Lack of association between plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) gene 4G/5G polymorphism and osteoarthritis

Dehydroepiandrosterone and Experimental Osteoarthritis

Despite an increased understanding of the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA) and the availability of a number of drugs designed to ameliorate its symptoms, a successful disease-modifying therapy remains elusive. Recent lines of evidence suggest that dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a 19-carbon steroid hormone classified as an adrenal androgen, exerts a chondroprotective effect in OA patients, and it has been proven to be an effective DMOAD candidate that slows OA progression. However, the exact mechanisms underlying its anti-OA effect is largely unknown. This review summarizes emerging observations from studies of cell biology, preclinical animal studies, and preliminary clinical trials and describes the findings of investigations on this topic to develop an initial blueprint of the mechanisms by which DHEA slows OA progression. Presently, studies on DMOADs are increasing in importance but have met limited success. Encouragingly, the current data on DHEA are promising and may prove that DHEA-based treatment is efficacious for preventing and slowing human OA progression.

The association between development and progression of multinodular goiter and thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor gene D727E and P52T polymorphisms

AIM

This study has been performed on a Turkish population with multinodular goiter (MNG) to investigate the thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) gene D727E and P52T polymorphisms.

METHODS

DNA samples were isolated from 300 patients with MNG and 142 controls. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and agarose gel electrophoresis were used.

RESULTS

The D727E polymorphism G-allele frequency and the CG and GG genotypes were significantly higher in patients with MNG. However, there was no significant difference in the P52T polymorphism between patients and control subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

As a conclusion, the D727E polymorphism G allele may be related to MNG development in the studied population.

Relationship between plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) gene polymorphisms and osteoporosis in Turkish women

OBJECTIVE

The development of osteoporosis is associated with several risk factors, such as genetic structures that affect bone turnover and bone mass. The impact of genetic structures on osteoporosis is not known. Plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 regulates the bone matrix and bone balance. This study assessed the correlation between plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 gene 4G/5G polymorphisms and osteoporosis in a population of Turkish women.

METHODS

A total of 195 postmenopausal female patients who were diagnosed with osteoporosis (Group I) based on bone mineral density measurements via dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and 90 females with no osteoporosis (Group II) were included in this study. Correlations between PAI-1 gene 4G/5G polymorphisms and osteoporosis were investigated through the identification of PAI-1 gene 4G/5G polymorphism genotypes using the polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

No significant differences in the genotype and allele frequency of 4G/5G plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 polymorphisms were observed between the two groups, and both groups exhibited the most frequently observed 4G5G genotype.

CONCLUSION

No correlation between the development of osteoporosis in the female Turkish population and 4G/5G plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 gene polymorphisms was observed.