Polymorphisms of UGT1A7 and XRCC1 are Associated with an Increased Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Northeast China

Objective： Hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） is a complex disease which associates with both environmental and genetic factors. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the genetic polymorphisms of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase（UGT1A7）, an important phase II biotransformation enzyme, and X-ray repair cross-complementing group 1（XRCC1）, a pivotal DNA-repair gene, were related to the risk of HCC in Northeast China. Methods： One hundred and thirty six HCC patients and one hundred and thirty six frequency-matched controls were included in this hospital-based case-control study. Genotypes of UGT1A7 and XRCC1 were determined using allele-specific polymerase chain reaction （AS-PCR） and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism （RFLP）, and for which the odds ratio （OR） with 95% confidence interval （95% CI） were calculated. Results： The proportion of UGT1A7 low enzymatic allele （＊2 or ＊3） was higher in HCC patients than those in controls. The UGT1A7＊1/＊2 and ＊3/＊3 genotypes were associated with higher HCC risk （OR=2.09, 95%CI： 1.10-3.97; OR=5.67, 95%CI： 1.76-18.30, respectively）. The XRCC1 codon 399 Arg/Gln genotype could also elevate HCC risk （OR=2.16, 95% CI 1.29-3.61）. In addition to polymorphisms of UGT1A7 and XRCC1, multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that other significant independent factors associated with HCC were HBV infection （OR=68.07, 95%CI： 28.03-165.26）, HCV infection （OR=30.97, 95%CI： 8.06-118.94） and family history of HCC （OR=10.62, 95%CI： 2.22-50.77）. Conclusion： The study shows that the polymorphisms of UGT1A7 and XRCC1 are associated with HCC risk. Determination of the polymorphisms of UGT1A7 and XRCC1 may provide an important clue to preventive measure against HCC.

Risk Analysis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Northeast China

Objective： It is known that chronic hepatitis B virus （HBV） infection is a main risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）. To assess the effect of HBV infection and its interaction with other factors on the risk for HCC, a hospital-based case-control study was carried out in Northeast China. Methods： A total of 384 cases with hepatocellular carcinoma and 432 controls without evidence of liver diseases were enrolled in the study. Blood samples were collected to detect the serum markers of hepatitis B virus （HBV） and hepatitis C virus （HCV） and questionnaires about lifestyle and family tumor history were performed in all subjects. Results： The total infection rate of HBV in hepatocellular carcinoma cases was 70.8% and 10.0% in non-liver disease controls. There was a statistically significant difference （P〈0.0001） between cases and controls （OR= 22.0; 95%CI：15.0-32.3）. Interaction analysis indicated that in HBV chronic carriers with HCV infection or alcohol consumption or family HCC history, the risk for HCC increased （OR=41.1, 95%CI： 20.2-83.9, OR=125.0, 95%CI： 66.5-235.2; OR=56.9, 95%CI： 27.2-119.3 respectively）. In addition, hepatitis B history, HCV infection, hepatic cirrhosis and family history of HCC were also potential HCC independent risk factors. Conclusion： We confirmed that HBV is a chief risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma and accounts for 67.7% of all hepatocellular carcinoma in Northeast China. HCV infection, alcohol intake and family history could enhance the risk for HCC in chronic HBV carriers.

Progress in the pathogenesis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome

Objective:Sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (SAHS) is a common sleep disorder, which is manifested as a reduction in tidal volume or apnea during sleep, which results in intermittent hypoxia and tissue hypoxia and induces oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic disease contributing to hyperplasia of synovial membrane, cartilage erosion and joint damage. Fibroblast like synoviocytes (FLS), which make up the lining of the synovial membrane, are believed to play a role in the pathogenesis of RA. RA is a series of inflammation-like responses that induce joint damage and dysfunction and impair patients' life quality. This article first introduced the basic features of RA and analyzes the pathogenesis of RA with SAHS. Then the relationship between RA and SAHS was investigated. Finally, the progress in the treatment for RA with SAHS was reviewed emphatically.