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Finn J, Suhl J, Kancherla V, Conway KM, Oleson J, Sidhu A, Nestoridi E, Fisher SC, Rasmussen SA, Yang W, Romitti PA. Maternal cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption and congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Birth Defects Res 2022; 114:746-758. [PMID: 35757961 PMCID: PMC9545134 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.2059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Background Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) occurs when abnormal diaphragm development allows herniation of abdominal organs into the thoracic cavity. Its etiopathogenesis is not well understood, but cigarette smoking and alcohol exposure may impact diaphragm development. Using data from a large, population‐based case–control study, we examined associations between maternal cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption and CDH in offspring. Methods We analyzed maternal interview reports of cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption during early pregnancy for 831 children with CDH and 11,416 children without birth defects with estimated dates of delivery during 1997–2011. Generalized linear mixed effects models with a random intercept for study site were used to estimate associations between measures of exposure to smoking (any, type, frequency, duration) and alcohol (any, quantity, frequency, variability, type) for all CDH combined and selected subtypes (Bochdalek and Morgagni). Results Mothers of 280 (34.0%) case and 3,451 (30.3%) control children reported early pregnancy exposure to cigarette smoking. Adjusted odds ratios for all CDH were increased for any (1.3; 95% confidence interval 1.1–1.5), active (1.3, 1.0–1.7), and passive (1.4, 1.1–1.7) smoking. Early pregnancy alcohol consumption was reported by mothers of 286 (34.9%) case and 4,200 (37.0%) control children; odds were near the null for any consumption (0.9, 0.8–1.1) and consumption with (0.9, 0.7, 1.1) or without (0.9, 0.8, 1.1) binging. Estimates for smoking and alcohol tended to be higher for Bochdalek CDH and Morgagni CDH than those for all CDH. Conclusions Findings suggest that maternal early pregnancy exposure to cigarette smoking, but less so to alcohol consumption, contributes to CDH. These findings need to be replicated in additional large studies that use systematic case ascertainment and classification, detailed exposure assessment, and examine subtype‐specific associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Finn
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Jonathan Suhl
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Vijaya Kancherla
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Kristin M Conway
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Jacob Oleson
- Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Alpa Sidhu
- Division of Medical Genetics and Genomics, Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Eirini Nestoridi
- Center for Birth Defects Research and Prevention, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sarah C Fisher
- Birth Defects Registry, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Sonja A Rasmussen
- Departments of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Wei Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Paul A Romitti
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa.,Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
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Retinol-binding protein 4 is associated with arterial stiffness in early postmenopausal women. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 27:906-912. [PMID: 32665530 DOI: 10.1097/gme.0000000000001598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Recent evidence in postmenopausal women suggested lack of association between serum levels of retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) and subclinical atherosclerosis; however, associations with arterial stiffness in this population remain unexplored. We evaluated the association among RBP4 and cardiovascular risk factors, including homocysteine, a marker involved in retinoic acid synthesis, and indices of arterial stiffness, in a sample of apparently healthy postmenopausal women. METHODS This cross-sectional study included 123 healthy postmenopausal women, not on hormone therapy, antihypertensive, or hypolipidemic treatment and with a menopausal age 10 years or less. We performed biochemical/hormonal assessment and sonographic evaluation, including carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) and carotid artery stiffness index (SI). RESULTS Univariate analysis showed that RBP4 values correlated with age, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and estradiol levels. There was a trend of association of SI and PWV with homocysteine and triglycerides. RBP4 differed according to PWV, using the median PWV value as cut-off (RBP4, PWV ≤8.1 vs >8.1 m/s: 10.09 ± 2.05 vs 10.85 ± 1.91 ng/mL, analysis of covariance P value 0.014 adjusted for age, menopausal age, estradiol, pulse pressure). Linear regression analysis showed that PWV was independently associated with RBP4, age, and pulse pressure, whereas SI was independently associated with RBP4. An increase of one standard deviation in RBP4 levels (2.54 ng/mL) was associated with an increase of 0.577 m/s in PWV. CONCLUSIONS RBP4 serum levels are associated with arterial stiffness, in a sample of healthy postmenopausal women. If this association is causative, serum RBP4 levels could serve as a marker of arterial stiffness. Prospective studies are required to investigate the significance of our findings. : Video Summary:http://links.lww.com/MENO/A621.
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Alser M, Shurbaji S, Yalcin HC. Mechanosensitive Pathways in Heart Development: Findings from Chick Embryo Studies. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2021; 8:jcdd8040032. [PMID: 33810288 PMCID: PMC8065436 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd8040032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The heart is the first organ that starts to function in a developing embryo. It continues to undergo dramatic morphological changes while pumping blood to the rest of the body. Genetic regulation of heart development is partly governed by hemodynamics. Chick embryo is a major animal model that has been used extensively in cardiogenesis research. To reveal mechanosensitive pathways, a variety of surgical interferences and chemical treatments can be applied to the chick embryo to manipulate the blood flow. Such manipulations alter expressions of mechanosensitive genes which may anticipate induction of morphological changes in the developing heart. This paper aims to present different approaches for generating clinically relevant disturbed hemodynamics conditions using this embryonic chick model and to summarize identified mechanosensitive genes using the model, providing insights into embryonic origins of congenital heart defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maha Alser
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar; (M.A.); (S.S.)
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha P.O. Box 34110, Qatar
| | - Samar Shurbaji
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar; (M.A.); (S.S.)
| | - Huseyin C. Yalcin
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar; (M.A.); (S.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +974-4403-7719
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Materna-Kiryluk A, Wisniewska K, Wieckowska B, Wierzba J, Jazdzewska A, Jaroszewska-Swiatek B, Skotnicka K, Latos-Bielenska A. Maternal Risk Factors Associated with Limb Reduction Defects: Data from the Polish Registry of Congenital Malformations (PRCM). CHILDREN-BASEL 2021; 8:children8020138. [PMID: 33673226 PMCID: PMC7918052 DOI: 10.3390/children8020138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Data from the Polish Registry of Congenital Malformations (PRCM) suggest that the prevalence of limb reduction defects (LRDs) in some Polish regions is significantly higher in comparison to that reported in the European Surveillance of Congenital Anomalies (EUROCAT) registry, but specific risk factors are still unknown. The objectives of this study were two-fold: to detect risk factors linked to isolated LRDs among Polish natives and to search for geospatial clusters of isolated LRDs to identify high-risk areas across the country. Among the 2,939,001 births accounted for in the PRCM, we determined that there were 852 children with distinct LRDs. Our data demonstrate that lower birth weight, prematurity, and maternal smoking history are strongly associated with isolated LRDs. Furthermore, our investigation pointed to various additional risk factors for isolated LRDs, including paternal education, gestational hypertension, upper respiratory tract infections, and exposure to anti-inflammatory drugs in the first trimester of pregnancy. We did not recognize statistically significant spatial or spatiotemporal clusters over the area of Poland using Kulldorff’s scan. Our study strengthens the hypothesis that maternal factors have an integral role in the etiology of isolated LRDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Materna-Kiryluk
- Polish Registry of Congenital Malformations, Chair and Department of Medical Genetics, University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznan, Poland; (K.S.); (A.L.-B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-608-393-490
| | - Katarzyna Wisniewska
- Epidemiology Unit, Department of Preventive Medicine Poznan, University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Barbara Wieckowska
- Department of Computer Science and Statistics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Jolanta Wierzba
- Department of Internal and Pediatric Nursing, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-952 Gdansk, Poland;
| | - Anna Jazdzewska
- Surgery and Burn Treatment Unit, Specialist Mother and Child Healthcare Centre in Poznan, 61-825 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Beata Jaroszewska-Swiatek
- Department of Clinical Pediatrics, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Children’s Hospital in Olsztyn, 10-561 Olsztyn, Poland;
| | - Kinga Skotnicka
- Polish Registry of Congenital Malformations, Chair and Department of Medical Genetics, University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznan, Poland; (K.S.); (A.L.-B.)
| | - Anna Latos-Bielenska
- Polish Registry of Congenital Malformations, Chair and Department of Medical Genetics, University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznan, Poland; (K.S.); (A.L.-B.)
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Almada MORDV, Almeida ACF, Ued FDV, Mathias MG, Coelho-Landell CDA, SalomÃo RG, Toffano RBD, Camarneiro JM, Hillesheim E, Barros TTD, Camelo-Junior JS, Moco S, Kaput J, Monteiro JP. Metabolic Groups Related to Blood Vitamin Levels and Inflammatory Biomarkers in Brazilian Children and Adolescents. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo) 2021; 66:515-525. [PMID: 33390393 DOI: 10.3177/jnsv.66.515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Certain B-vitamins and vitamin A may be involved in inflammatory pathways associated with homocysteine and omega-3 fatty acids. The aims of this study were (i) to determine whether different metabolic profiles of B-vitamins and vitamin A in Brazilian children and adolescents were positively or negatively related to homocysteine and omega-3 fatty acids using k-means clustering analysis, (ii) compare nutrient intakes and metabolites between the different metabolic profiles, (iii) evaluate if the statistically significant metabolites found between the metabolic groups, can predict the variation of leukotriene A4 hydrolase (LTA4H) levels, a biomarker of low-grade inflammation, in the total studied population. This cross-sectional study included 124 children and adolescents, aged 9-13 y old. Dietary intake was assessed by the food frequency questionnaire and 24-hour recall. Biomarkers for vitamins B2, B6, B12, folate and vitamin A were measured in plasma. Omega-3 fatty acids and homocysteine were measured in red blood cells (RBC). Two different metabolic profiles were found. Thirty of these individuals had overall average higher riboflavin, pyridoxal, and vitamin B12 plasma levels (metabolic group 1) compared to 94 individuals (group 2). Group 2 had lower dietary intake of vitamin B2, vitamin A, and vitamin B12 and higher RBC levels of homocysteine. EPA and DHA erythrocyte levels were not different between metabolic groups. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that blood cobalamin, riboflavin, pyridoxal and homocysteine combined, explained 9.0% of LTA4H levels variation in the total studied population. The metabolic group that had low plasma levels of riboflavin, pyridoxal, and cobalamin also had a lower dietary intake of B-vitamin and higher RBC homocysteine. The combined levels of the riboflavin, pyridoxal, cobalamin and homocysteine biomarkers can predict the variation of LTA4H in the total population studied, but it is not clear how this regulation occurs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Fábio da Veiga Ued
- Department of Pediatrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo.,Department of Health Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Elaine Hillesheim
- Department of Pediatrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo
| | | | | | - Sofia Moco
- Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
| | - Jim Kaput
- Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
| | - Jacqueline Pontes Monteiro
- Department of Pediatrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo.,Department of Health Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo
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Kurita H, Motoki N, Inaba Y, Misawa Y, Ohira S, Kanai M, Tsukahara T, Nomiyama T. Maternal alcohol consumption and risk of offspring with congenital malformation: the Japan Environment and Children's Study. Pediatr Res 2021; 90:479-486. [PMID: 33230193 PMCID: PMC8460444 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-020-01274-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The association between fetal exposure to alcohol and congenital structural disorders remains inconclusive. The present study searched for relationships between maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy and the risk of congenital malformations. METHODS We evaluated the fixed dataset of a large national birth cohort study including 73,595 mothers with a singleton live birth. Information regarding the alcohol consumption of mothers was obtained from self-reported questionnaires. Physicians assessed for 6 major congenital malformations (congenital heart defects [CHDs], male genital abnormalities, limb defects, cleft lip and/or cleft palate [orofacial clefts (OFC)], severe brain abnormalities, and gastrointestinal obstructions) up to 1 month after birth. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify associations between maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy and each malformation. RESULTS The prevalence of maternal drinking in early pregnancy and until the second/third trimester was 46.6% and 2.8%, respectively. The onset of CHD was inversely associated with mothers who quit drinking during early pregnancy (OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.74-0.98). There was no remarkable impact of maternal drinking habit status on the other congenital malformations after adjustment for covariates. CONCLUSIONS Maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy, even in early pregnancy, displayed no significant adverse impact on congenital malformations of interest. IMPACT This large-scale Japanese cohort study revealed that no teratogenic associations were found between maternal retrospective reports of periconceptional alcohol consumption and congenital malformations after adjustment for covariates. This is the first nationwide birth cohort study in Japan to assess the effect of maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy on major congenital malformations. Our finding indicated that maternal low-to-moderate alcohol consumption during pregnancy, even in early pregnancy, displayed no significant adverse impact on congenital heart defects, male genital abnormalities, limb defects, orofacial clefts, severe brain abnormalities, or gastrointestinal obstructions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Kurita
- grid.263518.b0000 0001 1507 4692Center for Perinatal, Pediatric, and Environmental Epidemiology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Nagano Japan ,grid.263518.b0000 0001 1507 4692Department of Dentistry and Oral Surgery, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Nagano Japan
| | - Noriko Motoki
- Center for Perinatal, Pediatric, and Environmental Epidemiology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan.
| | - Yuji Inaba
- grid.263518.b0000 0001 1507 4692Center for Perinatal, Pediatric, and Environmental Epidemiology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Nagano Japan ,grid.416376.10000 0004 0569 6596Department of Neurology, Nagano Children’s Hospital, Azumino, Nagano Japan
| | - Yuka Misawa
- grid.263518.b0000 0001 1507 4692Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Nagano Japan ,grid.416376.10000 0004 0569 6596Department of Rehabilitation, Nagano Children’s Hospital, Azumino, Nagano Japan
| | - Satoshi Ohira
- grid.263518.b0000 0001 1507 4692Center for Perinatal, Pediatric, and Environmental Epidemiology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Nagano Japan ,grid.263518.b0000 0001 1507 4692Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Nagano Japan
| | - Makoto Kanai
- grid.263518.b0000 0001 1507 4692Center for Perinatal, Pediatric, and Environmental Epidemiology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Nagano Japan
| | - Teruomi Tsukahara
- grid.263518.b0000 0001 1507 4692Center for Perinatal, Pediatric, and Environmental Epidemiology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Nagano Japan ,grid.263518.b0000 0001 1507 4692Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Nagano Japan
| | - Tetsuo Nomiyama
- grid.263518.b0000 0001 1507 4692Center for Perinatal, Pediatric, and Environmental Epidemiology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Nagano Japan ,grid.263518.b0000 0001 1507 4692Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Nagano Japan
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Bo Y, Zhu Y, Tao Y, Li X, Zhai D, Bu Y, Wan Z, Wang L, Wang Y, Yu Z. Association Between Folate and Health Outcomes: An Umbrella Review of Meta-Analyses. Front Public Health 2020; 8:550753. [PMID: 33384976 PMCID: PMC7770110 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.550753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: There is no study that has systematically investigated the breadth and validity of the associations of folate and multiple health outcomes. We aimed to evaluate the quantity, validity, and credibility of evidence regarding associations between folate and multiple health outcomes by using umbrella review of meta-analysis. Methods: We searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases from inception to May 20, 2018, to identify potential meta-analyses that examined the association of folate with any health outcome. For each included meta-analysis, we estimated the summary effect size and their 95% confidence interval using the DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model. We used the AMSTAR 2 (A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews) to assess methodological quality and the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation working group classification) to assess the quality of evidence for each outcome included in the umbrella review. Results: Overall, 108 articles reporting 133 meta-analyses of observational studies and 154 meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included in the study. Among them, 108 unique exposure-outcome-population triplets (referred to as unique meta-analyses hereafter) of RCTs and 87 unique meta-analyses of observational studies were reanalyzed. Beneficial effects of folate were observed in the all-cause mortality rate and in a number of chronic diseases, including several birth/pregnancy outcomes, several cancers, cardiovascular disease and metabolic-related outcomes, neurological conditions, and several other diseases. However, adverse effects of folate were observed for prostate cancer, colorectal adenomatous lesions, asthma or wheezing, and wheezing as an isolated symptom and depression. Conclusions: Current evidence allows for the conclusion that folate is associated with decreased risk of all-cause mortality and a wide range of chronic diseases. However, folate may be associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer. Further research is warranted to improve the certainty of the estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yacong Bo
- School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Yongjian Zhu
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yuchang Tao
- School of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xue Li
- School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China.,Centre for Population Health Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Desheng Zhai
- School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Yongjun Bu
- School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Zhongxiao Wan
- School of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ling Wang
- School of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yuming Wang
- Department of Administration, Henan University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zengli Yu
- School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
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Association between Serum Gamma-glutamyl transferase and Intracranial Arterial Calcification in Acute Ischemic Stroke Subjects. Sci Rep 2019; 9:19998. [PMID: 31882831 PMCID: PMC6934471 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-56569-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Intracranial artery calcification (IAC) is an important risk factor for cerebral infarction and a key biomarker for intracranial artery stenosis. Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) has been independently associated with increased cardiovascular events and coronary calcification. Our study assessed whether GGT is an independent factor for IAC in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients. This cross-sectional study involved a total of 754 patients with AIS (mean age: 65 ± 13.2 years). All the patients had received brain computed tomography angiography (CTA) examination to evaluate IAC. Further, serum GGT levels and other biochemical parameters were analyzed. The average GGT level in patients who died was also significantly increased (37.0 ± 26.8 vs 29.0 ± 21.5 U/L, p = 0.012). Partial correlation analysis showed that serum GGT levels were associated with NIHSS score at admission after adjustment for age and gender was considered (r = 0.150, p = 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that serum GGT levels independently predicted all-cause mortality (OR = 1.036, 95% CI: 1.014-1.060, p = 0.002), NIHSS scores (β = 0.051, 95% CI: 0.020-0.082, p = 0.001) and IAC scores (β = 0.006, 95% CI: 0.003-0.014, p = 0.005) in male patients. Each SD (standard deviation) increase of serum GGT levels was also associated with risk of all-cause mortality (OR = 2.272, 95% CI: 1.364-3.787, P = 0.002). GGT levels in patients with severe IAC were significantly elevated (37.6 ± 33.6 vs 28.6 ± 19.2, p < 0.001). However, serum GGT levels could not independently predict the severity of IAC in AIS patients. Our study identified that serum GGT levels were significantly elevated in patients who died, and the GGT levels had a certain association with the risk of death and IAC in male patients.
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Yu Y, Zhang H, Song Y, Lin T, Zhou Z, Guo H, Liu L, Wang B, Liu C, Li J, Zhang Y, Huo Y, Wang C, Wang X, Hou FF, Qin X, Xu X. Plasma retinol and the risk of first stroke in hypertensive adults: a nested case-control study. Am J Clin Nutr 2019; 109:449-456. [PMID: 30624586 DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/nqy320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Identification of novel risk factors is needed to further lower stroke risk. Data concerning the association between plasma retinol concentrations and the risk of stroke are limited. Objectives We aimed to evaluate the effect of plasma retinol on the risk of first stroke and to examine any possible effect modifiers in hypertensive patients. Methods The study sample population was drawn from the China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial (CSPPT), using a nested case-control design, including 620 cases with first stroke and 620 matched controls. In the CSPPT, a total of 20,702 hypertensive patients were randomly assigned to a double-blind, daily treatment with either 10 mg enalapril and 0.8 mg folic acid or 10 mg enalapril alone. The median treatment duration was 4.5 y. Results There was a significant inverse association between plasma retinol and the risk of first stroke (per 10-μg/dL increment; OR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.86, 0.97) and first ischemic stroke (OR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.86, 0.98). When retinol was assessed as quartiles, significantly lower risks of first stroke (OR: 0.64; 95% CI: 0.46, 0.88) and first ischemic stroke (OR: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.46, 0.96) were found in participants in quartiles 2-4 compared with those in quartile 1. Furthermore, a stronger inverse association between plasma retinol and first stroke was observed in participants with baseline total homocysteine (<10 compared with ≥10 μmol/L; P-interaction = 0.049). However, plasma retinol had no significant effect on first hemorrhagic stroke (per 10-μg/dL increment; OR: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.79, 1.18). Conclusions Our data showed a significant inverse association between plasma retinol and the risk of first stroke among Chinese hypertensive adults. This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00794885.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaren Yu
- National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Disease, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Division of Nephrology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Yun Song
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Tengfei Lin
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Ziyi Zhou
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Huiyuan Guo
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Lishun Liu
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Binyan Wang
- National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Disease, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Division of Nephrology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Institute of Biomedicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | | | - Jianping Li
- Department of Cardiology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yong Huo
- Department of Cardiology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Chaofu Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Xingyi People's Hospital, Guizhou, China
| | - Xiaobin Wang
- Department of Population, Family, and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
| | - Fan Fan Hou
- National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Disease, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Division of Nephrology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xianhui Qin
- National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Disease, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Division of Nephrology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Institute of Biomedicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Xiping Xu
- National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Disease, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Division of Nephrology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.,Institute of Biomedicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
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Rizzo A, Sciorsci RL. Role of homocysteine metabolism in animal reproduction: A review. Res Vet Sci 2018; 122:29-35. [PMID: 30448392 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2018.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2018] [Revised: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 11/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Homocysteine (Hcy) is a thiol-containing essential amino acid, important for the growth of cells and tissues. Several hypotheses exist regarding Hcy toxicity in humans; Hcy is involved in protein structural modifications, oxidative stress, and neurotoxicity induction and is therefore associated with several pathological conditions in humans. In veterinary science, knowledge regarding Hcy has increased recently due to several studies; however, many aspects remain undiscovered. Many details remain unknown regarding the effect of Hcy levels on pregnancy and the optimal management of pathological conditions associated with Hcy levels during pregnancy in various species. In this review, we aimed to compile various studies on Hcy metabolism to elucidate its current status in the veterinary field, particularly for ovine, bovine, equine, porcine, canine, and feline species.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Rizzo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Section of Obstetric Clinic, University of Bari Aldo Moro, S.P. per Casamassima km 3, 70010 Valenzano, BA, Italy
| | - R L Sciorsci
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Section of Obstetric Clinic, University of Bari Aldo Moro, S.P. per Casamassima km 3, 70010 Valenzano, BA, Italy.
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Yang HL, Yang YL, Yu CH, Shiao SPK. Meta-Prediction of MTHFR Gene Polymorphism and Air Pollution on the Risks of Congenital Heart Defects Worldwide: A Transgenerational Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2018; 15:ijerph15081660. [PMID: 30081597 PMCID: PMC6121605 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15081660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Revised: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death in children, and is affected by genetic and environmental factors. To investigate the association of air pollution with methylene-tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphisms and the risk of CHD, we included 58 study groups of children and parents, with 12,347 cases and 18,106 controls worldwide. Both MTHFR C677T (rs 1801133) and A1298C (rs 1801131) gene polymorphisms were risks for CHD in children with transgenerational effects from their parents. Countries with greater risks of CHD with a pooled risk ratio (RR) > 2 from MTHFR 677 polymorphisms included Germany, Portugal, China, and Egypt for children; and Brazil, Puerto Rico, Mexico, China, and Egypt for mothers. Whereas, countries with greater risk of CHD with RR > 2 from MTHFR 1298 polymorphisms included Taiwan, Turkey, and Egypt for children; and Brazil, China, and Egypt for mothers. Additionally, meta-prediction analysis revealed that the percentages of MTHFR 677TT and TT plus CT polymorphisms together were increased in countries with higher levels of air pollution, with a trend of increased CHD risks with higher levels of air pollution for children (p = 0.07). Our findings may have significant implications for inflammatory pathways in association with MTHFR polymorphisms and future intervention studies to correct for folate-related enzyme deficits resulted from MTHFR polymorphisms to prevent CHDs for future generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsiao-Ling Yang
- School of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10051, Taiwan.
| | - Ya-Ling Yang
- School of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10051, Taiwan.
| | - Chong Ho Yu
- Department of Psychology, Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, CA 91702, USA.
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Kobus-Bianchini K, Bourckhardt GF, Ammar D, Nazari EM, Müller YMR. Homocysteine-induced changes in cell proliferation and differentiation in the chick embryo spinal cord: implications for mechanisms of neural tube defects (NTD). Reprod Toxicol 2017; 69:167-173. [PMID: 28242235 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2017.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2016] [Revised: 02/10/2017] [Accepted: 02/21/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Maternal hyperhomocysteinemia during pregnancy is associated with increased risk of NTD in the offspring. Our study investigated the effects of homocysteine (Hcy) on proliferation and neuronal differentiation of the spinal cord cells in a chick embryo model. Embryos were treated with 20μmol D-L Hcy/50μL saline solution at embryonic day 2 (E2) and analyzed at embryonic days 4 (E4) and 6 (E6). Control embryos received exclusively 50μL saline solution. We performed immunolocalization and flow cytometry analyses using antibodies anti-phosphohistone H3 (pH3), anti-proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), anti-β-tubulin III and anti-p53. Our results revealed that Hcy interferes in the proliferation of the neural cells, and that this effect is age-dependent and differed between Hcy-treated embryos with and without NTD. Also, Hcy induced a decrease of neuronal differentiation in the spinal cord at both embryonic ages. These findings contribute to clarifying the cellular bases of NTD genesis, under experimental hiperhomocysteinemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karoline Kobus-Bianchini
- Departamento de Fisioterapia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde e do Esporte, UDESC, Rua Pascoal Simone 358, Coqueiros, Florianópolis, SC, 88080-350, Brazil; Centro Universitário Estácio de Sá Santa Catarina, Avenida Leoberto Leal 431, São José, SC, 88117-001, Brazil.
| | - Gilian Fernando Bourckhardt
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, UFSC, Campus Universitário, Trindade, Florianópolis, SC, 88040-900, Brazil
| | - Dib Ammar
- Centro Universitário Católica de Santa Catarina, Rua Visconde de Taunay 427, Centro, Joinville, SC, 89203-005, Brazil
| | - Evelise Maria Nazari
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, UFSC, Campus Universitário, Trindade, Florianópolis, SC, 88040-900, Brazil; Departamento de Biologia Celular, Embriologia e Genética, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, UFSC, Campus Universitário, Trindade, Florianópolis, SC, 88040-900, Brazil
| | - Yara Maria Rauh Müller
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, UFSC, Campus Universitário, Trindade, Florianópolis, SC, 88040-900, Brazil; Departamento de Biologia Celular, Embriologia e Genética, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, UFSC, Campus Universitário, Trindade, Florianópolis, SC, 88040-900, Brazil
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Xu A, Cao X, Lu Y, Li H, Zhu Q, Chen X, Jiang H, Li X. A Meta-Analysis of the Relationship Between Maternal Folic Acid Supplementation and the Risk of Congenital Heart Defects. Int Heart J 2016; 57:725-728. [PMID: 27829639 DOI: 10.1536/ihj.16-054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Controversial opinions exist with respect to the relationship between maternal folic acid (FA) supplementation and birth prevalence of congenital heart defects (CHDs).Eligible articles were retrieved by searching databases, including PubMed, Cochrane library, EMBASE, CNKI, and WanFang up to September 2015. A meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the effects of FA on CHDs. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (CIs) were merged using STATA 12.0. Meta-regression analysis was used to explore the possible sources of heterogeneity. Subgroup analysis according to the selected sources was also performed. Publication bias was assessed by Egger's test.Twenty studies were included in the meta-analysis. The overall analysis showed that FA supplementation was significantly associated with decreased risk of CHDs. The meta-regression analysis showed that geographical area could be an important source of heterogeneity. The subgroup analysis based on the geographical area revealed that FA supplementation during pregnancy was a protective factor against CHDs in Chinese and European patients, but not in American patients. Subgroup analysis according to literature quality also displayed positive associations between FA supplementation and the decreased risk of CHDs of China.FA supplementation during pregnancy significantly decreases the risk of CHDs in newborns in China and Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aiping Xu
- Prenatal Screening Diagnosis Center, Nantong Maternal and Child Health Hospital
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Ebadifar A, Ameli N, Khorramkhorshid HR, Salehi Zeinabadi4 M, Kamali K, Khoshbakht T. Incidence Assessment of MTHFR C677T and A1298C Polymorphisms in Iranian Non-syndromic Cleft Lip and/or Palate Patients. J Dent Res Dent Clin Dent Prospects 2015; 9:101-4. [PMID: 26236436 PMCID: PMC4517301 DOI: 10.15171/joddd.2015.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2014] [Accepted: 03/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and aims. The aim of the present study is to determine the incidence of MTHFR C677 T and A1298C muta-tions in Iranian patients with cleft lip and/or cleft palate. Materials and methods. We screened 61 Iranian patients with cleft lip and/or cleft palate for mutations in the two alleles of MTHFR gene associated with cleft lip and/or palate: A1298C and C677T, using Polymerase Chain Reaction following by RFLP. Results. The 677T and 1298C homozygote genotypes showed a frequency of 36.1% and 11.4%, respectively. Combined genotype frequencies in newborns having oral clefts showed that the highest genotype was 677TT/1298AA (22.9%) and 677TT/1298CC genotypes were not observed. Conclusion. The results showed that 65.6% of all patients had at least one T mutant allele in C677T and 58.9% C mutant allele for A1298C. According to the frequencies of homozygosity of mutant alleles, it could be said that MTHFR genotype of 677TT shows a greater role in having oral clefts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asghar Ebadifar
- Associate Professor, Dentofacial Deformities Research Center, Research Institute of Dental Sciences, Shahid Behehsti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nazila Ameli
- Assistant Professor of Orthodontics, Dental School, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Hamid Reza Khorramkhorshid
- Professor, Genetic Research Centre, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Salehi Zeinabadi4
- Assistant Professor of Pediatric Dentistry, Dental School, Semnan university of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Kourosh Kamali
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tayyebeh Khoshbakht
- MSC, Genetic Research Centre, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Caspers Conway KM, Romitti PA, Holmes L, Olney RS, Richardson SD. Maternal periconceptional alcohol consumption and congenital limb deficiencies. BIRTH DEFECTS RESEARCH. PART A, CLINICAL AND MOLECULAR TERATOLOGY 2014; 100:863-76. [PMID: 25132072 PMCID: PMC4427046 DOI: 10.1002/bdra.23292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2014] [Revised: 07/07/2014] [Accepted: 07/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Women of childbearing age report high rates of alcohol consumption, which may result in alcohol exposure during early pregnancy. Epidemiological research on congenital limb deficiencies (LDs) and periconceptional exposure to alcohol is inconclusive. METHODS Data from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (NBDPS) were examined for associations between LDs and patterns of maternal periconceptional (1 month before conception through the first trimester) alcohol consumption among LD case (n = 906) and unaffected control (n = 8352) pregnancies with expected delivery dates from 10/1997 through 12/2007. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals were estimated from unconditional logistic regression analysis for all LDs combined, specific LD subtypes (preaxial/terminal transverse), and LD anatomic groups (upper/lower limbs); interactions with folic acid (FA) supplementation were tested. RESULTS When compared with nondrinkers, inverse associations were found between all LDs combined, preaxial, and upper LDs and any reported periconceptional alcohol consumption (aORs ranged from 0.56-0.83), drinking without binging (aORs: 0.53-0.75), and binge drinking (≥4 drinks/occasion) (aORs: 0.64-0.94); however, none of the binge drinking aORs were statistically significant. Stratification by alcohol type showed inverse associations between all LDs combined, preaxial, transverse, and upper and lower LDs for drinking without binging of wine only (aORs: 0.39-0.67) and between all LDs combined and upper LDs for drinking without binging of combinations of alcohol (aORs: 0.63-0.87). FA did not modify observed associations. CONCLUSION Maternal periconceptional alcohol consumption did not emerge as a teratogen for selected LDs in the NBDPS. Future studies should evaluate additional rare LDs among more highly exposed populations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paul A. Romitti
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Lewis Holmes
- Genetics and Teratology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Richard S. Olney
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Sandra D. Richardson
- Congenital Malformations Registry, Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York
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Caspers KM, Romitti PA, Lin S, Olney RS, Holmes LB, Werler MM. Maternal periconceptional exposure to cigarette smoking and congenital limb deficiencies. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2013; 27:509-20. [PMID: 24134526 PMCID: PMC4445653 DOI: 10.1111/ppe.12075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Congenital limb deficiencies (LD)s are characterised by the failure or disruption in formation of limbs or digits. Epidemiological research on maternal exposure to cigarette smoke and LDs is inconclusive. METHODS Data from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study were used to examine LDs and maternal exposure to active or passive cigarette smoke. Mothers of LD case (n = 906) and unaffected control (n = 8352) pregnancies from October 1997 through December 2007 reported on exposure type and quantity. Logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval [95% CI]; interactions with folic acid (FA) intake were tested. RESULTS For any LD, ORs were elevated for active (1.24 [95% CI 1.01, 1.53]), passive (home) (1.28 [95% CI 1.03, 1.59]), and 'active and passive' (1.34 [95% CI 1.05, 1.70]) exposures. The ORs for longitudinal LDs were elevated for passive (home) (1.62 [95% CI 1.14, 2.31]) and 'active and passive' (1.62 [95% CI 1.09, 2.41]) exposures. The OR for pre-axial LDs were elevated for any (1.39 [95% CI 1.01, 1.90]), active (1.53 [95% CI 1.03, 2.29]), passive (home) (1.82 [95% CI 1.23, 2.69]), and 'active and passive' (1.87 [95% CI 1.20, 2.92]) exposures. For lower limbs, ORs were elevated for passive (home) (1.44 [95% CI 1.01, 2.04]) and smoking 15 or more cigarettes/day (2.25 [95% CI 1.27, 3.97]). Interactions showed that ORs for any passive smoke exposure were 0.43 and 0.59 higher in the absence of FA intake for any and terminal transverse LDs. CONCLUSIONS Maternal active smoking and exposure to passive cigarette smoke emerged as a potential teratogen that affects limb and digit formation. FA was not found to mitigate the impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin M. Caspers
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
| | - Paul A. Romitti
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
| | - Shao Lin
- Department of Health, New York State, Albany, NY
| | | | - Lewis B. Holmes
- Genetics and Teratology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
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Kobus K, Ammar D, Nazari EM, Müller YMR. Homocysteine causes disruptions in spinal cord morphology and changes the expression of Pax 1/9 and Sox 9 gene products in the axial mesenchyme. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 97:386-97. [PMID: 23716459 DOI: 10.1002/bdra.23131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2012] [Revised: 02/01/2013] [Accepted: 02/26/2013] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neural tube defects (NTD) involve disruptions in the axial mesenchyme, and are related to an imbalance between folic acid (FA) and homocysteine (Hcy). This study evaluated the effects of FA/Hcy imbalance on cell proliferation and expression of the Pax 1/9 and Sox 9 gene products in the axial mesenchyme of chickens. METHODS Embryos were incubated (38°C) and pretreated at 24 h and treated at 46 h of incubation. The experimental groups were: FA-pretreated with saline and treated with 0.5 μg FA/saline; Hcy-pretreated with 50 μl saline and treated with 20 μmol D,L-Hcy/50 μl saline; FA+Hcy-pretreated with 0.5 μg FA/50 μl saline and treated with 20 μmol D,L-Hcy/50 μl saline; and the control embryos were pretreated and treated with saline. Embryos were analyzed at E4 and E6. Immunohistochemistry was performed to identify proliferating cells and the expression of the gene products of Pax 1/9 and Sox 9. Total RNA of the E4 embryos was extracted and a RT-qPCR assay was performed to quantify Pax 1/9 mRNA expression. RESULTS Hcy treatment caused spinal NTD and abnormalities in axial mesenchyme development, affecting the distribution of sclerotomal cells and chondrification. Hcy also reduced cell proliferation and changed the expression of Pax 1/9 and Sox 9 in the mesenchyme. CONCLUSIONS Our data clarified the relationship between spinal NTD genesis and disruptions of Pax 1/9 and Sox 9 gene products in the axial mesenchyme caused by the FA/Hcy imbalance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karoline Kobus
- Departamento de Biologia Celular, Embriologia e Genética, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário, Trindade, Florianópolis, SC, 88040-900, Brazil
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van Wettere W, Herde P, Hughes P. Supplementing sow gestation diets with betaine during summer increases litter size of sows with greater numbers of parities. Anim Reprod Sci 2012; 132:44-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2012.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2012] [Revised: 04/16/2012] [Accepted: 04/19/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Carter CJ. The Fox and the Rabbits-Environmental Variables and Population Genetics (1) Replication Problems in Association Studies and the Untapped Power of GWAS (2) Vitamin A Deficiency, Herpes Simplex Reactivation and Other Causes of Alzheimer's Disease. ISRN NEUROLOGY 2011; 2011:394678. [PMID: 22389816 PMCID: PMC3263564 DOI: 10.5402/2011/394678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2011] [Accepted: 04/20/2011] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Classical population genetics shows that varying permutations of genes and risk factors permit or disallow the effects of causative agents, depending on circumstance. For example, genes and environment determine whether a fox kills black or white rabbits on snow or black ash covered islands. Risk promoting effects are different on each island, but obscured by meta-analysis or GWAS data from both islands, unless partitioned by different contributory factors. In Alzheimer's disease, the foxes appear to be herpes, borrelia or chlamydial infection, hypercholesterolemia, hyperhomocysteinaemia, diabetes, cerebral hypoperfusion, oestrogen depletion, or vitamin A deficiency, all of which promote beta-amyloid deposition in animal models—without the aid of gene variants. All relate to risk factors and subsets of susceptibility genes, which condition their effects. All are less prevalent in convents, where nuns appear less susceptible to the ravages of ageing. Antagonism of the antimicrobial properties of beta-amyloid by Abeta autoantibodies in the ageing population, likely generated by antibodies raised to beta-amyloid/pathogen protein homologues, may play a role in this scenario. These agents are treatable by diet and drugs, vitamin supplementation, pathogen detection and elimination, and autoantibody removal, although again, the beneficial effects of individual treatments may be tempered by genes and environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- C J Carter
- PolygenicPathways, Flat 4, 20 Upper Maze Hill, St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, TN38 0LG, UK
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Tsitsiou E, Sibley CP, D’Souza SW, Catanescu O, Jacobsen DW, Glazier JD. Homocysteine is transported by the microvillous plasma membrane of human placenta. J Inherit Metab Dis 2011; 34:57-65. [PMID: 20567909 PMCID: PMC2966547 DOI: 10.1007/s10545-010-9141-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2010] [Revised: 04/01/2010] [Accepted: 05/31/2010] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Elevated maternal plasma concentrations of homocysteine (Hcy) are associated with pregnancy complications and adverse neonatal outcomes. The postulate that we wish to advance here is that placental transport of Hcy, by competing with endogenous amino acids for transporter activity, may account for some of the damaging impacts of Hcy on placental metabolism and function as well as fetal development. In this article, we provide an overview of some recent studies characterising the transport mechanisms for Hcy across the microvillous plasma membrane (MVM) of the syncytiotrophoblast, the transporting epithelium of human placenta. Three Hcy transport systems have been identified, systems L, A and y(+)L. This was accomplished using a strategy of competitive inhibition to investigate the effects of Hcy on the uptake of well-characterised radiolabelled substrates for each transport system into isolated MVM vesicles. The reverse experiments were also performed, examining the effects of model substrates on [³⁵S]L-Hcy uptake. This article describes the evidence for systems L, A and y(+)L involvement in placental Hcy transport and discusses the physiological implications of these findings with respect to placental function and fetal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Tsitsiou
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Group, School of Biomedicine, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, St Mary’s Hospital, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9WL, UK
| | - Colin P. Sibley
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Group, School of Biomedicine, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, St Mary’s Hospital, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9WL, UK
| | - Stephen W. D’Souza
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Group, School of Biomedicine, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, St Mary’s Hospital, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9WL, UK
| | - Otilia Catanescu
- Department of Cell Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Donald W. Jacobsen
- Department of Cell Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Jocelyn D. Glazier
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Group, School of Biomedicine, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, St Mary’s Hospital, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9WL, UK.
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Ghatpande SK, Zhou HR, Cakstina I, Carlson C, Rondini EA, Romeih M, Zile MH. Transforming growth factor beta2 is negatively regulated by endogenous retinoic acid during early heart morphogenesis. Dev Growth Differ 2010; 52:433-55. [PMID: 20507358 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-169x.2010.01183.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Vitamin A-deficient (VAD) quail embryos lack the vitamin A-active form, retinoic acid (RA) and are characterized by a phenotype that includes a grossly abnormal cardiovascular system that can be rescued by RA. Here we report that the transforming growth factor, TGFbeta2 is involved in RA-regulated cardiovascular development. In VAD embryos TGFbeta2 mRNA and protein expression are greatly elevated. The expression of TGFbeta receptor II is also elevated in VAD embryos but is normalized by treatment with TGFbeta2-specific antisense oligonucleotides (AS). Administration of this AS or an antibody specific for TGFbeta2 to VAD embryos normalizes posterior heart development and vascularization, while the administration of exogenous active TGFbeta2 protein to normal quail embryos mimics the excessive TGFbeta2 status of VAD embryos and induces VAD cardiovascular phenotype. In VAD embryos pSmad2/3 and pErk1 are not activated, while pErk2 and pcRaf are elevated and pSmad1/5/8 is diminished. We conclude that in the early avian embryo TGFbeta2 has a major role in the retinoic acid-regulated posterior heart morphogenesis for which it does not use Smad2/3 pathways, but may use other signaling pathways. Importantly, we conclude that retinoic acid is a critical negative physiological regulator of the magnitude of TGFbeta2 signals during vertebrate heart formation.
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Caspers KM, Oltean C, Romitti PA, Sun L, Pober BR, Rasmussen SA, Yang W, Druschel C. Maternal periconceptional exposure to cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption and congenital diaphragmatic hernia. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 88:1040-9. [PMID: 20842650 DOI: 10.1002/bdra.20716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2010] [Revised: 06/16/2010] [Accepted: 07/02/2010] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a major birth defect that occurs when abdominal organs herniate through a diaphragmatic opening into the thoracic cavity and is associated with high mortality (>50%). The etiology of CDH is not well understood. METHODS Using data from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study, we examined associations between CDH and maternal periconceptional exposure (1 month before through the third month of pregnancy) to cigarette smoking and alcohol. Interview reports of exposures were provided by mothers of CDH (n = 503) and unaffected control (n = 6703) infants delivered from October 1997 through December 2005. Any exposure (yes/no), as well as quantity (average number of cigarettes or drinks), type (active/passive smoking; beer, wine, distilled spirits), and duration (e.g., number of months exposed) were examined. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for all CDH cases combined, selected subtypes (Bochdalek, Morgagni, not otherwise specified), and phenotypes (infants with/without additional major birth defects). RESULTS The aOR for any smoking was nonsignificantly elevated for all CDH cases combined. Odds of any smoking was significant for isolated Bochdalek CDH (aOR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.2-3.0). The aORs associated with all measures of alcohol consumption were near unity for each CDH category examined. Stratification of smoking exposure by alcohol consumption and stratification of alcohol consumption by smoking exposure did not appreciably change the aORs. CONCLUSIONS These findings identified periconceptional smoking exposure as a potential risk factor for CDH. Future studies need to confirm our findings and explore possible pathways accounting for the teratogenic effect of smoking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin M Caspers
- Department of Epidemiology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA
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Beurskens LWJE, Tibboel D, Steegers-Theunissen RÃPM. Role of nutrition, lifestyle factors, and genes in the pathogenesis of congenital diaphragmatic hernia: human and animal studies. Nutr Rev 2009; 67:719-30. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1753-4887.2009.00247.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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Tsitsiou E, Sibley CP, D'Souza SW, Catanescu O, Jacobsen DW, Glazier JD. Homocysteine transport by systems L, A and y+L across the microvillous plasma membrane of human placenta. J Physiol 2009; 587:4001-13. [PMID: 19564394 PMCID: PMC2756434 DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2009.173393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2009] [Accepted: 06/29/2009] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Elevated maternal plasma levels of homocysteine (Hcy) are associated with pregnancy complications and adverse neonatal outcomes, suggesting placental transport of Hcy may impact on fetal development. However, such transport mechanisms have not been defined. In this study we characterise Hcy transport mechanisms across the microvillous plasma membrane (MVM) of the syncytiotrophoblast, the transporting epithelium of human placenta. Three candidate transport systems, systems L, A and y(+)L, were examined utilising competitive inhibition to investigate the effects of Hcy on the uptake of well-characterised radiolabelled substrates for each system into isolated MVM vesicles, and that of model substrates on 10 microm [(35)S]l-Hcy uptake. System L activity was inhibited by both l-Hcy and dl-Hcy, comparable to model substrates including 2-aminobicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2-carboxylic acid (BCH). System L constituted the major transport mechanism, with significant BCH inhibition (69%) of [(35)S]l-Hcy uptake. System A activity was also inhibited by l-Hcy and dl-Hcy with a smaller contribution (21%) to [(35)S]l-Hcy uptake. Inhibition by l-Hcy and dl-Hcy of system y(+)L activity was Na(+) sensitive with a significant inhibition constant (K(i)) shift observed following K(+) replacement; l-arginine reduced [(35)S]l-Hcy uptake by 19%. Kinetic modelling of [(35)S]l-Hcy uptake resolved two, Na(+)-independent, transport components (K(m) 72 microm and 9.7 mm). This study provides evidence for the involvement of systems L, A and y(+)L in placental Hcy transport. Such transport, by competing with endogenous amino acids for transporter activity, could have major implications for syncytiotrophoblast metabolism and function as well as fetal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Tsitsiou
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Group, University of Manchester, St Mary's Hospital, Hathersage Road, Manchester M13 0JH, UK
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25
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Effects of folic acid and homocysteine on spinal cord morphology of the chicken embryo. Histochem Cell Biol 2009; 132:525-32. [DOI: 10.1007/s00418-009-0630-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/28/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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26
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Smedts HPM, de Vries JH, Rakhshandehroo M, Wildhagen MF, Verkleij-Hagoort AC, Steegers EA, Steegers-Theunissen RPM. High maternal vitamin E intake by diet or supplements is associated with congenital heart defects in the offspring. BJOG 2009; 116:416-23. [PMID: 19187374 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2008.01957.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study associations between maternal dietary and supplement intake of antioxidants vitamin E, retinol and congenital heart defects (CHDs). DESIGN Case-control study. SETTING Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, the Netherlands. POPULATION Participants were 276 case mothers of a child with CHD and 324 control mothers with their children. METHODS Food frequency questionnaires covering the intake of the previous 4 weeks were filled out at 16 months after the index pregnancy. Data were compared between cases and controls using the Mann-Whitney U test. Risk estimates for the association between CHD and dietary intake of vitamin E and retinol were estimated in a multivariable logistic regression model. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Medians (5-95th percentile) and odds ratios with 95% CI. RESULTS Dietary vitamin E intake was higher in case mothers than in controls, 13.3 (8.1-20.4) and 12.6 (8.5-19.8) mg/day (P= 0.05). CHD risk increased with rising dietary vitamin E intakes (P-trend = 0.01). Periconception use of vitamin E supplements in addition to a high dietary vitamin E intake above 14.9 mg/day up to nine-fold increased CHD risk. Retinol intakes were not significantly different between the groups and not associated with CHD risk. CONCLUSIONS High maternal vitamin E by diet and supplements is associated with an increased risk of CHD offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- H P M Smedts
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Division of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Wintner S, Hafner E, Stonek F, Stuempflen I, Metzenbauer M, Philipp K. Association of congenital cardiac defects and the C677T methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphism. Prenat Diagn 2007; 27:704-8. [PMID: 17510921 DOI: 10.1002/pd.1761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE MTHFR C677T polymorphism and hyperhomocysteinemia have been associated with congenital malformations of the heart and neural tube defects. A common missense mutation in the MTHFR gene (C to T substitution at position 677) produces a variant with reduced enzymatic action. The aim of this retrospective case control study was to investigate whether the occurrence of the MTHFR polymorphism is increased in mothers and fathers of children with a congenital heart disease (CHD) in our population. METHODS We genotyped 31 couples with CHD offspring and 31 control couples for this study by obtaining smears from buccal gingiva cells and analyzed these for the MTHFR polymorphism by hybridization on microarrays. RESULTS Statistical significance was calculated using the chi-square test and Pearson-exact test, respectively. The prevalence of homozygosity or heterozygosity for the MTHFR polymorphism was not significantly increased in parents of CHD affected children. Nevertheless significance was observed for the association between aortic arch anomalies and the mothers. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study do not show any significant association between the MTHFR C677T polymorphism and CHD in our population. Although the numbers are small (n = 3), the MTHFR (C677T) polymorphism may be linked to the development of aortic arch anomalies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Wintner
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Donauspital des SMZ-Ost, Vienna, Austria.
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28
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Pereira AC, Xavier-Neto J, Mesquita SM, Mota GFA, Lopes AA, Krieger JE. Lack of evidence of association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and congenital heart disease in a TDT study design. Int J Cardiol 2006; 105:15-8. [PMID: 16207540 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2004.10.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2004] [Revised: 09/22/2004] [Accepted: 10/02/2004] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hyperhomocysteinemia is frequently associated with congenital defects of the heart and neural tube. A common missense mutation in the MTHFR gene (C to T substitution at position 677 changing valine to alanine) produces a variant with reduced enzymatic action, resulting in higher plasma levels of homocysteine. The aim of this study is to investigate whether MTHFR C677T functional genetic variant is associated with an increased risk of congenital heart disease (CHD) development using a family-based case-control design and the Transmission Disequilibrium Test (TDT) approach. METHODS We selected 91 consecutive patients with congenital heart disease for the study. From these patients we were able to obtain samples on 147 parents. The C677T polymorphism at the MTHFR gene was determined from each participant. RESULTS A statistically significant association was disclosed in univariate analysis using a family-based case-control design (p<0.0001 assuming an additive genetic model, p<0.0001 assuming a dominant genetic model, and p=0.01 assuming a recessive genetic model). This association was explained by an increased frequency of the T allele in patients as compared to their fathers. However, by using a TDT approach a highly non-significant result was obtained and no association could be defined between this locus and congenital heart disease. CONCLUSIONS We did not find sufficient evidence for an association between MTHFR C677T genotype and congenital heart disease in our study group. Previous reports on such association may be due to population genetic structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre C Pereira
- Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Cardiology, Heart Institute, São Paulo University Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil.
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29
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Zhao L, Wang G, Lu D, Wu J, Song F, Dong J, Bi Z, Li Y. Homocysteine, hRIP3 and congenital cardiovascular malformations. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006; 211:203-12. [PMID: 16429275 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-005-0074-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/05/2005] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Elevated serum homocysteine (Hcys) levels have been suggested to contribute to congenital cardiovascular malformations, neural tube defects, and cardiovascular diseases. To investigate the mechanisms resulting in cardiovascular diseases and birth defects, Kuang-Hueih Chen et al. identified and characterized a novel gene, named rHCY2, whose expression was markedly up-regulated when Hcys was elevated in rat. In vivo, rHCY2 gene could induce chicken embryonic cells apoptosis and embryonic malformations. Its N-terminal kinase domain is apparently similar to human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase 3 (hRIP3). In view of this, we hypothesize that a link between the teratogenic effects of Hcys and hRIP3 is theoretically plausible. However, given the lack of data on the topic, it remains to be seen whether an elevated serum Hcys level will increase the expression of hRIP3. Using normal and abnormal human fetal hearts and cultured normal human fetal cardiomyocytes, we show that congenital cardiovascular malformations are associated with the overexpression of hRIP3, and evidence is found for a certain association between overexpression of hRIP3 and homocysteine-induced congenital cardiovascular malformations. Folic acid and anti-hRIP3 antibodies seem to favor maintenance of the shape and ultrastructure of cultured human fetal cardiomyocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijun Zhao
- Department of Gynecology, Peking University People's Hospital, 100044 Beijing, China
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Latacha KS, Rosenquist TH. Homocysteine inhibits extra-embryonic vascular development in the avian embryo. Dev Dyn 2005; 234:323-31. [PMID: 16124006 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.20527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
A strong association exists between pregnancy loss and maternal elevations of the sulfur-containing amino acid, homocysteine. Because extra-embryonic vascular growth is critical to maintaining a normal pregnancy, we examined the effects of homocysteine on vessel development by exposing avian embryos to exogenous homocysteine during critical periods of vascular growth. These experiments demonstrated that homocysteine significantly reduced survival and decreased angiogenesis in the extra-embryonic vasculature. Homocysteine was also found to reduce mRNA and protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a key molecule for vascular development. Moreover, in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells, homocysteine increased the synthesis of nitric oxide, an important regulatory molecule for VEGF. Inhibiting the homocysteine-induced up-regulation of nitric oxide restored normal VEGF expression and vascular development. These results suggest that homocysteine may impair the development of the extra-embryonic vasculature by reducing the expression of VEGF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly S Latacha
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 987878 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-7878, USA
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Santos-Guzmán J, Arnhold T, Nau H, Wagner C, Fahr SH, Mao GE, Caudill MA, Wang JC, Henning SM, Swendseid ME, Collins MD. Antagonism of Hypervitaminosis A-Induced Anterior Neural Tube Closure Defects with a Methyl-Donor Deficiency in Murine Whole-Embryo Culture. J Nutr 2003; 133:3561-70. [PMID: 14608074 DOI: 10.1093/jn/133.11.3561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The interaction of a dietary excess of vitamin A (retinoid) and deficiency of methyl-donor compounds was examined in murine early-organogenesis embryonic development. Female mice were fed one of six diets from the time of vaginal plug detection until gestational d 8.0, when embryos were removed and grown in whole embryo culture for 46 h, using serum from rats fed the same diet for 36 d as the culture medium. The six diets were either methyl-donor deficient (designated -FCM: devoid of folic acid, choline and supplemental L-methionine, but having methionine as a component of the protein portion of the diet) or methyl-donor sufficient (designated +FCM: containing folic acid, choline and L-methionine supplementation), in combination with one of three concentrations of retinyl palmitate (0.016, 0.416 or 4.016 g/kg diet). The high dose of retinyl palmitate induced a failure of anterior neuropore closure and hypoplasia of the visceral arches, both of which were significantly ameliorated by simultaneous administration of the methyl-donor-deficient diet. The primary acidic retinoid detected in the rat serum was 9,13-di-cis-retinoic acid, although we hypothesize that teratogenic retinoids were formed by embryonic biotransformation of the retinyl esters to toxic metabolites. Biochemical measurements of metabolites in relevant pathways were performed. We propose that the amelioration of these malformations may be used to determine biochemical pathways critical for retinoid teratogenesis.
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Goodman AB, Pardee AB. Evidence for defective retinoid transport and function in late onset Alzheimer's disease. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2003; 100:2901-5. [PMID: 12604774 PMCID: PMC151438 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0437937100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The hypothesis of this article is that late onset Alzheimer's disease (AD) is influenced by the availability in brain of retinoic acid (RA), the final product of the vitamin A (retinoid) metabolic cascade. Genetic, metabolic, and environmental/dietary evidence is cited supporting this hypothesis. Significant genetic linkages to AD are demonstrated for markers close to four of the six RA receptors, RA receptor G at 12q13, retinoid X receptor B at 6p21.3, retinoid X receptor G at 1q21, and RA receptor A at 17q21. Three of the four retinol-binding proteins at 3q23 and 10q23 and the RA-degrading cytochrome P450 enzymes at 10q23 and 2p13 map to AD linkages. Synthesis of the evidence supports retinoid hypofunction and impaired transport as contributing factors. These findings suggest testable experiments to determine whether increasing the availability of retinoid in brain, possibly through pharmacologic targeting of the RA receptors and the cytochrome P450 RA-inactivating enzymes, can prevent or decrease amyloid plaque formation.
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MESH Headings
- Age of Onset
- Aging
- Alleles
- Alzheimer Disease/genetics
- Alzheimer Disease/metabolism
- Brain/metabolism
- Chromosome Mapping
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 1
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 10
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 2
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 3
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 6
- Genetic Linkage
- Humans
- Protein Transport
- Retinoids/metabolism
- Tretinoin/metabolism
- Up-Regulation
- Vitamin A/metabolism
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Knott L, Hartridge T, Brown NL, Mansell JP, Sandy JR. Homocysteine oxidation and apoptosis: a potential cause of cleft palate. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 2003; 39:98-105. [PMID: 12892533 DOI: 10.1290/1543-706x(2003)039<0098:hoaaap>2.0.co;2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Cleft palate is the most common craniofacial anomaly. Affected individuals require extensive medical and psychosocial support. Although cleft palate has a complex and poorly understood etiology, low maternal folate is known to be a risk factor for craniofacial anomalies. Folate deficiency results in elevated homocysteine levels, which may disturb palatogenesis by several mechanisms, including oxidative stress and perturbation of matrix metabolism. We examined the effect of homocysteine-induced oxidative stress on human embryonic palatal mesenchyme (HEPM) cells and demonstrated that biologically relevant levels of homocysteine (20-100 microM) with copper (10 microM) resulted in dose-dependent apoptosis, which was prevented by addition of catalase but not superoxide dismutase. Incubation of murine palates in organ culture with homocysteine (100 micro) and CuSO(4) (10 microM) resulted in a decrease in palate fusion, which was not significant. Gelatin gel zymograms of HEPM cell-conditioned media and extracts of cultured murine palates, however, showed no change in the expression or activation of pro-matrix metalloproteinase-2 with homocysteine (20 microM-1 mM) with or without CuSO(4) (10 microM). We have demonstrated that biologically relevant levels of homocysteine in combination with copper can result in apoptosis as a result of oxidative stress; therefore, homocysteine has the potential to disrupt normal palate development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynda Knott
- Division of Child Dental Health, Dental School, University of Bristol, United Kingdom BS1 2LY.
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Guay F, Jacques Matte J, Girard CL, Palin MF, Giguère A, Laforest JP. Effects of folic acid and vitamin B12 supplements on folate and homocysteine metabolism in pigs during early pregnancy. Br J Nutr 2002; 88:253-63. [PMID: 12207835 DOI: 10.1079/bjn2002653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The present experiment aimed to determine the effects of supplements of folic acid (FA) alone or in combination with vitamin B12 on folate and homocysteine metabolism in gestating nulliparous Yorkshire-Landrace (YL) and multiparous Landrace (LD) occidental sows and multiparous Chinese Meishan-Landrace (ML) sows. LD sows were randomly assigned to two treatments: 0 or 15 mg FA/kg diet while YL and ML sows were assigned to three treatments: 0 mg FA/kg diet, 15 mg FA/kg or 15 mg vitamin B12/kg diet. Supplements were given from the oestrus preceding insemination up to slaughter on day 15 of gestation. At slaughter, a uterine flush was collected to determine uterine contents of homocysteine, methionine, tetrahydrofolate (THF), 5-methyl-THF, pyridoxal 5-phosphate (P5P) and vitamin B12. Blood samples were taken at first oestrus, at insemination and on days 5, 10 and 15 of gestation to determine plasma concentrations of homocysteine, methionine, THF, 5-methyl-THF, P5P, vitamin B12 and relative total folate-binding capacity. In occidental sows (YL and LD), the FA supplement tended to decrease uterine flush content of homocysteine (P=0.06) and concentrations of plasma homocysteine (P=0.09). Nulliparous YL sows had lower concentrations of plasma homocysteine, methionine, THF and 5-methyl-THF (P<0.05) than multiparous LD sows. Multiparous ML and LD sows had similar concentrations of plasma THF, 5-methyl-THF, methionine and vitamin B12, but ML sows had lower concentrations of plasma homocysteine (P<0.05). The vitamin B12 supplement increased concentrations of plasma vitamin B12 (P<0.05) both in multiparous ML and nulliparous YL sows, but had no effect on the composition of either uterine flush or plasma. The present results showed also that sows had a low vitamin B12 status (<200 pg/ml) and high circulating homocysteine levels (>15 microm) during the first 15 d of gestation. Furthermore, the vitamin B12 content in uterine secretions represented between 180 and 300 % of the total content in plasma. The low plasma concentrations of homocysteine in multiparous ML sows suggest a more efficient remethylation pathway which may not be dependent upon dietary supply of FA or vitamin B12. In nulliparous YL sows, low concentrations of both homocysteine and methionine suggest that the methionine requirement for protein deposition might have reduced the amount of methionine available for the methylation pathway. The results of the present experiment suggest that the reduction of uterine homocysteine may be an important aspect of the role of FA supplement on the uterine environment in occidental sows. The presence of high levels of vitamin B12 in uterine secretions merits further investigation in relation to embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frédéric Guay
- Department of Animal Sciences and Centre de Recherche en Biologie de la Reproduction, Laval University, Ste-Foy, Québec, Canada
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Tran P, Hiou-Tim F, Frosst P, Lussier-Cacan S, Bagley P, Selhub J, Bottiglieri T, Rozen R. The curly-tail (ct) mouse, an animal model of neural tube defects, displays altered homocysteine metabolism without folate responsiveness or a defect in Mthfr. Mol Genet Metab 2002; 76:297-304. [PMID: 12208134 DOI: 10.1016/s1096-7192(02)00108-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Maternal mild hyperhomocysteinemia is associated with increased risk for bearing children with neural tube defects (NTD). Folate intake corrects hyperhomocysteinemia and prevents up to 70% of NTD. The curly-tail (ct) mouse, an animal model for NTD, has been suggested to display features that closely resemble the human defect. We therefore investigated folate metabolism in ct mice. On control and folate-/choline-deficient diets, ct mice exhibited higher plasma homocysteine levels than control C57Bl/6 mice. This increase was associated with increased liver S-Adenosylhomocysteine and decreased S-adenosylmethionine:S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAM/SAH) ratios. Since the ct locus maps in close proximity to the gene for methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (Mthfr), a modifier of homocysteine levels in man, we also assayed Mthfr activity and sequenced the 5(') regulatory region; these experiments suggested that Mthfr is not defective in the ct strain. Finally, we examined the influence of dietary folate on NTD incidence in the ct strain, but did not identify significant differences among the four diets used in the study. Our work suggests that altered homocysteine metabolism may contribute to the pathogenetic mechanism of the ct defect, but, unlike human NTD, nutritional or genetic deficiencies in folate metabolism do not appear to play a significant direct role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Tran
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University-Montreal Children's Hospital Research Institute, 4060 St.Catherine St. West, Room 200, QC, Canada
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