Prevalence of angiotensin-converting enzyme, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, Factor V Leiden, prothrombin and apolipoprotein E gene polymorphisms in Morocco

Association of factor V Leiden R506Q, FXIIIVal34Leu, and MTHFR C677T polymorphisms with acute myocardial infarction

Background

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a leading cause of death and morbidity around the world. Although the association between thrombophilia and AMI is well-established, controversial data are present on the association between thrombophilic polymorphisms and AMI. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of three thrombophilic polymorphisms including factor V Leiden (FVL), MTHFRC677T (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase), and Coagulation factor XIIIVal34Leu with AMI in East of Iran.

Result

There were no statistically significant differences between the patients and control groups in terms of the distributions of allelic and genotypic frequencies of FVL and FXIIIVal34Leu polymorphisms (P-value > 0.05). Subjects who carried CT genotype of MTHFR C677T polymorphism were at a 2.03-fold higher risk for AMI (P-value: 0.02, OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.07–2.75). Furthermore, patients with MTHFR 677CT (P-value < 0.001, β = - 0.90, 95% CI − 1.33, − 047) or 677CC (P-value < 0.001, β = - 1.04, 95% CI − 1.47, − 0.61) genotypes showed significantly Lower creatinine levels compared with patients having the MTHFR 677TT. No association was observed between the other remaining polymorphisms and AMI (P-value > 0.05).

Conclusion

Our findings showed that MTHFRC677T polymorphism could contribute to AMI susceptibility and increase creatinine levels in east Iran population. This was the first study to examine the association of these three polymorphisms with AMI in east Iran.

Genetic Regulatory Networks of Apolipoproteins and Associated Medical Risks

Apolipoproteins (APO proteins) are the lipoprotein family proteins that play key roles in transporting lipoproteins all over the body. There are nearly more than twenty members reported in the APO protein family, among which the A, B, C, E, and L play major roles in contributing genetic risks to several disorders. Among these genetic risks, the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), involving the variation of single nucleotide base pairs, and their contributing polymorphisms play crucial roles in the apolipoprotein family and its concordant disease heterogeneity that have predominantly recurred through the years. In this review, we have contributed a handful of information on such genetic polymorphisms that include APOE, ApoA1/B ratio, and A1/C3/A4/A5 gene cluster-based population genetic studies carried throughout the world, to elaborately discuss the effects of various genetic polymorphisms in imparting various medical conditions, such as obesity, cardiovascular, stroke, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, vascular complications, and other associated risks.

G2691A and C2491T mutations of factor V gene and pre-disposition to myocardial infarction in Morocco

Coagulation factor Leiden mutation has been described as a common genetic risk factor for venous thrombosis; however, this mutation was reported to be practically absent in an African population. Recently, a novel non-sense mutation in the gene encoding factor V has been associated with the risk of occurrence of cardio-cerebrovascular diseases such as stroke and venous thrombosis. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the factor V Leiden (FVL) and C2491T non-sense mutations are associated with the risk of developing myocardial infarction. Genotyping of FVL and C2491T FV was performed using the polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism method on a sample of 100 patients with myocardial infarction as well as 211 controls. In the study population, the frequency of the FVL mutation was practically zero. However, with regard to the C2491T mutation, the TT genotype was associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction [odds ratio (OR)=3.16, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.29-7.71, P=0.03]. A significant association between the C2491T FV mutation and the risk of myocardial infarction was identified using recessive (OR=2.74, 95% CI: 1.14-6.58, P=0.04), dominant (OR=1.85, 95% CI: 1.13-3.04, P=0.02) and additive (OR=1.88, 95% CI: 1.25-2.80, P=0.004) models. Furthermore, a positive correlation was found between the presence of the C2491T FV mutation and hypertension (P=0.02), which is associated with myocardial infarction. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggested that the C2491T non-sense mutation of the FV gene may be a risk factor for myocardial infarction in a Moroccan population.

Genetic Risk Factors of Venous Thromboembolism in the East Algerian Population

Many genetic risk factors have been identified for causing venous thromboembolism (VTE). Most of them affect the function of natural anticoagulant pathways, particularly the protein C system, although recent studies suggest a role of components of the hematopoietic pathway in the etiology of venous thrombosis. In this case–control study, we aimed to determine the frequency of prothrombin G20210A and factor V Leiden (FVL) G1691A polymorphisms and protein C, protein S, and antithrombin III deficiencies in the East Algerian population and to investigate whether these genetic factors are associated with VTE. On the other hand, our study tends to evaluate the status of JAK2V617F and calreticulin (CALR) mutations among these cases. The participants consisted of 121 cases with VTE and 146 healthy controls. Polymorphisms of FVL G1691A and prothrombin G20210A were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) restriction fragment length polymorphism. JAK2-V617F and calreticulin mutations were analyzed by quantitative PCR and PCR followed by capillary electrophoresis sequencing, respectively. Protein C, protein S, and antithrombin levels were determined and then hereditary deficiencies were identified. Of all cases and controls, none was a carrier of the antithrombin III deficiency, prothrombin gene G20210A, and CALR mutations. Only 1 case reported having a positive JAK2 mutation (mutant allele burden was 15%). The FVL mutation (GA/AA) was found in 14 (11.6%) cases and 2 (1.4%) controls and it was significantly different between both the groups ( P = .001). Deficiencies of protein S and protein C were detected in 17 (18.8%) cases. The univariate analysis resulted in a significant impact of FVL (odds ratio [OR] = 9.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.1-42.3; P = .003) and of protein S deficiency (OR = 16.9, 95% CI =2.1-132.8, P = .007) on the VTE status. Both factors stayed significant after adjustment for sex and age. The OR of the protein C deficiency was slightly elevated (OR = 6.4, 95% CI = 0.7-55.5), but it did not reach the level of statistical significance ( P = .091), and it was therefore not considered as a risk factor. In conclusion, coagulant factor V gene G1691A mutation and protein S deficiency constitute important genetic risk factors in patients with VTE in Eastern Algeria. The somatic mutation of JAK2 V617F and CALR mutations are less frequent causes of VTE, thus routine testing for these mutations is not recommended.

Allele frequency distribution of 1691G >A F5 (which confers Factor V Leiden) across Europe, including Slavic populations

The allele 1691A F5, conferring Factor V Leiden, is a common risk factor in venous thromboembolism. The frequency distribution for this allele in Western Europe has been well documented; but here data from Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe has been included. In order to assess the significance of the collated data, a chi-squared test was applied, and Tukey tests and z-tests with Bonferroni correction were compared. Results: A distribution with a North-Southeast band of high frequency of the 1691A F5 allele was discovered with a pocket including some Southern Slavic populations with low frequency. European countries/regions can be arbitrarily delimited into low (group 1, <2.8 %, mean 1.9 % 1691A F5 allele) or high (group 2, ≥2.8 %, mean 4.0 %) frequency groups, with many significant differences between groups, but only one intra-group difference (the Tukey test is suggested to be superior to the z-tests). Conclusion: In Europe a North-Southeast band of 1691A F5 high frequency has been found, clarified by inclusion of data from Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe, which surrounds a pocket of low frequency in the Balkans which could possibly be explained by Slavic migration. There seem to be no indications of variation in environmental selection due to geographical location.

Frequency of APOE, MTHFR and ACE polymorphisms in the Zambian population

Background

Polymorphisms within the apolipoprotein-E (APOE), Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and Angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) genes has been associated with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disorders, Alzheimer’s disease and other complex diseases in various populations. The aim of the study was to analyze the allelic and genotypic frequencies of APOE, MTHFR C677T and ACE I/D gene polymorphisms in the Zambian population.

Results

The allele frequencies of APOE polymorphism in the Zambian populations were 13.8%, 59.5% and 26.7% for the ε2, ε3 and ε4 alleles respectively. MTHFR C677T and ACE I/D allele frequencies were 8.6% and 13.8% for the T and D minor alleles respectively. The ε2ε2 genotype and TT genotype were absent in the Zambian population. The genetic distances between Zambian and other African and non-African major populations revealed an independent variability of these polymorphisms.

Conclusion

We found that the APOE ε3 allele and the I allele of the ACE were significantly high in our study population while there were low frequencies observed for the MTHFR 677 T and ACE D alleles. Our analysis of the APOE, MTHFR and ACE polymorphisms may provide valuable insight into the understanding of the disease risk in the Zambian population.

First study of the C2491t nonsense mutation frequency in moroccan healthy population

The mutation FV Leiden (G1691A) is the most common mutation worldwide with a variable allelic frequency between countries. More frequent in the European and Caucasian populations and rare or absent in African native population, the FVL was studied in the Moroccan population (They-They et al. Ann Hum Biol 37(6):767-777, 2010) and is totally absent as reported previously by (Mathonnet et al. Thromb Haemost 88(6):1073-1074, 2002). Here, another mutation in FV (Q773Term) was detected in a Moroccan patient, which took our interest for this study and establishes the first epidemiological database for future associated studies concerning neurovascular diseases.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T variant in Moroccan patients with inflammatory bowel disease

BACKGROUND

The association of genetic polymorphisms related to metabolism of homocysteine and folate with inflammatory bowel disease has been evidenced. Several studies have identified genetic variants of MTHFR as significant susceptibility loci for Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). The C677T genetic polymorphism in the MTHFR gene is found to be associated with a thermolabile variant enzyme that shows a reduced activity. Therefore, we investigated whether the C677T variant confers genetic susceptibility to CD or UC and evaluated the genotype-phenotype associations in the Moroccan population.

METHODS

The present study included 96 inflammatory bowel disease patients (68 patients with CD and 28 with UC) and 182 healthy controls. DNA samples were genotyped for the MTHFR (C677T) mutation by the PCR-RFLP method. Statistical analyzes were performed using MedCalc software, Chi square test and Fisher test.

RESULTS

The respective odds ratio for CD, UC and control group were, 1.55 (CI 95%: 0.53-4.53, P=0.52); 0.50 (CI 95%: 0.06-4.15, P=0.52) and 0.50 (CI 95%: 0.06-4.15, P=0.52). Thus, no statistically significant association with the disease was observed in frequency of the TT variant in comparison to healthy controls. Stratification of IBD patients on the basis of CD or UC showed that individuals carrying at least one T allele are not protected against Crohn's disease. Furthermore, clinical features of the disease did not show any significant association.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the present study indicates that the genetic risk for IBD is not modulated by MTHFR C677T polymorphism in Moroccan population.

Prevalence of 1691G>A FV mutation in females from Bosnia and Herzegovina--a preliminary report

Factor V is the liver-synthesized multidomain glycoprotein encoded by a gene localised on chromosome 1q23. The point mutation 1691G>A in this gene results in formation of an altered protein of V Factor resistant to activated protein C (APC) cleavage. This mutation alone is the most frequent cause of inborn thrombophilia and the most widely acknowledged genetic risk factor for venous thrombosis in a Caucasian population. This study was designed to provide the first estimate of the frequency of the allele 1691A FV in the Bosnian female population. The 1691G>A FV mutation was examined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism, in a group of 67 women, mean age of 58.6 years with no history of cardiovascular incident. Our findings revealed an absence of the mutated allele 1691A FV in the studied group. This is the first report on the 1691G>A FV mutation in a population from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Further research is needed to establish prevalence of the mutated allele in the population from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Prevalence of 1691G>A FV mutation in Poland compared with that in other Central, Eastern and South-Eastern European countries

The 1691G>A FV variant has been described as a common genetic risk factor in venous thromboembolism. The purpose of this study was to provide a further frequency value for 1691G>A FV in Poland and to collate summary data from Central (Poland, Czech, Slovakia), Eastern (Russia, Belarus, Ukraine) and South-Eastern (Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Bulgaria) European countries. For this purpose in 2007 the 1691G>A FV variant was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism from DNA collected in 2005-2006. We studied 650 subjects: 400 newborns and 250 older individuals (mean age 46.1 y) from Poland and compared results with reports from other countries, as well as with the frequency trend of 845G>A HFE across South-Eastern European countries using centroid cities. From our 1691G>A FV study we identified 626 GG homozygotes, 23 GA heterozygotes, and 1 AA homozygote (n = 650), giving an A allele frequency of 1.9%, and a summed frequency value for Poland of 2.0% (n = 1588); the frequency in Central European countries was 3.9% (n = 4559), mostly due to the high value in the Czech Republic: 5.1% (n = 2819); the South-Eastern European countries had 2.5% (n = 2410). Among the Eastern European countries the 1691G>A FV allele frequency was 1.9% (n=791), between the South-Eastern and Eastern European countries there was no significant difference (p=0.17). We confirm that the 1691G>A FV allele frequency in Poland, as well as other countries compared, is significantly lower than that in Czech.

Diet, genetics, and disease: a focus on the middle East and north Africa region

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region suffers a drastic change from a traditional diet to an industrialized diet. This has led to an unparalleled increase in the prevalence of chronic diseases. This review discusses the role of nutritional genomics, or the dietary signature, in these dietary and disease changes in the MENA. The diet-genetics-disease relation is discussed in detail. Selected disease categories in the MENA are discussed starting with a review of their epidemiology in the different MENA countries, followed by an examination of the known genetic factors that have been reported in the disease discussed, whether inside or outside the MENA. Several diet-genetics-disease relationships in the MENA may be contributing to the increased prevalence of civilization disorders of metabolism and micronutrient deficiencies. Future research in the field of nutritional genomics in the MENA is needed to better define these relationships.

Epidemiology of Prothrombin G20210A Mutation in the Mediterranean Region

There are many genetic and acquired risk factors that are known to cause venous thromboembolic disorders (VTE). One of these is the Prothrombin G20210A mutation, which has been identified in 1996. Prothrombin G20210A mutation causes higher levels of the clotting factor prothrombin in the blood of carriers, which creates a higher tendency towards blood clotting (hypercoagulability), and therefore the carriers become at higher risk of developing VTE. High prevalence of Prothrombin G20210A mutation was reported in Caucasian populations, but the prevalence was almost absent in non-Caucasians. That was most obvious in countries of South Europe and the Mediterranean region. This review article discusses Prothrombin G20210A mutation, how it causes VTE, the origin of the mutation, and its distribution worldwide with special concentration on the Mediterranean area.

Epidemiology of activated protein C resistance and factor v leiden mutation in the mediterranean region

Venous thromboembolic disorders (VTE) are serious disorders with high morbidity and mortality rates. Many genetic and acquired risk factors were identified to cause VTE. The most common genetic risk factor is Factor V Leiden mutation (FVL). FVL was found in high percentage of populations of Caucasian origin but was almost absent in non-Caucasians. It was also reported in populations living in North Africa and the Middle East. This review article briefly explains FVL and how it causes VTE, the distribution of FVL worldwide, and then it elaborates on the epidemiology of FVL in the Mediterranean Region and how this brought speculations that FVL might have originated in the Eastern Mediterranean area.