Lack of evidence for the association of ornithine decarboxylase (+316 G>A), spermidine/spermine acetyl transferase (-1415 T>C) gene polymorphisms with calcium oxalate stone disease

Polyamines and polyamine-metabolizing enzymes in schizophrenia: Current knowledge and concepts of therapy

Polyamines play preeminent roles in a variety of cellular functions in the central nervous system and other organs. A large body of evidence suggests that the polyamine pathway is prominently involved in the etiology and pathology of schizophrenia. Alterations in the expression and activity of polyamine metabolizing enzymes, as well as changes in the levels of the individual polyamines, their precursors and derivatives, have been measured in schizophrenia and animal models of the disease. Additionally, neuroleptic treatment has been shown to influence polyamine concentrations in brain and blood of individuals with schizophrenia. Thus, the polyamine system may appear to be a promising target for neuropharmacological treatment of schizophrenia. However, for a number of practical reasons there is currently only limited hope for a polyamine-based schizophrenia therapy.

The Molecular Aspect of Nephrolithiasis Development

Urolithiasis is the third most common urological disease after urinary tract infections and prostate diseases, and it is characterised by an occurrence rate of about 15%, which continues to rise. The increase in the incidence of kidney stones observed in recent decades, is most likely caused by modifications in dietary habits (high content of protein, sodium and sugar diet) and lifestyle (reduced physical activity) in all industrialised countries. Moreover, men are more likely than women to be diagnosed with kidney stones. A growing body of evidence suggests that inflammation, oxidant-antioxidant imbalance, angiogenesis, purine metabolism and urea cycle disorders may play a crucial role in nephrolithiasis development. Patients with urolithiasis were characterised by an increased level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the products of lipid peroxidation, proinflammatory cytokines as well as proangiogenic factors, compared to controls. Furthermore, it has been shown that deficiency and disorders of enzymes involved in purine metabolism and the urea cycle might be causes of deposit formation. ROS generation suggests that the course of kidney stones might be additionally potentiated by inflammation, purine metabolism and the urea cycle. On the other hand, ROS overproduction may induce activation of angiogenesis, and thus, allows deposit aggregation.

Genetic polymorphisms as prognostic factors for recurrent kidney stones: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Genetic polymorphisms have been suggested as risk factors affecting the occurrence and recurrence of kidney stones, although findings regarding the latter remain inconclusive. We performed this systematic review and meta-analysis to clarify the associations between genetic polymorphisms and recurrent kidney stones. PubMed, SCOPUS, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases were searched through May 28^th, 2020 to identify eligible studies. The Quality in prognostic studies (QUIPS) tool was used to evaluate bias risk. Allelic frequencies and different inheritance models were assessed. All analyses were performed using Review manager 5.4. A total of 14 studies were included for meta-analysis, assessing urokinase (ApaL1) and vitamin D receptor (VDR) (ApaI, BsmI, FokI, and TaqI) gene polymorphisms. The ApaLI polymorphism demonstrated protective association in the recessive model [odds ratio (OR) 0.45, P < 0.01] albeit higher risk among Caucasians in the heterozygous model (OR 16.03, P < 0.01). The VDR-ApaI polymorphism showed protective association in the dominant model (OR 0.60, P < 0.01). Among Asians, the VDR-FokI polymorphism recessive model showed significant positive association (OR 1.70, P < 0.01) and the VDR-TaqI polymorphism heterozygous model exhibited protective association (OR 0.72, P < 0.01). The VDR-BsmI polymorphism was not significantly associated with recurrent kidney stones in any model. Urokinase-ApaLI (recessive model), VDR-ApaI (dominant model), and VDR-TaqI (heterozygous model) polymorphisms were associated with decreased recurrent kidney stone risk whereas urokinase-ApaLI (heterozygous model) and VDR-FokI polymorphisms were associated with increased risk among Caucasians and Asians, respectively. These findings will assist in identifying individuals at risk of kidney stone recurrence.