COMT gene val158met polymorphism in patients with dyspeptic symptoms

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The role of genetics in the susceptibility to functional dyspepsia (FD) is unclear. Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) has been an important enzyme in brain gut axis and pain sensitivity. Polymorphism in codon 158 of the COMT gene influences its activity. This study aimed to clarify the association between COMT polymorphism and dyspepsia in a Japanese population.

METHODOLOGY

91 dyspeptics and 94 non-dyspeptic subjects enrolled in this study. Dyspeptic symptoms were divided into 9 categories. COMT gene val158met polymorphism was determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism.

RESULTS

The frequency of Met carriers was lower in over all dyspeptics than healthy control but the difference was not significant (OR=0.79, 95%CI=0.44-1.41) However, when the interaction between age, gender, H. pylori infection status and the number of COMT 158Met alleles was assessed using ANOVA, a slight interaction with gender + age + COMT polymorphism was found in relation to overall dyspeptics (p=0.0476) No correlation was found between COMT polymorphism and any of 9 symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

The data suggest that the COMT genotype seems to influence the susceptibility of dyspepsia when it interacts with gender and age. The role of genetics in the development of dyspepsia needs to further evaluation.

Promoter polymorphism of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX1) is not associated with ulcerative colitis in the Japanese population

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) aggravate or ameliorate clinical disease activity in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). UC is associated with increased local production of prostanoids. This study attempted to clarify the relationship between cyclooxygenase-1 (COX1) gene polymorphisms (T-1676C and A-842G/C50T) and ulcerative colitis in a Japanese population.

METHODOLOGY

The study was performed on 108 patients with UC (mean age: 39.1 years, M:F=56:52) and 293 healthy controls (mean age: 49.0 years, M:F=161:132). The PCR-SSCP method was employed to detect COX1 polymorphisms using DNA extracted from peripheral blood cells.

RESULTS

No A-842G/C50T polymorphism was detected in all 401 Japanese subjects. The frequency of -1676C allele of COX1 gene in HC group and UC group was 48.8% and 48.1%, respectively. T-1676C genotypes of COX1 did not show significant association with UC risk. In addition, these genotypes were not also associated with the clinicopathological parameters of UC.

CONCLUSIONS

This research suggests that COX1 promoter polymorphisms (T-1676C and A-842G/ C50T) may not be associated with the risk of developing ulcerative colitis in a Japanese population.

Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR) -196 to 174del polymorphism in gastro-duodenal diseases in Japanese population

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play important roles in the signaling of many pathogen-related molecules and endogenous proteins associated with immune activation. -196 to -174del polymorphism affects the TLR2 gene and alters its promoter activity. We investigated the influence of TLR2 -196 to -174del polymorphism on the risk of gastro-duodenal diseases, on the severity of Helicobacter pylori-induced gastritis in a Japanese population. The study was performed on 309 patients with abdominal discomfort and 146 healthy controls. -196 to -174del polymorphism of TLR2 was investigated by allele-specific polymerase chain reaction method in all of the subjects. Gastritis scores of antral gastric mucosa were assessed according to the updated Sydney system in H. pylori-positive subjects (n = 156). Patients with abdominal discomfort was consisted of 80 gastric ulcers (25.9%), 38 duodenal ulcers (12.3%), five gastric + duodenal ulcers (1.6%), 105 patients with gastritis (34.0%) and 81 normal healthy stomachs (26.2%). We did not find any association between TLR2 polymorphism and risk of gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, gastric and duodenal ulcer and gastritis compared to healthy controls. However, the TLR2-196 to -174ins allele was associated with severity of intestinal metaplasia in more than 60 years of ages (P = 0.02). The same allele also increased the risks of developing more severe gastric mucosal atrophy and intestinal metaplasia in female subjects (P < 0.05, P = 0.07 respectively). No association was observed between TLR2 polymorphism and severity of neutrophil and mononuclear cell infiltration. Our data suggest that the TLR2-196 to -174ins allele was associated with more severe intestinal metaplasia in patients older than was correlated with severity of gastric mucosal atrophy and intestinal metaplasia in female subjects.

Nrf2 gene promoter polymorphism is associated with ulcerative colitis in a Japanese population

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Transcription factor Nrf2 regulates the expression of detoxifying and antioxidant genes. Three promoter polymorphisms of this gene have been identified. This study attempted to clarify the relationship between Nrf2 gene polymorphism and ulcerative colitis in a Japanese population.

METHODOLOGY

The study was performed in 89 patients with ulcerative colitis (mean age: 40.2 years, M:F = 47:42) and 141 healthy volunteers (mean age: 38.7 years, M:F = 75:66). The PCR-SSCP method was employed to detect Nrf2 polymorphisms using DNA extracted from peripheral blood cells.

RESULTS

Comparison of genotype frequency, -686*-684 A* G/A*G genotype was significantly lower in the UC group than those in the HC group (OR = 0.45, 95% CI:0.22-0.93, p = 0.029) and G*G carrier was higher in the UC group, especially in female subjects. Furthermore, -686*-684 G*G carrier was more closely associated with chronic continuous phenotype (OR = 2.57, 95% CI:1.01-6.60, p = 0.043). On the other hand, no association between -650 genotype and ulcerative colitis was found.

CONCLUSIONS

The -686*-684 genotype of Nrf2 gene may be associated with the development of ulcerative colitis.

Homozygous 825T allele of the GNB3 protein influences the susceptibility of Japanese to dyspepsia

The role of genetics in the susceptibility to functional dyspepsia (FD) is not well established. Recently, two different associations were reported between FD and G-protein beta3 (GNB3) subunit gene polymorphism. We aim to clarify the association between GNB3 protein C825T polymorphism and dyspepsia in the Japanese population. Eight-nine dyspeptics and 94 nondyspeptic subjects enrolled in this study. All subjects underwent gastroscopy and patients with significant upper gastrointestinal findings were excluded. Other diseases were also excluded by face-to-face history and physical examination. GNB3 protein C825T polymorphisms were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment-length polymorphism. H. pylori infection status was examined by histology or antibody against H. pylori. Nonsignificant correlation was found between GNB3 protein homozygous 825T and unexplained dyspepsia (OR = 1.65, 95% CI: 0.87-3.13). However, among H. pylori-negative subjects, homozygous GNB3 protein 825T significantly increased the risk of dyspepsia (16.7% versus 40.5%; CC versus TT; OR = 5.10, 95% CI: 1.21-21.43, CC versus others; OR = 3.40, 95% CI: 1.16-9.93, respectively). This significant association remained after logistic regression analysis with adjustment for sex and age (CC versus TT; OR = 5.73, 95% CI: 1.27-25.82, CC versus others; OR = 3.08, 95% CI: 1.02-9.25). No significant correlation was found between GNB3 polymorphism and any dyspeptic symptoms. Our data suggest that the homozygous 825T allele of GNB3 protein is associated with dyspepsia in the H. pylori-negative Japanese population. The role of genetics in the development of dyspepsia needs further evaluation.

Nrf2 gene promoter polymorphism and gastric carcinogenesis

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Three gene polymorphisms of Nrf2, which regulate the expression of detoxifying and antioxidant genes, have been identified. We attempted to clarify the relationship of these polymorphisms with the carcinogenesis in the stomach.

METHODOLOGY

The study was performed in 209 patients with gastric cancer and 198 patients with no evidence of gastric malignancies on upper gastroduodenal endoscopy. We employed PCR-SSCP method to detect gene polymorphisms.

RESULTS

Overall, both polymorphisms at position of -686/-684 and -650 were not significant risk factors of carcinogenesis in the stomach. However, the -686/-684 A/G allele carrier had a significantly reduced risk for gastric carcinogenesis (p = 0.022), especially of diffuse type (p = 0.020), in H. pylori-negative cases. The activity and inflammation scores in Nrf2 -686/-684 A/G carriers were significantly lower than those in the non-A/G carriers (p = 0.038 and p = 0.019, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The -686/-684 haplotype of Nrf2 gene may be associated with the development of gastric inflammation and with gastric carcinogenesis without the influence of H. pylori infection, although overall association with gastric carcinogenesis seems to be none.

Influence of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)gamma Plo12Ala polymorphism as a shared risk marker for both gastric cancer and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) in Japanese

Activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) has been shown to inhibit the proliferation of gastric cancer cells. A common polymorphism at codon 12 of this gene (Pro12Ala) has been shown to confer protection against diabetes and colorectal cancer. We investigated the influence of PPARgamma gene Plo12Ala polymorphism on the risk of gastric cancer and on the severity of Helicobacter pylori-induced gastritis as well as impaired fasting glucose (IFG) in Japanese. About 215 patients with gastric cancer (GC) and 201 patients without GC enrolled in this study. Plo12Ala polymorphism of PPARgamma was investigated by PCR-RFLP in all of the subjects. The gastritis score of noncancerous antral mucosa was calculated by the updated Sydney system. The diagnosis of IFG was based on repeated evidence of serum fasting glucose (SFG) concentration of greater than or equal to 110 mg/dl. The Plo12Ala genotype of PPARgamma showed a significantly higher frequency in GC patients than in controls (OR = 2.43; 95%CI = 1.04-5.67). In contrast, the Plo12Ala genotype held a lower risk of IFG (OR = 0.33; 95%CI = 0.13-0.83). The same genotype was associated with an increased risk of non-cardiac gastric cancer (OR = 2.39; 95%CI = 1.02-5.65), lower third gastric cancer (OR = 3.56; 95%CI = 1.31-9.71), advanced cancer (OR = 2.93; 95%CI = 1.13-7.58), and Lauren's intestinal cancer (OR = 2.94; 95%CI = 1.13-7.66). Among 151 gastric cancer subjects, the atrophy and metaplasia scores of the antral mucosa adjacent to cancer showed a tendency to be higher in those with the 12Ala allele. Our study suggests that the PPARgamma Pro12Ala polymorphism may be a shared risk marker of both IFG and gastric cancer in Japanese.

The influence of promoter polymorphism of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 gene on the aberrant DNA methylation in gastric epithelium

Aberrant promoter methylation is an important mechanism for gene silencing. Inflammation-related reactive oxygens contribute to this CpG island methylation. The nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 gene (Nrf2) is known to regulate the expression of detoxifying and antioxidant genes. We investigated the relationship between promoter polymorphisms of Nrf2 gene and the CpG island methylation in non-cancerous gastric mucosa. The study was performed in 85 subjects (46 without gastric malignancies, non-GC group, and 39 with gastric cancer, GC group). The promoter methylation status of p14(ARF), p16(INK4a) and p21(Waf1) genes was determined by methylation-specific-polymerase chain reaction. The Nrf2 gene genotypes were determined by the PCR-SSCP method. In the 85 subjects, CpG island methylation was found in 25.9% for p14, 15.3% for p16, none for p21. The frequency of the methylated genes was significantly higher in GC group than non-GC group (OR, 2.67; 95% CI, 1.10-6.49; p=0.029). In particular, the frequency of p16 gene methylation was much higher in GC group (p=0.0023). The Nrf2 -686/-684 G/G haplotype was positively associated and A/G haplotype was inversely associated with the development of CpG island methylation, especially p14 gene methylation (OR, 3.28; 95% CI, 1.26-8.59; p=0.015, and OR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.15-0.96; p=0.040, respectively). In Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infected subjects, the number of -686/-684 G/G allele was positively correlated and that of A/G allele was inversely correlated to the methylation status, especially p14 methylation, by the adjusted analysis (OR, 2.90; 95% CI, 1.14-7.36; p=0.026, and OR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.13-0.88; p=0.027, respectively). Our results suggested that the promoter polymorphisms of Nrf2 gene may affect the methylation status of tumor-related genes, especially the p14 gene, under the influence of H. pylori-induced gastric inflammation.

Functional promoter polymorphisms of the macrophage migration inhibitory factor gene in gastric carcinogenesis

The macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a key proinflammatory mediator. Two functional polymorphisms have been identified in the promoter region of the MIF gene. We attempted to clarify the associations of these polymorphisms with the development of gastric cancer. The study was performed in 229 patients with gastric cancer and 428 subjects with no evidence of gastric malignancies on the upper gastro-duodenal endoscopy. The severity of histological chronic gastritis was classified according to the updated Sydney system. Overall, the 5-CATT carriers had a reduced risk of developing gastric cancer (OR, 0.67; 96% CI, 0.48-0.93; p=0.015), especially the diffuse type cancer. In subjects >60 years, the adjusted risk for gastric cancer among individuals who were -173C carriers was 1.71 (range, 1.03-2.84; p=0.038) compared to the G/G homozygous genotype. The number of 7-CATT alleles was also positively correlated with the development of intestinal type gastric cancer (adjusted OR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.02-2.58; p=0.043). In subjects <60 years, the 7/7-CATT homozygous genotype was linked with a risk for the progression of atrophic gastritis (adjusted OR, 8.74; 95% CI, 1.31-58.6; p=0.026). In addition, the number of 7-CATT alleles was significantly correlated with the activity and inflammation scores (p=0.010 and 0.030, respectively). Our results suggested that functional promoter polymorphisms of the MIF gene are associated with the progression of gastric mucosal inflammation and the development of mucosal atrophy at an early stage in life and these genotypes may increase the risk for the subsequent development of gastric cancer, especially the intestinal type, in older subjects.

Polymorphism of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma is not associated to Japanese ulcerative colitis

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) has been reported to be impaired in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), and activation of PPARgamma is proved to inhibit the intestinal inflammation. As Plo12Ala polymorphism in codon 12 of the PPARgamma gene may decrease the promoter activity, we investigated the influences of PPARgamma polymorphism on the risk of UC in Japanese population.

METHODOLOGY

The study recruited 118 patients with UC and 142 health controls. Plo12Ala polymorphisms of PPARgamma were detected by polymerase chain reaction based restricted fragment length polymorphism.

RESULTS

The frequency of Pro/Alo heterozygotes of PPARgamma gene in UC and control group was 4.2% and 4.9%, respectively. No significant difference was found between UC and control group (P=1.00, Fisher's exact test). Plo12Ala genotype of PPARgamma did not show significant association with UC risk (OR=0.85, 95%CI=0.26-2.76).

CONCLUSIONS

Our research suggests that Plo12Ala polymorphism of PPARgamma may not be associated with the risk of developing ulcerative colitis in Japanese population.

Aberrant DNA methylation in ulcerative colitis without neoplasia

BACKGROUND/AIMS

DNA methylation has been reported to correlate with the development of colitis associated cancer. We detected the promoter methylation of estrogen receptor gene (ER), TP53, p14, p16, p21 and hMLH1 in ulcerative colitis without neoplasia.

METHODOLOGY

A total of 49 specimens from 36 patients, including 36 at rectal inflammatory mucosa and 13 at terminal ileum were obtained by colonoscopic biopsies. Methylation specific polymerase chain reaction were performed to detect the methylation in promoters of the above six genes.

RESULTS

Methylation rate of ER promoter was significantly higher in the rectal mucosa than that in the ileum (76.3% vs. 46.2%, P=0.044). Moreover, ER methylation in rectal mucosa was significantly higher in relapse-remitting type compared to one attack only type cases (P=0.008), and also increased in cases longer than 7 years (P=0.036). Methylation rates of p14 or p16 were higher in rectal mucosa than those in the ileum, but the differences were not of statistic significance. Meanwhile, methylation in TP53 promoter was found in only one case, while p21 and hMLH1 methylation were negative in all cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Methylation in promoters of ER, p14 and p16 occurs in rectal inflammatory mucosa without neoplasia. Examination of ER methylation in rectal mucosa may be useful for predicting cases at high risk of neoplasia.

The Role of Mannan-Binding Lectin (MBL) Gene Polymorphism in Ulcerative Colitis

Series studies suggest that enteropathogenic microorganisms play a substantial role in the clinical initiation and relapses of ulcerative colitis (UC). Mannan-binding lectin (MBL) is an important constituent of the innate immune system, and deficiency of MBL has been reported to increase the overall susceptibility of an individual to infectious disease. This study was aimed to investigate the associations between polymorphisms of the MBL gene and UC. Recruited in this study were 108 Japanese patients with UC and 144 healthy control subjects. Polymorphism at codon 54 of exon 1 of the MBL gene was investigated by polymerase chain reaction based restriction fragment length polymorphism. In general, no significant difference in MBL polymorphism was found between UC patients and health controls. However, the frequency of A carriers was significantly higher in the relapsing cases than controls (Odds ration = 2.19, 95%CI, 1.10-4.34; p = 0.023), and similar tendency was also found in A/A genotype. In conclusion, the polymorphism at codon 54 of exon 1 of the MBL gene associated with the susceptibility to the relapsing phenotype of ulcerative colitis. It suggests that codon 54 A variants of MBL gene may have an increased risk for the flare-ups of UC.

Association between promoter polymorphisms of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 gene and peptic ulcer diseases

Transcription factor Nrf2 regulates the expression of detoxifying and antioxidant genes. Three promoter polymorphisms of this gene have been identified. We attempted to clarify the association of these polymorphisms with the development of peptic ulcer diseases. The study was performed with 384 stocked DNAs obtained from subjects with no evidence of gastric malignancy. In all 384 DNAs, 77 and 48 were obtained from gastric and duodenal ulcer patients, respectively. By an unadjusted analysis, infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), male gender and the -686/-684 G/G carrier (OR, 2.52; 95% CI, 1.19-5.45; p=0.016) were associated with a significantly increased risk for developing gastric ulcer, whereas the -686/-684 A/G homozygote was linked to a significantly reduced risk for developing gastric ulcer (OR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.099-0.67; p=0.0055). On the other hand, infection with H. pylori and male gender were significantly associated with the development of duodenal ulcer, whereas Nrf2 promoter polymorphisms were not. By the analysis, after adjustment for age, gender, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug/aspirin use and H. pylori infection status, the -686/-684 A/G homozygote was associated with a significantly reduced risk for gastric ulcer (OR, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.088-0.73; p=0.011). Our results suggest that promoter polymorphisms of the Nrf2 gene are associated with the susceptibility to gastric ulcer.

Genetic polymorphisms of molecules associated with inflammation and immune response in Japanese subjects with functional dyspepsia

Inflammatory changes in the gastric mucosa are commonly observed in Japanese patients with functional dyspepsia (FD). However, detailed data regarding the relationship between the genetic regulatory factors of inflammation and FD are not available. We investigated the associations between FD and genetic polymorphisms of molecules associated with inflammation or immune response (IL-17A, -17F and MIF). The study was performed with 278 subjects (188 with no upper abdominal symptoms and 90 with FD according to the Roma III criteria). We employed the PCR-SSCP (multiplex PCR for IL-17A and -17F) method to detect the gene polymorphisms. Overall, the polymorphisms of the IL-17A, -17F and MIF genes were not correlated with the susceptibility to FD. However, the MIF -173C allele carrier had a significantly increased risk for the development of epigastric pain syndrome (EPS) of FD (OR, 2.12; 95% CI, 1.00-4.49; p=0.0497). In Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-infected cases, the number of IL-17F 7488T alleles was positively correlated with the development of EPS (OR, 11.3; 95% CI, 1.23-103.2; p=0.032), while the IL-17F T/T homozygote and the MIF -173C carrier had an increased risk for EPS (OR, 10.4; 95% CI, 1.17-92.3; p=0.036 and OR, 3.66; 95% CI, 1.19-11.3; p=0.024, respectively). In addition, a significant interaction between the IL-17F 7488 polymorphism and H. pylori infection was shown to increase the activity and inflammation scores (p=0.043 and 0.042, respectively). There were no significant associations between the IL-17A polymorphism and FD. Our results provide the first evidence that the IL-17F and MIF gene polymorphisms are significantly associated with the development of FD, particularly EPS, a subgroup of FD, in H. pylori-infected subjects. The genetic polymorphisms of inflammation or immune response-related molecules are involved in the development of one of the FD subgroups via H. pylori-induced gastric inflammation.

Toll-like receptor 2 -196 to 174del polymorphism influences the susceptibility of Japanese people to gastric cancer

Toll like receptors (TLR) play important roles in the signaling of many pathogen-related molecules and endogenous proteins associated with immune activation. The -196 to -174del polymorphism affects the TLR2 gene and alters its promoter activity. We investigated the influence of the TLR2-196 to -174del polymorphism on the occurrence of non-cardiac gastric cancer (NCGC) in a Japanese population. The study was carried out with 289 patients with NCGC, 309 non-cancer patients with abdominal discomfort and 146 healthy controls. The -196 to -174del TLR2 polymorphism was investigated using the allele-specific polymerase chain reaction method in all of the subjects. The -196 to -174del/del genotype of TLR2 showed a significantly higher frequency in NCGC patients than in healthy controls (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 6.06; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.86-19.72). Similarly, the frequency of the -196 to -174del/del genotype was significantly higher among NCGC patients than in non-cancer patients (adjusted OR = 2.02; 95% CI = 1.22-3.34). The same genotype was associated with an increased risk of both intestinal (OR = 2.00, 95% CI = 1.12-3.60) and diffuse-type (OR = 2.05; 95% CI = 1.11-3.79) histopathology. There were no significant associations between TLR2 genotypes and tumor stage and anatomical location. Our data suggest that the -196 to -174del/del genotype of TLR2 may increase the risk of gastric cancer in the Japanese population.

Multi-drug resistance 1 polymorphism is associated with reduced risk of gastric cancer in the Japanese population

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Host genetic factors play a key role in gastric carcinogenesis, but the mechanism has not been clarified. The multi-drug resistance 1 (MDR1) gene mediates the expression of P-glycoprotein, which has a role in active transport of various substrates, including xenobiotics, and thus has a protective function in various tissues and organs like gastrointestinal epithelial cells. C3435T polymorphism in exon 26 of the MDR1 gene influences P-glycoprotein expression and activity in the gastrointestinal tract. We investigated the influences of MDR1 gene polymorphism on the risk of gastric cancer.

METHOD

The study was performed on 157 patients with gastric cancer (GC) and 104 patients without GC as the control group. C3435T polymorphism of MDR1 was investigated by PCR-RFLP in all of the patients.

RESULTS

The MDR1 3435 TT genotype showed a significantly higher frequency in controls than in GC patients (OR = 0.43; 95% CI = 0.23-0.79). There were no significant differences of the CT and CC genotype frequencies between GC patients and controls. We also found that the 3435TT genotype of MDR1 was associated with a lower risk of non-cardiac cancer (OR = 0.42; 95% CI = 0.23-0.79), middle-third cancer (OR = 0.36; 95% CI = 0.17-0.77), advanced cancer (OR = 0.31; 95% CI = 0.13-0.73), venous invasion (OR = 0.30; 95% CI = 0.10-0.91), and lymph node metastasis (OR = 0.28; 95% CI = 0.13-0.65).

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that 3435T/T polymorphism of MDR1 is associated with a reduced risk of gastric cancer in the Japanese population.

Functional polymorphisms in the promoter region of macrophage migration inhibitory factor and chronic gastritis

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a key proinflammatory mediator, which plays a pivotal role in inflammatory and immune diseases. We attempted to clarify associations of the functional polymorphisms of the MIF gene promoter with the development of chronic gastritis. The study was performed with 290 stocked DNAs from subjects with no evidence of gastric malignancy. We employed the PCR-SSCP method to detect gene polymorphisms. The severity of histological chronic gastritis in antral biopsy specimens was classified according to the updated Sydney system. Both the 7/7-CATT repeat at position -794 and the -173 C/C genotypes were significantly associated with a risk of developing severe gastric mucosal atrophy (OR, 9.69; 95% CI, 1.29-72.5; and OR, 4.60; 95% CI, 1.05-20.2, respectively). In subjects younger than 60 years old, the number of 7-CATT alleles was significantly correlated with both the activity and inflammation scores (p=0.0079 and 0.0080, respectively). Our results suggested that functional promoter polymorphisms of the MIF gene might be associated with the severity of gastric mucosal inflammation in younger subjects and with the subsequent development of mucosal atrophy.

The influence of polymorphisms of interleukin-17A and interleukin-17F genes on the susceptibility to ulcerative colitis

We investigated the association between ulcerative colitis (UC) and polymorphisms of IL-17A (rs2275913, G-197A) and IL-17F (rs763780, 7488T/C) genes. We employed the multiplex PCR-SSCP method to detect gene polymorphisms. Both the numbers of -197A (IL-17A) and 7488T (IL-17F) alleles were significantly correlated to the development of UC. The frequencies of -197A/A and 7488T/T genotypes in the UC group were significantly higher than those in the non-UC group. An adjusted analysis revealed that -197A and 7488T alleles were independent risk factors for the developing UC. In addition, both polymorphisms were significantly associated with the pancolitis phenotype. Furthermore, -197A allele was significantly correlated to the chronic relapsing phenotype and -197A/A homozygote was more frequent in steroid-dependent cases, whereas 7488T allele was correlated with the chronic continuous phenotype. Our results provided the first evidence that -197A (IL-17A) and 7488T (IL-17F) alleles may influence the susceptibility to and pathophysiological features of UC independently.