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Prevalence of hepatitis C virus genotypes in southern Italy.

HCV is ubiquitous. In 50% of all cases it causes chronic hepatitis that often evolves into liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Recently HCV has been classified in 5 genotypes by Okamoto. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of 5 genotypes in Campania, a region of southern Italy, where the prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies ranges from 0.87 to 4%, and to evaluate the correlation between the HCV genotypes and the severity of histological damage. One-hundred- and-thirty-five anti-HCV positive patients were enrolled and tested by PCR to identify HCV-RNA. One-hundred-and-twenty-four patients resulted HCV-RNA positive. Genotyping was performed as described by Okamoto et al. with minor modifications of the specific primer to type III proposed by Silini et al. Eight patients were negative for all genotypes. Eight patients were positive for type I(1a), 61 for type II(1b), 39 for type III(2a), 11 for type IV(2b) and 1 for type V(3a). In 4 cases two different genotypes were present in the same sample [II(1b)-IV(2b), III(2a)-II(1b) twice, III (2a)-IV(2b)]. Histological evaluation of liver damage showed: CPH (22 cases), minimal CAH (56), severe CAH (31) and liver cirrhosis (15). There was no statistically significant correlation between the 5 genotypes and the severity of histological damage. Data on the prevalence of genotype II (1b) in Italy are similar to those reported for other European countries. The prevalence of genotypes in southern Italy is similar to that reported in the population of northern Italy.

Adult↗

Distribution of HCV genotypes among risk groups in Serbia.

Blood samples from 190 patients that were anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) positive were genotyped and 165 were found to contain HCV-RNA. Genotyping was performed by PCR based on type-specific primers (117 isolates) and LiPA test (48 isolates) and verifying by sequencing. In Serbia, the most frequent genotype was 1b (49.1%), followed by genotype 3 (21.2%) and genotype 1a (8.5%). The frequency of genotypes 2 and 4 was below 5% and mixed infections were encountered in 9.1% of cases. Distribution of genotypes was monitored in different risk groups: intravenous drug abusers, patients under blood transfusion, patients with previous history of surgery, patients undergoing hemodialysis and those with unknown risk factors. Genotype distribution is essentially the same in all the groups, except for the patients undergoing hemodialysis and those with previous history of surgery where significant difference exists compared with the group with unknown route of transmission (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively). There exists significant age-dependent genotype 3 distribution in Serbian population (p < 0.01).

Adolescent↗

Tracing genotypes of mutans streptococci on tooth sites by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis.

The aim of this study was to clarify the distribution and persistence of mutans streptococci on different tooth sites in the same oral cavity. Thirteen subjects, aged 20-40 years, were examined. Salivary levels of mutans streptococci, caries prevalence, oral hygiene habits and status of tooth surfaces sampled were recorded. Plaque samples were obtained from four sites, the mesial and buccal surfaces of the first permanent molar on the right side of the lower jaw (46m and 46b), the distal surface of the first permanent premolar (24d) and the mesial surface of the second permanent premolar (25m) on the left side of the upper jaw, using sterile toothpicks on two occasions at 4-7-month intervals. The samples were cultivated on site-specific Strip mutans. Up to 10 colonies/site were isolated when present and genotyped by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis, after species identification with PCR. Genotyping was also performed by restriction endonuclease analysis (REA) on 148 isolates, and results were consistent with the RAPD results. Most mutans streptococcus-positive samples were obtained from 46m. Within each individual, the same genotype occurred on at least two sites on all but one sampling occasion. A maximum of seven different genotypes were found in an individual. For a particular tooth site, four genotypes occurred simultaneously and taking both sampling occasions together the maximum was six different types. The same genotypes/types were found again after 4-7 months on 25 sites in 12 subjects. Fifteen sites were mutans streptococcus-positive on only one sampling occasion. The results indicate that several different genotypes of mutans streptococci colonize a tooth site, and that the same genotype colonizes several sites in the same oral cavity. Persistence of genotypes on a site for several months and interindividual differences in the occurrence of genotypes were also found.

Adult↗

Left ventricular hypertrophy, blood pressure and ACE genotype in untreated hypertension.

It has been suggested that the deletion polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) genotype may be important in the development of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). In order to test this hypothesis we investigated the interaction between blood pressure (BP), LVH and ACE genotype in 86 previously untreated hypertensive patients. Each underwent two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography and ACE genotyping. There were no significant differences in BP, the parameters of left ventricular structure (including left ventricular mass index) or diastolic function between the three genotype groups. Additionally, there were no significant differences in the relationship between systolic BP and left ventricular mass index among the three genotype groups (II genotype, r = 0.46, P = 0.02; ID genotype, r = 0.42, P = 0.01; DD genotype, r = 0.34, P = 0.10; F = 0.38). In contrast to some previous studies, we have found in this group of previously untreated hypertensive subjects no evidence to suggest that the deletion polymorphism of the ACE genotype is important in the development of LVH.

Adult↗

The genotype of the hepatitis C virus in patients with HCV-related B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Increasing evidence suggests that the hepatitis C virus (HCV) might be involved in the pathogenesis of B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL). Since several HCV genotypes are currently identifiable and might be involved in the pathogenesis of different diseases (with different severity and responsiveness to therapy), the aim of our study was to assess the prevalence of viral genotypes in a group of patients with HCV-related NHL. Among 470 consecutive patients, 42 HCV Ab-positive cases were identified. HCV RNA could be detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and genotyping performed in 31 of these cases. As compared to our control group (211 healthy blood donors and patients with chronic liver disease), a striking high prevalence of genotype 2ac was detected among B cell NHL (48.4 vs 9.0%), with a relative risk of infection of 5.37 (P < 0.0001). No major differences were observed in the distribution of NHL histotypes and in the clinical features among patients with genotype 1b (the other most frequent genotype) or 2ac, a part from a trend towards a higher percentage of liver disease and a lower likelihood of response to interferon for patients with genotype 1b. The same high prevalence of genotype 2ac has been recently reported in patients with mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC), monoclonal gammopathies, B cell NHL complicating MC and autoimmune hepatitis. All these data taken together suggest that genotype 2ac might be involved in the pathogenesis of lymphoproliferative and autoimmune disorders.

Adult↗

Thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT) genotype does not predict adverse drug reactions to thiopurine drugs in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND: Azathioprine and mercaptopurine (MP) are well established treatments for inflammatory bowel disease but they have severe adverse effects that prevent their use in some patients. The likelihood and type of adverse effect may relate to thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) enzyme activity and genotype. AIM: To compare the TPMT genotype frequencies in patients with inflammatory bowel disease who have had severe adverse effects to those who tolerate azathioprine or MP (controls). METHODS: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease who had been treated with azathioprine or MP in Christchurch between 1996 and 2002 were identified. Patients with adverse effects, and controls, were invited to provide a peripheral blood sample for analysis of TPMT genotype. The genotype frequencies were then compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients were identified with adverse effects requiring cessation of therapy, of which 50 were genotyped. Reactions included allergic-type (25%), hepatitis (33%), nausea/vomiting (14%), bone marrow suppression (10%), pancreatitis (6%) and other (12%). Five of 50 patients with reactions had TPMT genotype *1/*3, one had *3/*3, and the rest had the wildtype genotype *1/*1. The patient with genotype *3/*3 had severe pancytopenia requiring hospitalization. Three of 50 controls had the *1/*3 genotype and the rest were *1/*1. CONCLUSIONS: The TPMT allele frequency in our population with inflammatory bowel disease is similar to that reported elsewhere. There was a slight trend for more frequent TPMT mutations in the patients with adverse reactions, but this was not statistically significant. Most patients with reactions did not have gene mutations.

Adolescent↗

Influence of different genotypes on 17-hydroxyprogesterone levels in patients with nonclassical congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency.

OBJECTIVE: The diagnosis of the nonclassical form of 21-hydroxylase (NC-21OH) deficiency, established before molecular studies, is based on basal 17OH-progesterone (17OH-P) values > 15 nmol/l or ACTH-stimulated 17OH-P values > 30 nmol/l. This disease is caused by mutations in the structural gene that can be grouped into three categories: A, B and C, according to the predicted level of enzymatic activity. So, the genotype of the nonclassical form is a combination of mutations that cause moderate impairment of enzymatic activity in one allele and mutations which cause total (A), severe (B: 3%) or moderate (C: 20-60%) impairment of enzymatic activity in the other allele. DESIGN: We analysed the influence of the different genotypes on 17OH-P levels in 58 patients with the nonclassical form of 21OH deficiency. RESULTS: After screening for 18 mutations through Southern blotting, allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme restriction, mutations were identified in 73% of the alleles. Patients with mutations identified in both alleles were divided into groups A/C (n = 18), B/C (n = 3) and C/C (n = 15). The basal and ACTH-stimulated 17OH-P levels in patients with A/C genotype ranged from 1.2 to 153 and 72-363 nmol/l, and in C/C genotype ranged from 0.9 to 72 and 51-363 nmol/l, respectively (P < 0.05 for stimulated levels). The lowest value of ACTH-stimulated 17OH-P levels in fully genotyped patients was 51 nmol/l. Patients with the A/C genotype presented androgen excess symptoms earlier than patients with the C/C genotype. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest an influence of genotype on phenotype and on 17OH-P levels. The high frequency of unidentified mutant alleles in nonclassical 21-hydroxylase deficiency suggests that ACTH-stimulated values of 17OH-P between 30 and 51 nmol/l have overestimated this diagnosis. Genotyping more patients with nonclassical 21-hydroxylase deficiency will help to redefine the cut-off value for ACTH-stimulated 17OH-P for correct diagnosis of this disease.

17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone↗

Genotypic and phenotypic alterations in Epstein-Barr virus-associated lymphoma.

AIMS: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with numerous reactive and neoplastic lymphoproliferative disorders. In vitro, EBV infection can transform B-lymphocytes and induce phenotypic alterations. This study presents the clinicopathological features of four cases with malignant lymphoma, which showed phenotypic and/or genotypic alterations during the course of the disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: To determine the type of EBV genotype, we performed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for lymphocyte-defined membrane antigen (LYDMA) of EBV, subtype A/B and latent membrane protein (LMP)-1 deletion. In addition, we analysed the terminal repeat (TR) band of EBV and receptor genes (T-cell receptor gene, TCR; immunoglobulin gene heavy chain, IgH) for EBV-infected cell clonality. Double staining of cell markers (B, T-lymphocytes; histiocytes), and in-situ hybridization (ISH) for EBV were performed using tissues obtained during the course of the disease. The first case showed genotypic and phenotypic alterations of T-cell type to B-cell type. The first TCR rearrangement and T-cell markers (CD3+, CD4+, CD8-) were lost and IgH rearrangement and B-cell markers (CD19+, CD20+) were identified. During the course of the disease, EBV-TR bands changed in size; however, the EBV genotype type B, LMP1 deletion type, and single LYDMA band remained the same. The initial T-cell lymphoma clone was considered to be different from the latter B-cell lymphoma clone. The second case showed phenotypic alterations. The first B-cell marker (CD19+, CD20+, CD68-) changed to histiocytic markers (CD19-, CD20-, CD68+). However, IgH rearrangement and EBV-TR bands remained the same throughout the course of the disease and EBV genotype type A, LMP1 deletion type, and single LYDMA band remained unchanged. The third case showed phenotypic alterations. The B-cell marker (CD20+) was lost; however, IgH rearrangement of PCR and EBV genotype remained the same. In the second and third cases, the initial lymphoma clones were considered to be same as the latter clones. The last case showed lineage alterations from Hodgkin's disease to natural killer (NK) cell leukaemia. However, EBV genotype did not change. The second case and Hodgkin's disease showed LMP expression, but the first and third cases showed no LMP, and EBNA2 was not detected in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: We report the genotypic and/or phenotypic alterations in four patients with EBV-associated lymphoma/leukaemia. However, EBV genotype did not change in all four. These findings suggest that EBV might induce the cell marker and lineage alteration in vivo, as in vitro.

Adult↗

African Americans with genotype 1 treated with interferon for chronic hepatitis C have a lower end of treatment response than Caucasians.

African Americans as a group have a higher incidence of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) than Caucasians but are often under-represented in clinical trials used to define response rates to interferon therapy. The aim of this study was to compare African Americans with Caucasians with respect to end-of-treatment response to interferon. This retrospective study had 61 African Americans and 49 Caucasians with CHC. All patients were treated for at least 12 weeks with interferon-alpha2b (Intron A) thrice weekly. End-of-treatment response was defined as three consecutive nondetectable HCV RNA measurements at least 1 month apart. Sustained response was defined as a negative serum HCV RNA 6 months after end of treatment. Of the 110 patients, 19 achieved an end-of-treatment response (17%) but only four achieved a sustained response (4/110=4%). Of the patients achieving a sustained response, one was genotype 1 (male Caucasian), three were genotype 2/3 with four patients having no follow-up information. The end-of-treatment response was 7% for patients with genotype 1 and 71% for genotype non-1 (P < 0.005 for genotype non-1). The end-of-treatment response was significantly higher in Caucasians (14/49=31%) compared with African Americans (5/61=8%; P < 0.05). A lower response rate in African Americans with genotype 1 in contrast to Caucasians was the primary reason for the difference in end-of-treatment response (1/45=2% vs. 5/33=15%, P < 0.05). Hence, interferon treatment resulted in a poor sustained response rate in the group of patients representative of the urban populations with the highest prevalence of hepatitis C. A genotype other than type 1 was the strongest predictor of end-of-treatment response in patients treated but over 86% of patients in this urban clinic were genotype 1. Caucasians were more likely to respond than African Americans, especially in patients with genotype 1.

Adult↗

Birthweight, vitamin D receptor genotype and the programming of osteoporosis.

Studies of the association between polymorphisms of the gene for the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and adult bone mass have been inconsistent, pointing to the possibility that gene--environment interactions may vary in different populations. We have demonstrated previously an association between weight in infancy (a marker of the intrauterine and early post-natal environment) and each of adult bone mass and VDR genotype. We therefore sought to extend these observations in an elderly UK cohort and to investigate the possibility of an interaction between these genetic and early environmental markers of later osteoporosis risk. One hundred and sixty-five men and 126 women aged 61--73 years for whom birth records were available underwent bone mass measurements at baseline and follow-up 4 years later. Whole-blood samples were obtained, DNA extracted using standard techniques and polymorphisms in the VDR and collagen type I alpha 1 (Col IA1) genes identified. In the cohort as a whole, there were no significant associations between either birthweight or VDR genotype and bone mineral density (BMD) or bone loss rate at either site. However, the relationship between lumbar spine BMD and VDR genotype varied according to birthweight. Among individuals in the lowest third of birthweight, spine BMD was higher (P = 0.01) in individuals of genotype 'BB' after adjustment for age, sex and weight at baseline. In contrast, spine BMD was reduced (P = 0.04) in individuals of the same genotype who were in the highest third of the birthweight distribution. A significant (P = 0.02) statistical interaction was also found between VDR genotype and birthweight as determinants of BMD. Similar but slightly weaker associations were seen between lumbar spine bone mineral content (BMC) and VDR genotype in the lowest birthweight tertile. When examining the relationship between Col1A1 genotype and bone mass, lumbar spine BMC was higher in individuals of genotype 'Ss' or 'ss' in the lowest birthweight tertile (P = 0.02) after adjustment for age, sex and weight at baseline. These results suggest that genetic influences on adult bone size and mineral density may be modified by undernutrition in utero.

Aged↗

Variability among Cryptosporidium parvum genotype 1 and 2 immunodominant surface glycoproteins.

Published genomic differences between Cryptosporidium parvum genotype 1 (human-derived) and genotype 2 (animal and human-derived) isolates suggest that these may belong to two distinct species. This is of significant interest since genotype 1 isolates are associated with sporadic cases of human cryptosporidiosis in 30-40 % of cases in contrast to 60-70 % of cases caused by genotype 2. The lower genetic sequence similarity between genotype 1 and 2 surface glycoproteins (gp40/15) suggests that antigenic differences should also occur, a feature that was investigated in this study. Using immune and convalescent serum samples from gnotobiotic piglets previously inoculated with genotype 1 and 2 isolates, we demonstrated that C. parvum gp15 was immunodominant for both genotype 1 and 2 isolates. Lower genetic sequence similarity between genotype 1 and 2 Cpgp40/15 did correspond to gp15 protein differences as detected by Western blot. Moreover, we confirmed that gp15 contains epitopes that are also immunodominant. Deglycosylation of C. parvum proteins resulted in decreased ability of gp15, gp23 and gp900 to react with homologous polyclonal antibodies, suggesting that these proteins also express carbohydrate epitopes. Taken together, our data suggest that there is a high phenotypic variability between C. parvum genotype 1 and 2 isolates at the level of gp15. We contemplate that gp15 surface glycoprotein plays an important role in the biology of C. parvum as a potent inducer of immune response and a possible virulence factor.

Animals↗

Genotype-specific mechanisms for hepatic steatosis in chronic hepatitis C infection.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic steatosis is common in hepatitis C, but the relative importance of host and viral factors is controversial. In the present prospective study, we examined metabolic factors associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver and viral genotype as predictors of steatosis and fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C infection. METHODS: In 124 chronic hepatitis C patients, the association between liver histology and the following was investigated: demographic and anthropometric data, alcohol intake, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, triglyceride, transferrin saturation, ferritin, insulin, c-peptide, glucose and insulin resistance (homeostasis model). RESULTS: By multivariate analysis, genotype 3 was associated with increased steatosis grade (P = 0.02). There were significant pairwise interactions between genotype 3 status and total cholesterol (P = 0.01), current alcohol intake (P = 0.04) and serum ALT (P = 0.01). This showed that the etiology of steatosis was different in patients with genotype 3 and those with non-genotype 3 chronic hepatitis C infection. In genotype 3 patients, the degree of steatosis was inversely associated with serum cholesterol (P = 0.005) and positively associated with serum triglyceride (P = 0.02). There was no association between body mass index (BMI) and the extent of steatosis. Among patients with other genotypes, the steatosis grade was strongly influenced by BMI (P < 0.0001) and serum ALT (P < 0.01). Independent predictors of fibrosis were age (P = 0.001), past alcohol intake (P = 0.04), ALT (P = 0.002), serum insulin (P = 0.001) and portal inflammation (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Hepatitis C genotype 3 may interfere with pathways of hepatic lipid metabolism, whereas increased BMI appears to be a more important pathogenic factor in other genotypes. Although steatosis and BMI were not associated with hepatic fibrosis, their relationship with serum insulin suggests that metabolic factors related to insulin action could influence fibrogenesis in hepatitis C.

Adult↗

Assessing optimal neural network architecture for identifying disease-associated multi-marker genotypes using a permutation test, and application to calpain 10 polymorphisms associated with diabetes.

Biallelic markers, such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), provide greater information for localising disease loci when treated as multilocus haplotypes, but often haplotypes are not immediately available from multilocus genotypes in case-control studies. An artificial neural network allows investigation of association between disease phenotype and tightly linked markers without requiring haplotype phase and without modelling any evolutionary history for the disease-related haplotypes. The network assesses whether marker haplotypes differ between cases and controls to the extent that classification of disease status based on multi-marker genotypes is achievable. The network is "trained" to "recognise" affection status based on supplied marker genotypes, and then for each multi-marker genotype it produces outputs which aim to approximate the associated affection status. Next, the genotypes are permuted relative to affection status to produce many random datasets and the process of training and recording of outputs is repeated. The extent to which the ability to predict affection for the real dataset exceeds that for the random datasets measures the statistical significance of the association between multi-marker genotype and affection. This permutation test performs well with simulated case-control datasets, particularly when major gene effects are present. We have explored the effects of systematically varying different network parameters in order to identify their optimal values. We have applied the permutation test to 4 SNPs of the calpain 10 (CAPN10) gene typed in a case-control sample of subjects with type 2 diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, and controls. We show that the neural network produces more highly significant evidence for association than do single marker tests corrected for the number of markers genotyped. The use of a permutation test could potentially allow conditional analyses which could incorporate known risk factors alongside marker genotypes. Permuting only the marker genotypes relative to affection status and these risk factors would allow the contribution of the markers to disease risk to be independently assessed.

Calpain↗

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) I/D genotype and renal ACE gene expression.

BACKGROUND: The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) I/D genotype affects serum ACE levels and the onset and progression of renal disease, but little is known about the mechanism. We investigated a possible association between the ACE I/D genotype and renal ACE mRNA levels in healthy subjects. METHODS: Renal biopsy samples were obtained from 50 healthy kidney donors. The ACE I/D genotype was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Renal ACE mRNA quantification was performed by competitive RNA-PCR. In situ hybridization (ISH) for ACE mRNA on renal biopsy specimens was also performed. RESULTS: The number of ACE transcripts in 100 ng of total RNA was significantly (P < 0.01) lower in subjects with II genotype (5.6 +/- 5.3 x 10(5), N = 20) compared with those with the ID (17.9 +/- 13.6 x 10(5), N = 23) or the DD genotype (36.9 +/- 14.6 x 10(5), N = 7) in healthy donors. The ISH studies showed that both tubular and glomerular ACE mRNA expressions were weak in subjects with the II genotype, intermediate in subjects with ID genotype, and strong in subjects with DD genotype. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that renal ACE gene expression is associated with the ACE I/D genotype in healthy Japanese subjects.

Biopsy↗

HCV genotypes--role in pathogenesis of disease and response to therapy.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) shows considerable variation in its genomic structure, allowing classification into six main genotypes. Epidemiological studies have shown marked differences in genotype distribution by geographical region, and between patient groups. Improved understanding of the rate of nucleotide sequence mutation in HCV has allowed the approximate time of divergence of major genotypes to be estimated, and the origin and spread of the present epidemic of hepatitis C to be better defined. Improved methods of genotype definition over the last few years have enabled the importance of genotype in the progression of HCV-related disease and response to anti-viral therapy to be studied. Present data strongly indicates that HCV genotype is an important determinant of response to treatment, but the effect of genotype on disease progression has been harder to clarify. This is largely due to the absence of model systems of HCV infection, the epidemiological differences in patient groups infected with the different genotypes, and the lack of good prospective longitudinal clinical data. As a result of advances in methodology, and recent results of large clinical trials of combination therapy, a knowledge of HCV genotype is now central to the clinician in the management of patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Antiviral Agents↗

GG-genotype in the promotor region of uncoupling-protein-1 gene is associated with lower level of dehydroepiandrosterone in type 2 diabetes.

The A-->G (-3826) point mutation within the distal region of the uncoupling-protein-1 (UCP-1) promoter is possibly involved in the development of obesity, diabetes and related disorders. DHEAS has been found to stimulate expression of UCP-1-mRNA. The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of the three UCP-1 genotypes in type 2 diabetic patients out of a population based sample. Possible associations of A-->G mutation with serum levels of DHEAS and with obesity, diabetes and retinopathy were examined. - In 549 diabetic patients (312 males and 237 females) out of a population-based sample UCP-1 genotype was determined by genomic PCR and Bcl-I-RFLP analysis. Serum levels of DHEAS were measured by ELISA. - Genotype frequencies were: GG genotype, 4.4% (n= 24); AG genotype 37.3% (n=205) and AA genotype 58.3% (n= 320). The genotype groups were comparable with respect to sex, BMI, HbA1c, systolic blood pressure (BP), retinopathy and also to serum levels of C-peptide, leptin and cortisol. Serum levels of DHEAS were lowest in GG-genotype as compared to AG and AA (GG: 1.8+/-1.5 micromol/l, AG: 2.2+/-1.8 micromol/l, AA: 2.6+/-2.1 micromol/l; AA vs AG, AA vs GG: p<0.05). In a multiple linear regression analysis, which controlled for age, C-peptide, cholesterol, systolic BP, BMI, and HbA1c DHEAS was significantly negatively correlated with levels of cholesterol and positively with systolic BP only in females (p<0.05). - Allelic frequency for G in diabetic subjects was 0.23 which was similar as compared to a non-diabetic population examined by us in an earlier study. GG-genotype was associated with low levels of DHEAS in diabetic patients but not with retinopathy. We suggest a role for UCP-1 polymorphism in the pathogenesis of obesity and arteriosclerosis. This hypothesis, however, needs further investigation.

Aged↗

[Corrected normal values for serum ACE by genotyping the deletion-/insertion-polymorphism of the ACE gene].

BACKGROUND: In sarcoidosis, serum ACE is widely recognised as a marker of disease activity. Since 1990 a deletion-/insertion polymorphism of the ACE gene is known and a correlation between the genotypes of this polymorphism and serum ACE levels has been observed. Homzygotes for the deletion allele (DD) have the highest levels and homozygotes for the insertion allele (II) the lowest. Heterozygote (DI) persons show intermediate levels. The extent of this influence varies in populations of different ethnic origin. In a large cohort of healthy individuals from North of Germany, genotype-based normal ranges for serum ACE were determined for the population of Germany for the first time. METHODS: In 262 healthy individuals the genotype of the ACE D/I gene polymorphism was determined from genomic DNA by a PCR method. In addition, in serum samples of all these individuals ACE level was measured with a kinetic test. RESULTS: The genotype DD was found in 29.4 % of the individuals examined, the genotype DI in 49.6 % and the genotype II in 21.0 %, respectively. These results are similar to those found in previous investigations in other populations of Central European origin. The mean serum ACE levels (95 % confidence interval) in individuals with the genotypes DD, DI and II are 59.8 U/l (31.8 - 87.8), 47.7 U/l (18.6 - 76.8) and 32.2 U/l (13.7 - 50.7), respectively. Without taking the genotype into account, the average value is 48.0 U/l (15.0 - 80.9). Differences between all genotype groups are highly significant (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In sarcoidosis patients, the determination of this ACE gene polymorphism once in the course of the disease allows a better interpretation of the serum ACE levels measured.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

Relationship between genotype and function of the human CYP1A1 gene.

A comparative study of human CYP1A1 genotypes and enzymatic activity was performed in a racially diverse population in order to determine frequencies of CYP1A1 genetic polymorphisms and the relationship between CYP1A1 genotype and function. Restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses revealed significantly higher frequencies of a variant Msp1 polymorphism in Asians versus European-Americans, while African-American CYP1A1 genotypic frequencies more closely approximated those of Asians. Comparison of CYP1A1 genotypes at the Msp1 locus to a polymorphic site in exon 7 of the gene revealed a higher frequency of variant genotypes at the Msp1 site. Measurement of lymphocyte CYP1A1 enzyme activity by the ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase assay revealed significantly elevated levels of inducible enzyme activity among variant exon 7 genotypes when compared to wild-type genotypic individuals. These results demonstrate racially distinct patterns of CYP1A1 genotypes, and suggest a functional link between genotype and catalytic activity of the cytochrome P-450 protein responsible for the metabolism of many carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Base Sequence↗