ameliorate the quantitative changes of the bone structure and prevented bone loss in this osteoporosis animal model. Thus, it can be a promising candidate for treatment of accelerated bone loss especially in postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Expression Profile of Human Fc Receptor-Like 1, 2, and 4 Molecules in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Patients with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and Graves' Disease.

Recently identified Fc receptor-like (FCRL) molecules are new members of the immunoglobulin superfamily dominantly expressed by B cells. Although FCRL expression patterns have been studied in normal and malignant cells, their biological functions and roles remain to be clearly identified in humans. Research has particularly focused on FCRL gene polymorphisms in autoimmune diseases, however, their involvement in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases is an interesting field for investigation. In the present study, we have investigated the gene expression profiles of FCRL1, 2, and 4 in 2 common thyroid diseases, Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) and Graves' disease (GD). FCRL1, 2, and 4 expressions were determined in peripheral blood samples of 55 HT patients, 40 GD patients and equal numbers of normal subjects by quantitative real-time PCR. Our results showed downregulation of FCRL1 and upregulation of FCRL2 transcripts in both HT and GD groups compared to healthy counterparts. Overexpression of FCRL4 was observed only in GD patients compared to controls. A significant correlation was observed between all FCRL gene expression levels in HT patients. Only FCRL2 and 4 had a correlation in GD patients. In addition, FCRL1, 2, and 4 gene expressions showed no correlations with the level of anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (anti-TPO) or anti-thyroglobulin (anti-Tg) antibody from patients' sera. In conclusion, expressions of activating or inhibitory FCRL1, 2, and 4 showed significant alterations in HT and GD patients compared to healthy subjects.

Bone loss with multiple sclerosis: effect of glucocorticoid use and functional status.

BACKGROUND: Emerging data suggest a significantly increased prevalence of low bone mineral density (BMD) in men and women with multiple sclerosis (MS) compared to age matched controls. This study was performed to evaluate bone mineral mass in patients with MS in comparison to healthy age-and sex matched controls and to determine association of glucocorticoid use or ambulation ability with changing in bone mass in these individuals. METHODS: Eighty two patients with MS and 328 age-sex matched healthy controls participated in the study. The Kurtzke expanded disability status scale (EDSS) was used to evaluate disability and functional capacity. Bone mineral density was measured using Dual X-ray absorptiometry. Serum calcium, phosphorus and 25(OH) vitamin D levels were assessed. RESULTS: The MS patients had significantly lower BMD at the lumbar spines, neck and total femur compared to age-sex matched controls. EDSS scores were inversely correlated with total femur and spinal BMD. There was a negative correlation with cumulative steroid dose and BMD only for femoral neck. CONCLUSION: BMD was significantly lower in MS patients. Decreased ambulatory status and glucocorticoid usage were associated with low BMD in MS patients. These patients should be encouraged to increase mobility and to have protective measures to maintain bone mass.

Evaluation of Correlation between Width and Morphology of Mandibular Inferior Cortex in Digital Panoramic Radiography and Postmenopausal Osteoporosis.

BACKGROUND: In osteoporotic patients, inferior mandibular cortex undergoes resorption which its manifestations can be detected on dental panoramic radiographs as a simple and available method. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between width and morphology of mandibular inferior cortex in digital panoramic radiography and postmenopausal osteoporosis. METHODS: Bone mineral density (BMD) of lumbar vertebrae and femural neck of 119 postmenopause women was assessed using DXA. Width [cortical index (CI)] and morphology [mandibular cortical index (MCI)] of inferior mandibular cortex were measured and the correlations between BMD and width and shape of the inferior mandibular cortex were evaluated. RESULTS: The specificity and sensitivity in identifying women with low BMD of lumbar vertebrae by visual cortical estimation (normal or eroded) were 69.4% and 80.7% respectively. These results in identifying women with low BMD of femural neck were 67.7% and 81.5% respectively. For both sides, the threshold value that provided the highest validity (minimal false negative and false positive results) corresponded to cortical width of 4.29 mm. This threshold in lumbar vertebrae or femural neck provided a sensitivity of 81.4% (95% CI=69.1%-90.3%), specificity of 58.3% (95% CI=44.9%-70.9%), positive predictive value of 65.8% and likelihood ratio of 1.95. There were significant associations between BMD and CI and MCI. CONCLUSION: Postmenopausal women with thin or eroded mandibular inferior cortex may have an increased risk for low BMD or osteoporosis.

Assessment of zinc concentration in random samples of the adult population in shiraz, iran.

BACKGROUND: Zinc is an essential micronutrient for human health. However, little is known about concentration of this mineral among Iranian population. This study was carried out to determine the current zinc status, evaluate the impact of certain factors like age, sex and Body Mass Index (BMI), and to verify the prevalence of zinc deficiency among Iranian adult population in Shiraz, southern Iran. METHODS: Serum samples from 374 randomly selected healthy individuals living in Shiraz, Iran, aged 19-82 years (143 males, 231 females) were collected and the serum zinc concentration was measured by Flame-Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. We considered the subjects with serum zinc concentration less than 100 µg/dl as zinc deficient. RESULTS: The serum zinc levels in females were lower than those of males with no statistically significant difference. Serum zinc concentrations were unrelated to age and BMI. It also did not change among different ages and BMI intervals. CONCLUSION: About 42.5% of our cases had serum zinc concentration below the cut off value of 100 µg/dl in the serum. Designing appropriate strategies for overcoming this public health problem is necessary.

Persistence of goitre in children post-salt iodization in Islamic Republic of Iran: autoimmune status.

We evaluated the prevalence of autoimmune thyroiditis in a random sample of 1188 schoolchildren aged 8-13 years with normalized iodine intake in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The prevalence of goitre was 39.6%; the majority had palpable but non-visible goitre. Of a subsample of 500 children, median urinary iodine excretion (18/8 microg/dL) indicated normal iodine intake. Thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibody was positive in 3.7% of children and was significantly correlated with the prevalence of goitre and hypothyroidism. No correlation was seen between urinary iodine excretion and positive TPO antibody, mean TPO antibody, hypothyroidism or prevalence of goitre. Autoimmune thyroiditis explains some cases of goitre but other goitrogenic factors need to be evaluated.

Persistence of goitre in children post-salt iodization in Islamic Republic of Iran: autoimmune status

We evaluated the prevalence of autoimmune thyroiditis in a random sample of 1188 schoolchildren aged 8-13 years with normalized iodine intake in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The prevalence of goitre was 39.6%; the majority had palpable but non-visible goitre. Of a subsample of 500 children, median urinary iodine excretion [18/8 microg/dL] indicated normal iodine intake. Thyroid peroxidase [TPO] antibody was positive in 3.7% of children and was significantly correlated with the prevalence of goitre and hypothyroidism. No correlation was seen between urinary iodine excretion and positive TPO antibody, mean TPO antibody, hypothyroidism or prevalence of goitre. Autoimmune thyroiditis explains some cases of goitre but other goitrogenic factors need to be evaluated