Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to urolithiasis: a meta-regression and meta-analysis

Association of single nucleotide genetic polymorphisms of vitamin D receptor and calcium-sensitive receptor with calcium-containing kidney stones in Chinese Dai populations: a prospective multi-center study

PURPOSE

To evaluate the association between vitamin D receptor (VDRs) and calcium-sensitive receptor (CaSR) gene polymorphisms and calcium-containing kidney stones (CCKS) in Dai populations.

METHODS

A total of 160 CCKS patients and 87 healthy controls were included in this study. CCKS was confirmed using urological computed tomography (CT), plain abdominal radiograph, or surgical lithotomy. Stone samples obtained during surgery were analyzed using infrared spectroscopy. Venous blood and 24-h urine samples were collected and analyzed using Sanger sequencing and high-performance liquid chromatography, respectively. Genetic variants in the VDR gene (rs7975232, rs2228570, rs731236, and rs1544410) and CaSR gene (rs7652589, rs1801725, and rs1042636) were identified through sequence analysis.

RESULTS

Analysis of genotype and allele frequencies revealed that the rs7975232 polymorphism in the VDR gene and the rs7652589 allele in the CaSR gene were significantly associated with CCKS. Furthermore, patients carrying the AC and AA genotypes of rs7975232 showed a higher incidence of hypocitraturia compared to those with other genotypes (p < 0.05). The AA and GG genotypes of rs1042636 and the AA genotype of rs7652589 were significantly associated with hypercalciuria (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

CCKS in this study population may be closely related to hypocitraturia caused by the VDR locus rs7975232 polymorphism and hypercalciuria caused by the CaSR locus rs1042636 and rs7652589 polymorphism.

Genes polymorphism as risk factor of recurrent urolithiasis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Urolithiasis is one of the most prevalent diseases worldwide. Its prevalence is rising, both in developing and developed countries. It is known that genetic factors play big roles in the development of urolithiasis. One of the suspected factors is gene polymorphism. This study aims to find an accurate estimate of the association between genetic polymorphism and the risk of recurrent urolithiasis.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed on 12 studies from 3 databases that investigated gene polymorphism as an risk factor of urolithiasis. The review was done using Review Manager® version 5.3.

RESULTS

Insignificant heterogenicity was found in this study. Populations from Asia and the Middle East are more likely to experience recurrent urolithiasis. Additionally, variation in the VDR and urokinase genes, particularly in the Asian population, increases the risk of developing recurrent urolithiasis.

CONCLUSIONS

Gene polymorphisms have significant roles in the development of urolithiasis, especially in the Middle Eastern region.

Predictive value of single-nucleotide polymorphism signature for nephrolithiasis recurrence: a 5-year prospective study

Background

Genetic variations are linked to kidney stone formation. However, the association of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) and stone recurrence has not been well studied. This study aims to identify genetic variants associated with kidney stone recurrences and to construct a predictive nomogram model using SNPs and clinical features to predict the recurrence risk of kidney stones.

Methods

We genotyped 49 SNPs in 1001 patients who received surgical stone removal between Jan 1 and Dec 31 of 2012. All patients were confirmed stone-free by CT scan and then received follow-up at least 5 years. SNP associations with stone recurrence were analyzed by Cox proportion hazard model. A predictive nomogram model using SNPs and clinical features to predict the recurrence risk of kidney stones was developed by use of LASSO Cox regression.

Results

The recurrence rate at 3, 5, 7 years were 46.8%, 71.2%, and 78.4%, respectively. 5 SNPs were identified that had association with kidney stone recurrence risk. We used computer-generated random numbers to assign 500 of these patients to the training cohort and 501 patients to the validation cohort. A nomogram that combined the 14-SNPs-based classifier with the clinical risk factors was constructed. The areas under the curve (AUCs) at 3, 5 and 7 years of this nomogram was 0.645, 0.723, and 0.75 in training cohort, and was 0.631, 0.708, and 0.727 in validation cohort, respectively. Results show that the nomogram presented a higher predictive accuracy than those of the SNP classifier or clinical factors alone.

Conclusion

SNPs are significantly associated with kidney stone recurrence and should add prognostic value to the traditional clinical risk factors used to assess the kidney stone recurrence. A nomogram using clinical and genetic variables to predict kidney stone recurrence has revealed its potential in the future as an assessment tool during the follow-up of kidney stone patients.

Genetic Polymorphisms and Kidney Stones Around the Globe: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective: This study explores associations between recurrent kidney stones and genetic polymorphisms.

Methods: Meta-analysis of polymorphisms in renal stone cases versus control groups. Four electronic databases (PubMed, SCOPUS, EMBASE, and Web of Science) were searched up to 30 May 2021, using the keywords: “kidney stone” or “kidney calculi,” or “urolithiasis” or “nephrolithiasis” or “urinary calculi” and “genome” or “genetic” or “mutation” or “single nucleotide polymorphism.” Forrest plots, ORs, 95% CI, Chi-square (χ2)-test, and index of heterogeneity (I2) were calculated. Only studies with Newcastle–Ottawa scale (NOS) ≥ 6 were included for quality control, and Funnel, Begg’s, and Eager’s plots assessed publication bias. PROSPERO: CRD42022250427.

Results: Among 7,671 searched articles, 72 were included. Polymorphisms in VDR (OR: 1.20; 95% CI: 1.06–1.36), CASR (OR = 1.24; 95% CI: 1.01–1.52), Osteopontin (OR = 1.38; 95% CI: 1.09–1.74), and Urokinase genes (OR = 1.52; 95% CI: 1.02–2.28) showed a significant association with risk of urinary stone formation, while Klotho gene showed a protective effect (OR = 0.75; 95% CI: 0.57–0.99). The VDR gene polymorphism was frequent in Asians, whereas CASR polymorphism was frequent in European and North American populations.

Conclusion: Multifactorial nature of the stone formation, emphasizing the role of environmental factors, might explain contradictory results in the literature. While polymorphisms in VDR, CASR, Osteopontin, and Urokinase genes were associated with urinary stone formation, the Klotho gene showed a protective effect.

The correlation between promoter hypermethylation of VDR, CLDN, and CasR genes and recurrent stone formation

Objectives

Recurrent Kidney stone formation is a main medical problem imposing a significant burden on both healthcare and the economy worldwide. Environmental and genetic factors have been linked to a bigger risk of kidney stone formation. We aim to assess the role of methylation on recurrent stone formation in three target genes.

Methods

We aimed to check the association between promoter hypermethylation vitamin D receptor (VDR), calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR), and claudin 14 (CLDN14) genes in recurrent kidney stones. We enrolled 30 consecutive recurrent kidney stone formers (age 18–60 years) (cases) and 30 age and gender-matched controls.3. To identify promoter methylation, two target regions from each candidate gene were bisulfited after blood collection and DNA extraction. Methylation quantification was done through methylation-specific high resolution melting (MS-HRM).

Results

The mean age of the patients and controls (mean ± SD) was 49.58 ± 14.23 years and BMI 36.12 ± 2.72. The methylation status in all six target regions was meaningfully different between the stone-former group and controls when methylation was considered in three clusters of unmethylated, methylated, and hypermethylated. A higher effect in VDR and CLDN was observed compare to CasR (p-value < 0.001, and < 0.005 versus p-value < 0.256).

Conclusions

Methylation as an important epigenetic mechanism should be considered more in recurrent stone formations. Promoter hypermethylation of VRD and CLDN genes may have an essential role in recurrent kidney stones formations.

Combined effect of polyacrylic acid and vitamin E in preventing calcium oxalate crystal deposition in the kidneys of experimental hyperoxaluric rats

Our study explores the combined effect of polyacrylic acid and vitamin E as prophylactic and curative agent against ethylene glycol (EG) induced calcium oxalate stone formation in Wistar rats. Male Wistar rats (54) were divided into nine groups, including control. The experimental groups were equally segregated into two for preventive study (4) and curative study (4). Urolithiasis was induced with 0.75% (v/v) EG in drinking water. Polyacrylic acid (10 mg/kg) and vitamin E (300 IU/day) were supplemented from day 1 for preventive and day 30 for curative studies. Restoration of urinary lithogenic factors (calcium, oxalate, phosphate, citrate and magnesium) and renal function (urea and creatinine in serum) by intervening agents were accomplished compared to urolithic rats (P < .001). Abnormal localization and increased expression of Tamm-Horsfall Protein, osteopontin and transferrin were observed in the kidneys of urolithic rats (P < .001) from immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting analysis. Polyacrylic acid and vitamin E supplementation have regulated the expression of the urinary macromolecules. Pro-inflammatory cytokines in kidney were significantly reduced (P < .001) by the intervening agents compared to urolithic rats. Therefore, polyacrylic acid and vitamin E in combination could be a potential formulation for better management of urolithiasis.

Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) Gene Polymorphisms and Risk of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Several studies have noted that vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms are involved in the susceptibility to Coronary artery disease (CAD). Nonetheless, the results have been inconclusive. Here, we performed the most up-to-date analysis of the association between VDR gene polymorphisms and risk of CAD. We conducted a comprehensive systematic search in the major electronic database, including Scopus and PubMed to look up for relevant studies evaluating the association between the VDR gene FokI (rs2228570), TaqI (rs731236), BsmI (rs1544410), and ApaI (rs7975232) polymorphisms and susceptibility to CAD published before December 2019. The level of association between VDR gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to CAD in the polled analysis was calculated by odds ratio (OR) and the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). We found 14 articles containing 20,398 cases and 9371 controls. The analysis revealed that all genetic models in the FokI SNP were associated with increased risk of CAD. Furthermore, for the ApaI SNP, except recessive model, all other genetic models significantly increased the risk of CAD in the overall analysis. In addition, it was divulged that both FokI and ApaI SNPs were involved in increasing the risk of CAD in Asians and Europeans in a number of models. FokI and ApaI polymorphisms may confer a susceptibility genetic risk factor for development of CAD, particularly in the Asian population.

Vitamin D and Lung Cancer; Association, Prevention, and Treatment

Lung cancer is one of the common types of malignant disorders and the most prevalent cause of cancer-related mortality in the world. Although a wide range of approaches has been examined, strategies in prevention and treatment of lung cancer are still inadequate. Studies show that Vitamin D (VitD) is involved in various biological pathways and has been associated with the etiopathogenesis of several diseases, like cancers. In Vitro and In Vivo experiments have disclosed that VitD plays immunomodulatory and anti-tumor functions. Several lines of evidence have indicated that VitD is involved in the inflammatory settings of the lung. Epidemiological studies have reported that sufficient levels of VitD might be critical in the prevention of lung cancer. Polymorphisms in the genes encoding the different molecules involved in the signaling of VitD might affect the lung cancer risk as well as the quality and quantity of responses to different treatments. In this review article, we intended to clarify the implications of VitD in the normal biology and physiology of the lung and discuss diverse line of evidence about the possible role of VitD in the prevention or treatment of lung cancer.