Biomedical subjects

G Romano

Publications and source records attributed to G Romano.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

PubMed1996

Regulatory role of eicosanoids in extracellular matrix overproduction induced by long-term exposure to high glucose in cultured rat mesangial cells.

Accumulation of extracellular matrix in the mesangium and altered renal eicosanoid synthesis are two prominent features of diabetic glomerular disease. We investigated the relationship between eicosanoid and extracellular matrix production in rat mesangial cells cultured under high glucose vs normal glucose conditions. Long-term exposure of rat mesangial cells to high glucose, but not to iso-osmolar mannitol, significantly increased extracellular matrix accumulation and gene expression and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) mRNA levels, and decreased prostaglandin (PG) E2 synthesis without affecting production of either thromboxane (TX) B2 or PGF2 alpha, with respect to cells incubated in normal glucose. Addition of exogenous PGE2 resulted in a dose-dependent reduction of matrix protein and mRNA levels and TGF-beta gene expression in cells cultured in either normal or high glucose conditions, whereas exposure to exogenous PGF2 alpha produced a significant increment in matrix production and matrix and TGF-beta gene expression in cells grown in normal glucose, but only a slight increase in those cultured in high glucose. Stimulation of endogenous endoperoxide metabolism towards PGE2 and PGF2 alpha synthesis with FCE-22,178, a drug originally developed as TXA2 synthase inhibitor, resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in matrix accumulation and matrix and TGF-beta gene expression which was suppressed by coincubation with the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor fenoprofen blocking the FCE-22,178-enhanced PG production. In both cell lines, the rate of synthesis of TXA2 was very low and the selective blockade of its synthesis (by two other TXA2 synthase inhibitors, OKY-046 and Ridogrel) or action (by the TXA2 receptor antagonist BM-13,177) did not alter matrix production or TGF-beta mRNA levels. These results suggest that the cyclo-oxygenase pathway is involved in the regulation of matrix changes induced by high glucose in rat mesangial cells; the reduced production of PGE2 may enhance the synthesis or potentiate the effect of stimulators of ECM formation such as TGF-beta, whereas TXA2 does not appear to be involved. These data also indicate that glucose-enhanced mesangial matrix accumulation may be prevented by exogenous PGE2 or by drugs capable of increasing endogenous PGE2 synthesis.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Magnesium levels in plasma, erythrocyte, and platelet in hypertensive and normotensive patients with type II diabetes mellitus.

The authors, by means of a recently introduced method, evaluated the intraplatelet concentrations of magnesium in 45 normotensive patients with type II diabetes mellitus, in 45 hypertensive diabetics and in 15 healthy controls. They also evaluated plasma and erythrocyte concentrations of the cation through direct current plasma spectrometer. Both normotensive and hypertensive diabetics showed a reduction in plasma, erythrocyte, and platelet concentrations of magnesium compared to controls. On the contrary, no significant difference was found between hypertensive and normotensive diabetics with regard to plasma and erythrocyte magnesium, whereas intraplatelet assay of the ion pointed out significantly lower concentrations of magnesium in hypertensive compared to normotensive patients (56.4 +/- 9.0 vs 60.7 +/- 10.2 micrograms/10(8) cells--p < 0.05). The authors believe that intraplatelet assay of magnesium may be the most reliable method for the evaluation of the cation in hypertensive diabetics, probably because platelets share common features with smooth muscle cells, including the alpha-2-adrenoceptor cyclase system and a coupling mechanism concerning the calcium-dependent contraction.

Aged↗

PubMed1996

Increased activity of the insulin-like growth factor system in mesangial cells cultured in high glucose conditions. Relation to glucose-enhanced extracellular matrix production.

Recent evidence suggests that several growth factors participate in diabetic glomerular disease by mediating increased extracellular matrix accumulation and altered cell growth and turnover leading to mesangial expansion. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta has been demonstrated to be upregulated both in vivo and in vitro, whereas studies on the activity of the renal insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system in experimental diabetes have provided conflicting results. We investigated the effects of prolonged exposure (4 weeks) of cultured human and rat mesangial cells to high (30 mmol/l) glucose vs iso-osmolar mannitol or normal (5.5 mmol/l) glucose levels on: 1) the autocrine/paracrine activity of the IGF system (as assessed by measuring IGF-I and II, IGF-I and II receptors, and IGF binding proteins); and, in parallel, on 2) TGF-beta 1 gene expression; 3) matrix production; and 4) cell proliferation. High glucose levels progressively increased the medium content of IGF-I and the mRNA levels for IGF-I and IGF-II, increased IGF-I and IGF-II binding and IGF-I receptor gene expression, and reduced IGF binding protein production. TGF-beta 1 transcripts and matrix accumulation and gene expression were increased in parallel, whereas cell proliferation was reduced. Iso-osmolar mannitol did not affect any of the above parameters. These experiments demonstrated that high glucose levels induce enhanced mesangial IGF activity, together with enhanced TGF-beta 1 gene expression, increased matrix production, and reduced cell proliferation. It is possible that IGFs participate in mediating diabetes-induced changes in matrix turnover leading to mesangial expansion, by acting in a paracrine/autocrine fashion within the glomerulus.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

No evidence of increased fetal haemoglobin in an adult diabetic population.

Increased fetal haemoglobin levels, which could interfere with glycohaemoglobin assessment, have been observed in some diabetic populations, especially in insulin-treated patients. In this study, we have consecutively examined 1042 adult (aged > 18 y) diabetic subjects (102 IDDM patients, 263 insulin-treated NIDDM patients and 677 non-insulin-treated NIDDM patients) and 156 sex-and age-matched control subjects. Fetal haemoglobin was assessed with a fully automated high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) device. Its average levels were 0.19% +/- 0.28% in the control group, 0.17% +/- 0.23% in IDDM patients, and 0.19% +/- 0.25% in insulin-treated NIDDM patients; these differences were not significant. Also the percentage of patients with fetal haemoglobin exceeding the 95th percentile of normal values (0.75%) was not different in the various subgroups. In conclusion, in our large cohort of adult diabetic patients, fetal haemoglobin levels are within the normal range, including those who have IDDM or insulin-treated NIDDM. Genetic factors could explain this difference with other reports.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Plastic prosthesis versus expandable metal stents for palliation of inoperable esophageal thoracic carcinoma: a controlled prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Rapid palliation of malignant dysphagia is usually possible with endoscopic implantation of a plastic prosthesis, but this device has a high rate of complications. Recently, expandable metal stents, a new class of endoprosthesis, have become available and may reduce complication rates. METHODS: Thirty nine patients affected by esophageal thoracic cancer were randomly assigned to treatment with either a plastic stent (20 patients) or expandable metal stent (19 patients). The degree of palliation (expressed as dysphagia score) and incidence of complications (short- and long-term) were compared in both treatment groups. RESULTS: Technical success, as a percentage of successful intubation, was similar in both treatment groups (90% vs 94.7%, p = NS) and dysphagia scores improved significantly and similarly in both treatment groups. Nevertheless, complications and mortality related to implantation were significantly less frequent with metal stents than with plastic prostheses (complications: 0% vs 21%, p < 0.001; mortality: 0% vs. 15.8%, p < 0.001). Late complications included obstruction by food in both treatment groups (four cases with plastic stents vs four cases with metal stents), tube migration only with plastic prostheses (two cases) and tumor ingrowth only with metal stents (two cases). CONCLUSIONS: Expandable metal stents can be considered an effective and safer alternative to conventional plastic prostheses in the treatment of esophageal obstruction caused by inoperable cancer.

Aged↗

PubMed1996

Segmental reabsorption measured by micropuncture and clearance methods during hypertonic sodium infusion in the rat.

BACKGROUND: We wanted to validate by direct measurements in rat tubules a technique used to calculate segmental volume absorption by each segment of the human nephron. METHODS: Experiments were performed on 17 rats during hypertonic Na infusion prior to and after frusemide administration. Tubular samples were taken from early distal and last proximal sites. The rate of filtration of single nephrons (SNGFR) was calculated by the technique of total collection of tubular fluid using labelled inulin as a marker. Reabsorption was computed by the tubular fluid to plasma (TF/P) inulin concentration ratio. RESULTS: SNGFR was 50 +/- 4 nl/min at the distal (n = 82), 51 +/- 3 nl/min at the proximal sampling site (n = 112, P > 0.65) during baseline conditions. Percent reabsorptions were 85 +/- 1 and 69 +/- 2% respectively (P < 0.0001). During frusemide these values were 52 +/- 6 nl/min and 76 +/- 2% at the distal, 49 +/- 5 nl/min and 66 +/- 2% at the proximal site. In 83 paired proximal collections, fractional (68 +/- 1 versus 67 +/- 1% P > 0.32), absolute reabsorption (34 +/- 2 versus 33 +/- 2, P > 0.50) and SNGFR (50 +/- 2 nl/min versus 50 +/- 3 nl/min, P > 0.99) were not different between baseline and frusemide. In 25 re-collections from the distal tubule these same values were 83 +/- 2% versus 76 +/- 2%, and 48 +/- 4 nl/min versus 55 +/- 6 nl/min respectively. Very similar results were obtained in 55 paired distal-proximal collections during baseline and 42 such pairs during frusemide. In the presence of the diuretic the fractional urine excretion was significantly correlated (R = 0.83, P < 0.0001) with fractional proximal delivery, Na+ resorption by Henle's loop was 22 +/- 2% calculated from clearance data and 23 +/- 1% of GFR from micropuncture data respectively. They were not significantly different (P > 0.70) and were significantly correlated (R = 0.57, P < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that frusemide does not act proximally and that delivery beyond the proximal tubule approximates urine flow rate during the action of the drug. The values of segmental reabsorption along the nephron computed on clearance measurements are superimposable upon those obtained directly by micropuncture.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Micropuncture and clearance measurements of segmental reabsorption by the rat nephron.

BACKGROUND: We wanted to verify whether the calculations of segmental tubular reabsorption obtained during water diuresis were supported by direct micropuncture measurements. METHODS: Experiments were performed on 18 rats during baseline water diuresis (B) and after the administration of frusemide (F), 10 mg/kg, by whole-kidney clearance measurements and micropuncture collections from early distal (ED) and last proximal (LP) tubular segments. RESULTS: GFR was 957+/-79 in B, 1053+/-77 microl/min in F, P>0.013. SNGFR was 38+/-1 in 166 and 38+/-1 nl/min in 165 tubules respectively, P>0.77. In LP collections the percentage reabsorption was 71+/-2 in B and 76+/-2% during F (P>0.07) in 99 and 95 samples respectively. The absolute proximal reabsorption was not changed by F (27.6+/-1.5 versus 27.7+/-1.3 nl/min, P>0.96) The data were superimposable when the analysis was restricted to paired data. The difference between ED and LP resorption was 17+/-3 during B and fell significantly (P<0.008) to 5+/-3% during F, measured by clearance techniques, and the percentage of GFR excreted during F, measured by clearance techniques, and the percentage delivery of filtrate beyond the proximal tubule, measured independently by micropuncture, were not different (27+/-2 versus 24+/-2%, P>0.10), while they were significantly correlated (P<0.04). The calculations of segmental Na reabsorption along the different nephron segments by clearance techniques were not significantly different from and were significantly correlated with the reabsorptions measured directly by micropuncture. CONCLUSIONS: The present experiments validate the calculations of reabsorption by techniques applicable to human studies of clinical physiology.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

The effect of intraluminal flow rate on glomerulotubular balance in the proximal tubule of the rat kidney.

To differentiate intraluminal from peritubular factors in mediating the glomerulotubular balance, single nephron filtration rate (SNGFR) and reabsorption were measured by total collection from the last proximal segment before, and during, externally applied mechanical compression of an early proximal convolution of ninety-three rat nephrons. SNGFR fell from 55.6 +/- 2.3 nl min-1 during control conditions to 34.5 +/- 2.0 nl min-1 during compression (P < 0.0001) in sixty tubules ('responders'). Absolute reabsorption fell from 41.8 +/- 2.0 to 28.4 +/- 1.8 nl min-1 (P < 0.0001), while percentage reabsorption rose from 75 +/- 2 to 82 +/- 2% (P < 0.0001). These effects were reversible and independent of whether the compression was applied before or after the control collection. In thirty-three proximal tubules the compression procedure was not successful ('non-responders'), SNGFR remaining unchanged (36.1 +/- 2.9 vs. 36.9 +/- 2.9 nl min-1, P > 0.3). Absolute and percentage reabsorptions rose slightly, albeit significantly, from 26.1 +/- 2.1 to 30.7 +/- 2.4 nl min-1 (P < 0.0001) and from 75 +/- 3 to 85 +/- 2% (P < 0.0001). Thus, the response of reabsorption to changes in intraluminal flow is composed of two different adaptive mechanisms. The slowing of flow is present in both sets of tubules and causes a slight increase in resorption; the change in filtration per se is present only in the first set of responders, and causes an SNGFR-dependent consensual change in resorption.

Absorption↗

PubMed1996

Insulin-like growth factors I and II stimulate extracellular matrix production in human glomerular mesangial cells. Comparison with transforming growth factor-beta.

An enhanced paracrine/autocrine activity of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system within the glomerulus has been implicated together with up-regulation of transforming growth factor-beta (TGFbeta) in the pathogenesis of diabetic glomerular disease. This would imply their ability to modulate extracellular matrix (ECM) and cell turnover at the mesangial level, but the direct effects of IGFs on ECM production have not been demonstrated to date. These experiments in cultured human mesangial cells were aimed at assessing the effects of IGF-I and IGF-II, compared with those of TGFbeta, on 1) ECM medium accumulation and gene expression, and 2) total protein synthesis and cell proliferation. Human mesangial cells were grown to subconfluence, growth arrested for 48 h, and then exposed for 4-24 h to serum-free medium containing IGF-I (10(-7) - 10(-11) M), IGF-II (10(-7) - 10(-11) M), TGFbeta (10(-9) - 10(-11) M), or various combinations of two of these growth factors (10(-9)M). All three growth factors dose dependently increased ECM protein and messenger RNA levels. The combination of either IGF-I or IGF-II with TGFbeta, but not the two IGFs together, produced additive effects on matrix production. Total protein synthesis was also increased by IGF-I, IGF-II, and TGFbeta, although to a lesser extent than ECM production, whereas cell proliferation was enhanced by IGFs but not by TGFbeta. These results demonstrate that IGF-I and IGF-II are effective, although less potent than TGFbeta, in stimulating the production of the ECM components that accumulate in the mesangial region during the course of diabetic glomerular disease.

Cell Division↗

PubMed1996

External anal sphincter defects: correlation between pre-operative anal endosonography and intraoperative findings.

In order to correlate operative findings with external anal sphincter (EAS) defects identified on anal endosonography (AES), 30 faecally incontinent patients undergoing overlapping sphincteroplasty or total pelvic floor repair were investigated by AES before and after surgery. Endosonic findings were correlated with the appearance of EAS at operation. 21 out of 22 defects seen at surgery had been pre-operatively detected by AES (one false negative). Post-operatively the sphincteroplasty was clearly evident on AES. In three cases of failure it showed an extensive hypoechoic area and these patients underwent dynamic graciloplasty. Endosonography is the method of choice for pre-operative imaging of EAS, having an established role in identifying sphincter defects and correlating well with intraoperative findings. Post-operatively, it has the potential to identify breakdown of the previous repair, allowing prompt surgical intervention. Endosonography is helpful in planning the best type of operation following sphincter injury and is useful in auditing the results of surgery.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Effects of age on the role of atrial natriuretic factor in renal adaptation to physiologic variations of dietary salt intake.

The effects of normal, low, and high dietary salt intake on basal atrial natriuretic factor plasma levels, plasma renin activity, and aldosterone were evaluated in seven young (Group 1), seven middle-aged (Group 2), and seven elderly healthy volunteers (Group 3). In all subjects, progressively higher doses of human alpha-atrial natriuretic factor were infused at low-sodium diet conditions to obtain hormone plasma values during infusion similar to those obtained in the same subjects at high-sodium diet conditions. Atrial natriuretic factor plasma values were significantly higher in Group 3 than in the other two groups at both normal- and high-salt diet conditions, and at all steps of the infusion study. At low-sodium diet conditions, peptide concentrations averaged 23.2 +/- 6.2 in Group 3, 26.2 +/- 1.9 in Group 2, and 19.1 +/- 3.9 pg/mL in Group 1 (P = not significant between groups). Hormone plasma values at high-salt diet conditions averaged 47 +/- 6.9 pg/mL in Group 1, 60 +/- 6.5 pg/mL in Group 2, and 136.3 +/- 14.6 pg/mL in Group 3. Each value was not significantly different from the corresponding value gained at an infusion step of 2 ng/min per kg in Group 1 and 2 (57.1 +/- 11.9 and 62.7 +/- 6.5 pg/mL, respectively), and of 1 ng/min per kg (139.1 +/- 22.2 pg/mL) in Group 3. At these infusion steps and at high-salt diet conditions, the urinary sodium excretion rate was, respectively, 0.185 +/- 0.02 and 0.311 +/- 0.02 mEq/min in Group 1, 0.168 +/- 0.01 and 0.300 +/- 0.02 mEq/min in Group 2, and 0.110 +/- 0.01 and 0.256 +/- 0.01 mEq/min in Group 3. Hormone infusion induced a progressive fall of plasma renin activity and aldosterone level in all groups. By experimentally increasing plasma concentrations of atrial natriuretic factor in a low-salt diet condition to the levels occurring physiologically in a high-salt diet condition, a significant rise in urinary sodium excretion rate is evoked, which accounts for 52% in young, 47% in middle-aged, and 30% in older subjects of the rise that is necessary to balance the increased salt intake.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed1996

[Clinical approach to hydatid disease in uremic patients].

Uremic patients in hemodialytic treatment have the same opportunity to be affected with hydatid disease as healthy people. However, because these patients usually have an immunodeficiency syndrome, it is always necessary to evaluate correctly the most common immune diagnostic procedures; furthermore the clinical approach and successive surgical treatment must evaluate carefully electrolyte and acid-base balances, the cardiovascular system, hemostasis and energy intake. Authors, in this paper, report 8 cases of hydatid disease in as many patients during a period of 27 years. At the beginning they describe diagnostic and therapeutic management; later they emphasize the necessity of a careful immunological diagnostic evaluation (which is often falsely negative), and of radiological, ultrasonographic and scintigraphic diagnosis. They conclude by emphasizing that uremic patients with hemodialytic treatment survive with disease and although a surgical approach of hydatid disease is not really different from others it could be insidious not to consider the peculiar immunological and clinical metabolic state of uremic patients also to perform a correct treatment.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

[Surgical treatment of radiation enteritis].

Abdomen and pelvic radiation therapy, as a complement to medical and surgery therapy in malignancies, may determine acute and chronic intestinal injuries. The acute intestinal effects of ionizing radiation are the necrosis of crypt epithelial cells and the cessation of the intestinal epithelium; late radiation injury is the result of a progressive vasculitis and diffuse collagen deposition and fibrosis. In this paper we report a clinical case of radiation enteritis and examine different surgical managements, above all complications such as fistulas, stenosis and fibrinous adhesions. As the literature reports, the treatment of choice is a wide resection of the stenotic bowel and occasionally by-pass. In our case we have performed a wide resection. It is extremely important to emphasize the high morbidity and mortality of every surgical approach. We conclude by affirming the important role of physicians and oncologists to perform a correct radiotherapy to avoid the radiation injuries to the intestine; this considering also that the sites of intestinal injuries may not seem readily apparent.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

PubMed1996

Minilaparotomy with rectus muscle sparing: a personal technique for cholecystectomy.

The present paper describes a minilaparotomy technique characterized by an horizontal incision of the skin and two successive vertical incisions which run along distinct sagittal as well frontal planes, sparing, thus, the rectus muscle. This approach, in comparison to other minilaparotomy techniques, ensures a reduced incidence of incisional hernia, decreased postoperative pain and optimal cosmetic results. The technique is useful when laparoscopic cholecystectomy is contraindicated or the laparoscopic apparatus is not available.

Cholecystectomy↗

PubMed1996

Effect of water softening and heating on microbial contamination of dental unit systems.

This study regards the quality of the water used in 4 types of dental units making use of softened and heated water, softened but non-heated water, non-softened but heated water and non-softened and non-heated water. The samples were taken from the incoming tap water, from oral rinsing cup, the air-water syringe and the ultrasound descaling hand-piece. The results showed how the water underwent a notable growth in bacteria during its passage within the circuits of the units, reaching heterotrophic total counts greatly exceeding the guidelines set down by Italian laws regarding drinking water. While the influence of softening was evident, the bacteria in the samples taken from descaling handpiece, where there is more stagnation, found excellent growing conditions also at high temperatures. In the softened and heated waters a notable growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was found and it is likely that this was encouraged by the combined effect of the softening and heating. As far as the origin of the contamination is concerned, the bacteria present in the water systems seem to have come from the incoming water.

Bacteria↗

PubMed1995

A transient three-plasmid expression system for the production of high titer retroviral vectors.

We have constructed a series of MLV-based retroviral vectors and packaging components expressed from the CMV promoter and carried on plasmids containing SV40 origins of replication. These two features greatly enhanced retroviral gene expression when introduced into cell lines carrying the SV40 large T antigen. The two packaging components, gag-pol and env, were placed on separate plasmids to reduce helper virus formation. Using a highly transfectable human cell line and sodium butyrate to further increase expression of each component, we achieved helper-free viral stocks of approximately 10(7) infectious units/ml by 48 h after transient co-transfection with the three plasmid components. This system can be used both for the generation of high titer retroviral stocks for transduction and for the rapid screening of a large number of MLV gag-pol or env mutants.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed1995

Very low density lipoprotein subfraction abnormalities in IDDM patients: any effect of blood glucose control?

Normolipidaemic insulin-dependent diabetic (IDDM) patients are characterized by an increase in the smaller VLDL particles, considered to be the most atherogenic. Since blood glucose control is one of the main regulators of lipid metabolism in diabetic patients, it could influence the shift in the distribution of VLDL subfractions towards smaller particles. To evaluate this possibility, VLDL subfractions, post-heparin lipoprotein lipase and hepatic lipase activities have been evaluated in male IDDM patients with either unsatisfactory blood glucose control (group 1, HbA1c > 8%, n = 18) or good blood glucose control (group 2, HbA1c < 8%, n = 16) and in 16 normoglycaemic individuals. The three groups were comparable for sex, age, body mass index, and plasma lipid levels. Three VLDL subfractions (large, Svedberg flotation unit (Sf) 175-400; intermediate, Sf 100-175; small, Sf 20-100) were separated by density gradient ultracentrifugation and analysed for cholesterol, triglyceride, and phospholipid levels. When compared to control subjects both groups of IDDM patients showed a clear shift in VLDL subfraction distribution with a significant increase in the proportion of small VLDL (group 1; 49 +/- 2%; p < 0.005; group 2: 51 +/- 3%, p < 0.01; control subjects 40 +/- 2%) (mean +/- SEM) in relation to total VLDL. By contrast, the absolute lipid concentration of small VLDL was higher only in group 1, compared to control subjects (35 +/- 4 vs 27 +/- 3 mg/dl, p = 0.05). Post-heparin hepatic lipase activity was significantly reduced in both IDDM groups (group 1: 254 +/- 19 mU/ml, p < 0.05; group 2: 202 +/- 19 mU/ml, p < 0.005; control subjects 317 +/- 31 mU/ml). In conclusion, normolipidaemic IDDM patients show an increase in the smallest VLDL, whatever their degree of blood glucose control. However, this abnormality may be clinically relevant only in patients with unsatisfactory blood glucose control, since absolute lipid concentration of these potentially atherogenic particles is only increased in this group.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Apolipoprotein AI-CIII-AIV genetic polymorphisms and coronary heart disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The aim of this study was to verify whether or not the increased prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) commonly observed in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus is related to a genetic background involving restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) of apolipoproteins. On the basis of a case-control design, 62 type 2 diabetic patients with CHD (confirmed by clinical history and electrocardiogram) and 62 age- and sex-matched diabetic subjects without CHD were enrolled. In each of them RFLPs of the apolipoprotein CIII gene (S1 or S2 allele) and AI promoter region (A or G allele), together with fasting plasma lipids and apolipoproteins levels, were assessed. The rare S2 allele was found significantly (P = 0.05) more frequently in patients with CHD, and its related S1S2 genotype was associated with higher plasma levels of total cholesterol (P = 0.01), triglycerides (P = 0.007) and apo B (P = 0.001) than the S1S1 genotype. The A allele was more frequent (P = 0.004) in patients without CHD and was associated with lower plasma cholesterol (P = 0.0001), low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol (P = 0.0001) and apo B (P = 0.005). The S1/A haplotype was more frequent (P = 0.05) in patients without CHD and was associated with the lowest plasma lipid levels. These results suggest that genetic factors, related to the apo AI-CIII-AIV gene cluster, could play a role in the development of CHD in type 2 diabetic patients, probably through modification of their plasma lipid pattern.

Alleles↗