Quantitative assessment of the relevance of organic-aniontransporting-polypeptide 1B1 and 2B1 polymorphisms in fexofenadine pharmacokinetic variants via pharmacometrics

Fexofenadine is useful in various allergic disease treatment.However,the pharmacokinetic variability information and quantitative factor identification of fexofenadine are very lacking.This study aimed to verify the validity of previously proposed genetic factors through fexofenadine population pharmacokinetic modeling and to explore the quantitative correlations affecting the pharmacokinetic variability.Polymorphisms of the organic-anion-transporting-polypeptide(OATP)1B1 and 2B1 have been proposed to be closely related to fexofenadine pharmacokinetic diversity.Therefore,modeling was performed using fexofenadine oral exposure data according to the OATP1B1-and 2B1-polymorphisms.OATP1B1 and 2B1 were identified as effective covariates of clearance(CL/F)and distribution volume(V/F)-CL/F,respectively,in fexofenadine pharmacokinetic variability.CL/F and average steady-state plasma concentration of fexofenadine differed by up to 2.17-and 2.20-folds,respectively,depending on the OATP1B1 polymorphism.Among the individuals with different OATP2B1 polymorphisms,the CL/F and V/F differed by up to 1.73-and 2.00-folds,respectively.Ratio of the areas under the curves following single-and multiple-administrations,and the cumulative ratio were significantly different between OATP1B1-and 2B1-polymorphism groups.Based on quantitative prediction comparison through a model-based approach,OATP1B1 was confirmed to be relatively more important than 2B1 regarding the degree of effect on fexofenadine pharmacokinetic variability.Based on the established pharmacokineticpharmacodynamic relationship,the difference in fexofenadine efficacy according to genetic polymorphisms of OATP1B1 and 2B1 was 1.25-and 0.87-times,respectively,and genetic consideration of OATP1B1 was expected to be important in the pharmacodynamics area as well.This population pharmacometrics study will be a very useful starting point for fexofenadine precision medicine.

Influence of interleukin polymorphisms on development of gastric cancer and peptic ulcer

Pro-inflammatory cytokines are produced in the gastric mucosa by inflammatory cells activated by chronic Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. Polymorphisms of these cytokine genes are associated with individual differences in gastric mucosal cytokine mRNA level, which result in differences in gastric mucosal inflammation, acid inhibition and gastroduodenal disease risk in response to H. pylori infection. Although polymorphisms of interleukin (IL)-1B, IL-1RN and TNF-A have been reported to relate well with gastric cancer and peptic ulcer risk, those of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-8 genes are unclear. In combined analyses using data from previous studies, we found that the risk of gastric non-cardia cancer development was significantly associated with IL-4-168 C allele (OR: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.69-1.00) and IL-4-590 T allele carrier status (0.61, 0.53-0.73), and IL-6-174 G/G genotype (2<Abstract>Pro-inflammatory cytokines are produced in the gastric mucosa by inflammatory cells activated by chronic Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. Polymorphisms of these cytokine genes are associated with individual differences in gastric mucosal cytokine mRNA level, which result in differences in gastric mucosal inflammation, acid inhibition and gastroduodenal disease risk in response to H. pylori infection. Although polymorphisms of interleukin (IL)-1B, IL-1RN and TNF-A have been reported to relate well with gastric cancer and peptic ulcer risk, those of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-8 genes are unclear. In combined analyses using data from previous stud- ies, we found that the risk of gastric non-cardia cancer development was significantly associated with IL-4-168 C allele (OR: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.69-1.00) and IL-4-590 T allele carrier status (0.61, 0.53-0.73), and IL-6-174 G/G genotype (2.02, 1.31-3.10). In peptic ulcer development, IL-2-330 G and IL-4-590 T allele carriers had a significantly decreased risk (0.37, 0.27-0.50 and 0.58, 0.34-0.99, respectively). Moreover, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-8 gene genotypes prevalence differs among popula- tions. The inflammatory cytokine gene polymorphisms (e.g. IL-4 -590 and IL-6 -572 for gastric cancer, and IL-4-590, IL-6-572 and IL-8-251 for peptic ulcer) have a more potent influence on development of gastroduo- denal diseases in Western than East Asian populations. These cytokine gene polymorphisms, as well as those of IL-1B, IL-1RN and TNF-A, may be used to identify groups at higher risk of gastric cancer and peptic ulcer, and those suitable for their prevention by H. pylori eradication therapy in Western populations..02, 1.31-3.10). In peptic ulcer development, IL-2-330 G and IL-4-590 T allele carriers had a significantly decreased risk (0.37, 0.27-0.50 and 0.58, 0.34-0.99, respectively). Moreover, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-8 gene genotypes prevalence differs among populations. The inflammatory cytokine gene polymorphisms (e.g. IL-4 -590 and IL-6 -572 for gastric cancer, and IL-4-590, IL-6-572 and IL-8-251 for peptic ulcer) have a more potent influence on development of gastroduo-denal diseases in Western than East Asian populations. These cytokine gene polymorphisms, as well as those of IL-1B, IL-1RN and TNF-A, may be used to identify groups at higher risk of gastric cancer and peptic ulcer, and those suitable for their prevention by H. pylori eradication therapy in Western populations.

Apolipoprotein E polymorphisms increase the risk of post-stroke depression

Recent reports have shown that apolipoprotein E （APOE） polymorphisms are involved in neurodegenerative disease. However, it is unclear whether APOE affects post-stroke depression. Accordingly, we hypothesized that APOE polymorphisms modify the risk of post-stroke depression. Here, we performed a hospital-based case-control study （including 76 cerebral infarction cases with post-stroke depression, 88 cerebral infarction cases without post-stroke depression, and 109 controls without any evidence of post-stroke depression or cerebral infarction） to determine possible association between APOE rs429358 and rs7412 polymorphisms and risk of post-stroke depression. Our findings show no difference among the groups with regards genotype distribution of the rs7412 polymorphism. In contrast, APOE genotypes with rs429358-C alleles increased the risk of post-stroke depression. Further, the rs429358 polymorphism was associated with significantly decreased regional cerebral blood flow values in the left temporal lobe of post-stroke depression cases. Additionally, the rs429358 polymorphism was not only associated with depression severity, but with increasing serum levels of total cholesterol. These resuits suggest that the APOE rs429358 polymorphism is associated with increased risk of developing post-stroke depression, and that APOE rs429358-C allele genotypes may be detrimental to recovery of nerve function after stoke. Indeed, these findings provide clinical data for future post-stroke depression gene interventions.

Genetic polymorphisms in glutathione S-transferase T1 affect the surgical outcome of varicocelectomies in infertile patients

Glutathione S-transferases （GSTs）, superoxide dismutase 2 （SOD2） and NAD（P）H：quinone oxidoreductase 1 （NQO1） are anti-oxidant enzyme genes. Polymorphisms of GSTs, SOD2 and NQO1 have been reported to influence individual susceptibility to various diseases. In an earlier study, we obtained preliminary findings that a subset of glutathione S-transferase 7：1 （GSTT1）-wt patients with varicocele may exhibit good response to varicocelectomy. In this study, we extended the earlier study to determine the distribution of genotype of each gene in the infertile population and to evaluate whether polymorphism of these genes affects the results of surgical treatment of varicocele. We analyzed 72 infertile varicocele patients, 202 infertile patients without varicocele and 101 male controls. Genotypes of GSTs were determined by polymerase chain reaction （PCR）. Genotyping of SOD2 and NQO1 was performed using the PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism （PCR-RFLP） method. A significantly better response to varicocelectomy was found in patients with the GSTTI-wt genotype （63.2%） and NQO1-Ser/Ser genotype （80.0%） than in those with GSTTI-null genotype （35.3%） and NQO1-Pro/Pro or NQO1- Pro/Ser genotype （45.2%）, respectively. The frequencies of glutathione S-transferase M1/T1, SOD2 and NQO1 genotypes did not differ significantly among the varicocele patients, idiopathic infertile patients and male controls. GSTT1 genotype is associated with improvement of semen parameters after varicocelectomy. As the number of patients with NQO1-Ser/Ser genotype was not sufficient to reach definite conclusions, the association of NQO1 genotype with varicocelectomy requires further investigation.

Surfactant Protein B 1580 Polymorphism Is Associated with Susceptibility to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Chinese Han Population

Summary: Whether surfactant protein B (SP-B)-18A/C and 1580C/T polymorphism were associated with susceptibility to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Chinese Han population was investigated. After genomic DNA was isolated from blood of COPD smokers and control smokers, the genotypes of SP-B-18A/C and SP-B1580C/T polymorphism loci were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (PCR-RFLP) respectively. The results showed that there was significant difference in genotypes distribution frequency of SP-B1580C/T polymorphism locus between COPD smokers and control smokers. C→T mutation rate (including TT homozygote and CT heterozygote) in COPD smokers was higher than in control smokers (57.9 % vs 41.7 %, χ2=4.93, P<0.05), whereas there was no significant difference in genotypes distribution frequency of SP-B1580-18A/C locus between COPD smokers and control smokers. The allele frequency (29.1 %) of SP-B1580-18A/C locus is lower than T allele (70.9 %) in Chinese Han Population, and the distribution was different from that in Mexican, in which, the A and T allele frequencies were 85 % and 15 % respectively. It was concluded that SP-B1580 T allele was probably associated with increased susceptibility to COPD in Chinese Han population; The polymorphism of SP-B-18A/C locus maybe varied with race.

Joint effect among p53, CYP1A1, GSTM1 polymorphism combinations and smoking on prostate cancer risk： an exploratory genotype-environment interaction study

Aim： To assess the role of several genetic factors in combination with an environmental factor as modulators of prostate cancer risk. We focus on allele variants of low-penetrance genes associated with cell control, the detoxification processes and smoking. Methods： In a case-control study we compared people carrying p53cd72 Pro allele, CYP1A1 M1 allele and GSTM1 null genotypes with their prostate cancer risk. Results： The joint risk for smokers carrying Pro^＊ and MI^＊, Pro^＊ and GSTM1null or GSTM1 null and CYP1A1 MI^＊ variants was significantly higher （odds ratio [OR]： 13.13, 95% confidence interval [CI]： 2.41-71.36; OR： 3.97, 95% CI： 1.13-13.95 and OR： 6.87, 95% CI： 1.68-27.97, respectively） compared with that for the reference group, and for non-smokers was not significant. OR for combinations among p53cd72, GSTM1 and CYP1A1 M1 in smokers were positively and significantly associated with prostate cancer risk compared with non-smokers and compared with the putative lowest risk group （OR： 8.87, 95% CI： 1.25-62.71）. Conclusion： Our results suggest that a combination of p53cd72, CYP1A1, GSTM1 alleles and smoking plays a significant role in modified prostate cancer risk on the study population, which means that smokers carrying susceptible genotypes might have a significantly higher risk than those carrying non-susceptible genotypes.

The Relationship between Polymorphisms at 17 Gene Sites and Hypertension among the Aboriginal Tibetan People

Abstract Objective The incidence of hypertension in Tibet ranks highest among all Chinese provinces. This may be due to genetic changes caused by Tibet＇s unique natural environment and agrarian lifestyle, prompting us to investigated the relationship between gene polymorphisms and hypertension. Methods Blood samples were collected from 229 hypertensive participants and 372 healthy （control） participants from five Tibetan counties. Seventeen single nucleotide polymorphisms were investigated for their connection to hypertension. Results The C allele at rs2070744 of the NOS3 gene was shown to be significantly associated with hypertension （P=0.0443; OR=1.636）. Additionally, the T allele of rs4961 of the ADD gene was correlated with hypertension in women （P=0.03124; OR=1.584）. Conclusion In this study we found that the NOS3 and ADD genes were related to a high incidence of hypertension among Tibetans. N053 gene plays a role in regulating vascular tone and blood vessel diameter, which may be altered by the low-oxygen environment of Tibet. ADD is involved in water and salt metabolism, which is consistent with the high-salt diet of Tibetans. The correlations elucidated by our study were different from those of other ethnic groups, indicating that these findings may be specific to the Tibetan people.

Genetic polymorphism of glutathione S-transferase T1 gene and susceptibility to idiopathic azoospermia or oligospermia in northwestern China

Aim： To investigate the association of glutathione S-transferase T1 （GSTT1） gene polymorphism in patients with idiopathic azoospermia or oligospermia in the northwestern China population. Methods： In the case-control study, GSTT1 genotypes were identified by multiplex polymerase chain reaction （PCR） with peripheral blood DNA samples from 78 patients with idiopathic azoospermia, 103 patients with idiopathic oligospermia and 156 age-matched controls with normal sperm concentration and motility, according to the criteria adapted from World Health Organization guidelines. All of the patients and controls were from northwestern China. Results： There is a significant association between GSTT1 null genotype with idiopathic azoospermia risk （odds ratio [OR]： 2.36, 95% confidence interval [CI]： 1.33-4.20, P = 0.003） or idiopathic oligospermia risk （OR： 2.00, 95% CI： 1.17-3.27, P = 0.010）. Conclusion： GSTT1 null genotype is a predisposing risk factor for sporadic idiopathic azoospermia or oligospermia in northwestern China. （Asian J Androl 2008 Mar; 10： 266-270）

Association of Polymorphisms of rs179247 and rs12101255 in Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Receptor Intron 1 with an Increased Risk of Graves' Disease:A Meta-analysis

The polymorphisms of thyroid stimulating hormone receptor（TSHR） intron 1 rs179247 and rs12101255 have been found to be associated with Graves＇ disease（GD） in genetic studies. In the present study, we conducted a meta-analysis to examine this association. Two reviewers systematically searched eligible studies in Pub Med, Web of Science, Embase and China Biomedical Literature Database（CBM）. A meta-analysis on the association between GD and TSHR intron 1 rs179247 or rs12101255 was performed. The odd ratios（OR） were estimated with 95% confidence interval（CI）. Meta package in R was used for the analyses. Seven articles（13 studies） published between 2009 and 2014, involving 5754 GD patients and 5768 controls, were analyzed. The polymorphism of rs179247 was found to be associated with an increased GD risk in the allele analysis（A vs. G： OR=1.40, 95% CI=1.33–1.48） and all genetic models（AA vs. GG： OR=1.94, 95% CI=1.73–2.19; AA＋AG vs. GG： OR=1.57, 95% CI=1.41–1.74; AA vs. AG＋GG： OR=1.54, 95% CI=1.43–1.66）. The site rs12101255 also conferred a risk of GD in the allele analysis（T vs. C： OR=1.50, 95% CI=1.40–1.60） and all genetic models（TT vs. CC： OR=2.22, 95% CI=1.92–2.57; TT＋TC vs. CC： OR=1.66, 95% CI=1.50–1.83; TT vs. TC＋CC： OR=1.74, 95% CI=1.53–1.98）. Analysis of the relationship between rs179247 and Graves＇ ophthalmopathy（GO） showed no statistically significant correlation（A vs. G： OR=1.02, 95% CI=0.97–1.07）. Publication bias was not significant. In conclusion, GD is associated with polymorphisms of TSHR intron 1 rs179247 and rs12101255. There is no association between rs179247 SNPs and GO.

Genetic polymorphism and mRNA levels of cytochrome P450ⅡE1 and glutathione S-transferase P1 in patients with alcoholic liver disease in different nationalities

BACKGROUND:Alcohol abuse and dependence are major factors in the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease(ALD).Alcohol abuse is becoming an increasingly severe problem among the Han,Mongol,and Korean nationalities in northeast China.This study aimed to investigate the relationship between ALD and the genetic polymorphism and expression levels of two enzymes,cytochrome P450ⅡE1(CYPⅡE1)and glutathione S-transferase P1(GSTP1)in patients of three nationalities.METHODS:Peripheral blood was collected from 353 Chinese patients with ALD,300 alcohol dependent patients without liver disease(alcoholic),and 360 healthy controls.Each group included patients from the Han,Mongol and Korean nationalities.Real-time polymerase chain reaction(PCR)and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP)were used.RESULTS:Regardless of nationality,patients who carried the rare CYPⅡE1 C2 and GSTP1 Val alleles were at higher risk of ALD.The frequency of C2 and Val in patients with ALD was respectively 50.00%and 26.98%in the Han,31.36%and 22.87%in the Mongol,and 45.87%and 22.02% in the Korean nationality.No significant differences were seen in the frequency of either C2 or Val alleles in ALD patients among the three nationalities.In each nationality,the frequency of both C2 and Val alleles was significantly higher in ALD compared to alcoholic and healthy controls.Except for nationality,the average mRNA levels of CYPⅡ E1 in ALD patients and healthy controls were 10.05%and 2.21%,respectively.The average mRNA levels of GSTP1 in ALD patients and healthy controls were 0.53%and 2.12%,respectively.The mRNA level of CYPⅡE1 was higher,and that of GSTP1 was lower in patients with ALD compared to the controls.CONCLUSIONS:Except for nationality,patients with ALD in this series tended to have a higher mRNA expression of CYPⅡE1 and to carry the C2 allele,and tended to have a lower mRNA expression of GSTP1 and to carry the Val allele.There is a causal relationship between the polymorphic alleles,which leads to different mRNA levels and the development of ALD.

Surfactant Protein A Polymorphism Is Associated with Susceptibility to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in Chinese Uighur Population

This study investigatedexamined the correlation between surfactant protein-A (SP-A) polymorphism and the susceptibility of cvhronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Xinjiang Uighurs. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood of 194 COPD smokers and 201 healthy smokers of Uighur who were hospitalized in or paid a visit to one of the four Xingjiang-based hospi-tals involved in the study, betweenfrom March 2009 to December 2010. Single nucleotide polymor-phisms (SNPs) were studied on A/G atwithin amino acid aa62 (CCA/CCG rs1136451) and C/T within aa219 (CGG/TGG, rs4253527) in SP-A. Genotypes were determined by using the TaqMan polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Our results showed that genotype frequencies were different be-tween the COPD and normal smokers infor aa62 (χx2=6.852, P=0.033). There were also significant differences in allele genotype frequencies between the COPD and the control and allele G might de-crease the risk COPD (χx2=6.545, P=0.011; OR=0.663; 95% CI: 0.484–0.909). The result suggested We were led to conclude that polymorphism of aa62 (CCA/CCG, rs1136451) of SP-A may be asso-ciated with the susceptibility to COPD in Xingjiang Uighurs.

Effect of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4,TNF-alpha polymorphisms on osteosarcoma: evidences from a meta-analysis

Objective： Previous studies have investigated the role of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 （CTLA-4） and tumor necrosis factor-alpha （TNF-a） in carcinogenesis of osteosarcoma, but their results were inconsistent. We aimed to clarify the associations between CTLA-4, TNF-a polymorphism and osteosarcoma risk by using meta-analysis. Methods： We searched relevant studies without language restriction in PubMed, EMbase, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar databases, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure （CNKI） and conference literature in humans published prior to March 2013. The strengths of the associations between genetic variants and osteosarcoma risk were estimated by odds ratio （OR） with 95% confidence interval （95% CI）. Results： A total of seven studies with 1,198 osteosarcoma patients and 1,493 controls were selected. Four studies were eligible for CTLA-4 （1,003 osteosarcoma and 1,162 controls）, and three studies for TNF-a （195 osteosarcoma and 331 controls）. Pooled results showed that rs231775 polymorphism of CTLA-4 was associated with osteosarcoma risk （GG vs. AA： OR=1.63, 95% CI=1.24-2.13; GG ＋ GA vs. AA： OR=1.56, 95% CI=1.21-2.01; AA ＋ GA vs. GG： OR=0.83, 95% CI=0.71-0.97; G vs. A： OR=1.21, 95% CI=1.08-1.36）. No significant heterogeneity was observed across the studies. No significant associations were found between rs5742909 polymorphism of CTLA-4 or rs1800629 polymorphism of TNF-a and osteosarcoma risk. Conclusions： These results suggest that the rs231775 polymorphism of CTLA-4 may play an important role in carcinogenesis of osteosarcoma.

Genetic Polymorphism of Milk Protein and Their Relationships with Milking Performances in Chinese Yak

The milk protein polymorphisms were typed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE)from 109 Maiwa and 100 Jiulong yaks, and the relationships among milk protein polymorphisms,milking traits and milk protein compositions were studied. The results showed thatβ-CN,κ-CN andα-La were monomorphic,αs1-CN andβ-Lg were polymorphic, the dominantgenes were αs1-CN D and β-Lg E,respectively. The frequencies of αs1-CN D were 0.8073and 0.6000 and β-Lg E were 0.9770 and 0.9700 in two populations respectively.The meanheterozygosities were 0.1021 and 0.1867 in two populations. No significant effects onmilking traits and milk protein compositions were observed except for αs1-CN locus onfat percentage in Jiulong yak.

Polymorphisms of XPC Gene And Susceptibility of Esophageal Cancer

Objective： To explore the relationships of the polymorphisms of xeroderma pigmentosum C （XPC） and the susceptibility of esophageal cancer （EC） in Changzhi area, China. Methods： The study was conducted by a case-control study which included 196 cases of EC and 201 cases of controls. XPC PAT polymorphisms were determined with polymerase chain-restriction on fragment length polymorphism （PCR-RFLP）. Results： The frequencies of wild homozygote （PAT-/-）, mutation heterozygote （PAT-/＋） and mutation homozygote （PAT＋/＋） of XPC were 36.73%, 51.53% and 11.74% in case group, 37.81%, 52.24% and 9.95% in control group, respectively, and there was no significant difference between the two groups （X^2 =0.332, P=0.847）. There was no interaction between XPC PAT mutation genotype and xeroderma pigmentosum A （XPA） （S=0.85） and pickled food （S=0.81）. Conclusion： A genetic polymorphism in XPC may be not associated with esophageal cancer in Changzhi population.

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.

Prognostic significance of vascular endothelial growth factor polymorphisms in colorectal cancer patients

AIM To investigate the associations of the genetic polymor-phisms of vascular endothelial growth factor A(VEGF-A)-1498C>T and-634G>C, with the survival of patients with colorectal cancer(CRC). METHODS A prospective cohort consisting of 131 Brazilians patients consecutively operated on with a curative intention as a result of sporadic colorectal carcinoma was studied. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood and its amplification and allelic discrimination for each genetic polymorphism was performed using the technique of polymerase chain reaction(PCR) in real-time. The real-time PCR technique was used to identify the VEGF-A-1498C>T(rs833031) and-634G>C(rs2010963) polymorphisms. Genotyping was validated for VEGF-A-1498C>T polymorphism in 129 patients and for VEGF-A-634G>C polymorphism in 118 patients. The analysis of association between categorical variables was performed using logistic regression, survival by Kaplan-Meier method and multivariate analysis by the Cox regression method. RESULTS In the univariate analysis there was a significant association(OR = 0.32; P = 0.048) between genotype CC of the VEGF-A-1498C>T polymorphism and the presence of CRC liver metastasis. There was no association between VEGF-A-1498C>T polymorphism and VEGF-A-634G>C polymorphism with further clinical or anatomopathologic variables. The genotype CC of the VEGF-A-1498C>T polymorphism was significantly correlated with the 5-year survival(P = 0.032), but not significant difference(P = 0.27) was obtained with the VEGF-A-634G>C polymorphism with the 5-year survival in the univariate analysis. The genotype CT(HR = 2.79) and CC(HR = 4.67) of the polymorphism VEGF-A-1498C>T and the genotype CC(HR = 3.76) of the polymorphism VEGF-A-634C>G acted as an independent prognostic factor for the risk of death in CRC patients. CONCLUSION The CT and CC genotypes of the VEGF-A-1498C>T and the CC genotype of the VEGF-A-634C>G polymorphisms are prognostic factors of survival in Brazilians patients with sporadic colorectal carcinoma.

Expression of multidrug resistance 1 gene and C3435T genetic polymorphism in peripheral blood of patients with intractable epilepsy

BACKGROUND： Increased expression of multidrug resistance 1 （MDR1） mRNA in peripheral blood of patients with intractable epilepsy is not due to epilepsy drugs, but epilepsy behavior. Monitoring MDR1 expression in peripheral blood is a target for MDR1 gene evaluation. OBJECTIVE： To investigate the influence of antiepileptic drugs and seizures on MDR expression in intractable epilepsy, and to analyze the genetic polymorphisms of C3435T in the MDRl gene. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： Factorial designs and comparative observations at the experimental center of the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao Medical College, Qingdao University between October 2003 and October 2004. PARTICIPANTS： A total of 120 subjects were recruited from the epilepsy clinical department of the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao Medical College. Four groups （n = 30） were classified according to statistical factorial design： intractable epilepsy, treatment response, no treatment, and normal control groups. METHODS： One-step semi-quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction technology was used to test expressions of the MDR1 gene in 120 subjects. C3435T polymorphisms in intractable epilepsy group and normal control groups were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Expression of MDR1 mRNA in the four groups, and C3435T genetic polymorphisms in intractable epilepsy and normal control groups. RESULTS： MDRl gene expression was increased in the intractable epilepsy group, due to the factor seizures, but not the antiepileptic drugs. However, the interaction between the two factors was not statistically significant. Of the 30 subjects in the intractable epilepsy group, the following genotypes were exhibited： 3 （10%） C/C genotype, 9 （30%） C/T genotype, and 18 （60%） T/T genotype at the site of C3435T, while 4 （13%）, 10 （33%）, and 16 （53%） subjects were determined to express these genotypes in the normal control group, respectively. C and T allele frequency were 25% and 75% in the intractable epilepsy group, and 30% and 70% in the normal control group, respectively. However, there was no statistical difference between the groups. CONCLUSION： Results demonstrated that seizures, not antiepileptic drugs, induced MDR1 gene expression in intractable epilepsy. Genetic polymorphisms of C3435T in the MDR1 gene did not contribute to the development of multidrug resistance in patients with intractable epilepsy.

An epidemiologic study of mitochondrial membrane transporter protein gene polymorphism and risk factors for neural tube defects in Shanxi, China

The present study involved a questionnaire survey of 156 mothers that gave birth to children with neural tube defects or had a history of pregnancy resulting in children with neural tube defects （case group） and 156 control mothers with concurrent healthy children （control group） as well as detection of mitochondrial membrane transporter protein gene [uncoupling protein 2 （UCP2）] polymorphism. The maternal UCP2 3＇ untranslated region （UTR） D/D genotype and D allele frequency were significantly higher in the case group compared with the control group （odds ratio （OR） 3.233; 95% confidence interval （C/） 1.103 9.476; P= 0.040; OR： 3.484; 95% CI： for neural tube defects 2.109 5.753; P 〈 0.001）. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis of risk factors for neural tube defects showed that a matemal UCP2 3＇ UTR D/D genotype was negatively interacted with the mothers＇ consumption of frequent fresh fruit and vegetables （S = 0.007）, positively interacted with the mothers＇ frequency of germinated potato consumption （S = 2.15） and positively interacted with the mothers＇ body mass index （S = 3.50）. These findings suggest that maternal UCP2 3＇ UTR gene polymorphism, pregnancy time, consumption of germinated potatoes and body mass index are associated with an increased risk for neural tube defects in children from mothers living in Shanxi province, China. Moreover, there is an apparent gene-environment interaction involved in the development of neural tube defects in offspring.

Angiotensinogen gene polymorphism and ischemic stroke in East Asians:A meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE： To investigate the association between angiotensinogen gene M235T polymorphism and ischemic stroke in East Asians. DATA RETRIEVAL： A computer-based online search was conducted in PubMed, Google scholar, China National Knowledge Infrastructure database between January 1990 and April 2012 for relevant studies. The key words were angiotensinogen or AGT, polymorphism or genetic and ischemic stroke or cerebral infarction. SELECTION CRITERIA： Case-controlled studies addressing the correlation between angiotensinogen gene M235T polymorphism and ischemic stroke in East Asians were included. The distribution of genotypes in the included studies was tested for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Quality evaluation of the included studies was conducted by two physicians. Statistical analyses were carried out using Stata 12.0 software for meta-analysis. Heterogeneity tests, sensitivity analysis and publication bias were also conducted. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： The association between angiotensinogen gene M235T polymorphism and ischemic stroke risk in East Asians was assessed. RESULTS： Six relevant studies involving 891 patients with ischemic stroke and 727 controls were included in this meta-analysis. Results showed that there was a significant association between angiotensinogen gene M235T polymorphism and the risk of ischemic stroke in East Asians （T vs. M odds ratio （OR） = 1.54, 95% confidence interval （CI） = 1.10-2.16; TT vs. MM： OR = 2.24, 95%CI = 1.37-3.66; TT vs. MT： OR = 1.76, 95%CI = 1.41-2.20; MM ＋ MT vs. TT： OR = 0.57, 95%CI -= 0.46-0.70）. Sensitivity analysis confirmed that the study results were stable and reliable, with no publication bias. CONCLUSION： The angiotensinogen gene M235T polymorphism is associated with ischemic stroke in East Asians, and the TT genotype and T allele are risk factors for ischemic stroke.

HLA-DM Polymorphism and Risk of Trichloroethylene Induced Medicamentosa-like Dermatitis

Objective To establish the association between genetic polymorphisms of HLA-DMA and HLA-DMB and risk of developing trichloroethylene-induced medicamentosa-like dermatitis （TIMLD）. Methods Sixty-one cases were medically confirmed to have been affected with TIMLD and 60 controls were selected from exposed workers who were free from TIMLD The TIMLD cases and controls were similar in terms of age, sex, and duration of exposure. DNA was extracted both from the TIMLD cases and controls, HLA-DMA and HLA-DMB loci were amplified by using Touchdown PCR, and the alleles and genotypes were confirmed by restriction fragment length polymorphism （RFLP） and direct sequencing. Finally, the frequencies of HLA-DMA and HLA-DMB variants were compared between the two groups. Results The results showed that the frequency of HLA-DMA＊0101 and HLA-DMB＊0103 alleles was significantly increased in TIMLD patients than in controls （71.3% wv. 55.0% for HLA-DMA＊0101; P〈0.05） （11.5% vs. 3.3% for HLA-DMB＊0103; P〈0.05）. In addition, the frequency of HLA-DMA＊0102-＊0102 homozygous genotype was also significantly higher in the controls than in the patients （25.0% wv. 8.2%, P〈0.05）, whereas the frequency of heterozygous HLA-DMB ＊0101-＊0102 genotype was lower in the patients in comparison with the controls. Conclusion The polymorphisms of HLA-DM may be associated with the susceptibility to TIMLD.