The Relationship between the Transforming Growth Factor β1 T29C Gene Polymorphism and Left Ventricular Geometry and Function in Hypertensive Subjects

Tirzepatide against obesity and insulin-resistance: pathophysiological aspects and clinical evidence

Obesity is a chronic, multifactorial disease in which accumulated excess body fat has a negative impact on health. Obesity continues to rise among the general population, resulting in an epidemic that shows no significant signs of decline. It is directly involved in development of cardiometabolic diseases, ischemic coronary heart disease peripheral arterial disease, heart failure, and arterial hypertension, producing global morbidity and mortality. Mainly, abdominal obesity represents a crucial factor for cardiovascular illness and also the most frequent component of metabolic syndrome. Recent evidence showed that Tirzepatide (TZP), a new drug including both Glucagon Like Peptide 1 (GLP-1) and Glucose-dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonism, is effective in subjects with type 2 diabetes (T2D), lowering body weight, fat mass and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) also in obese or overweight adults without T2D. This review discusses the pathophysiological mechanisms and clinical aspects of TZP in treating obesity.

Gender-Specific Differences in Concentrations of Biochemical Parameters in Persons over the Age of 90

The ageing process is a phenomenon leading to an emergence of a web of interrelated biological processes producing significant changes in the human body. The aim of the paper was to analyse gender-specific differences with regard to selected biochemical parameters in longevity. The study was conducted in Poland in 2017. The study population comprised of long-lived individuals, both living at home and staying at residential care homes. There were 90 people of both genders (69 women and 21 men) aged between 90 and 103 years (mean = 92.36; SD = 2.98). The biochemical markers of longevity in the studied patients were identified by assessing their pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory status in various metabolic aspects. The analysis of biochemical variables revealed numerous statistically significant differences, both in the study group as a whole and between the genders. The ageing process is extremely complex, but understanding it will allow for a real intervention in life extension. Research into the processes involved in ageing and longevity will enable a better understanding of the mechanisms responsible for them, and to enjoy those processes in good health.

Effects of Two Common Promoter Polymorphisms of Transforming Growth Factor-β1 on Breast Cancer Risks in Ahvaz, West South of Iran

BACKGROUND

Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) has a critical role in breast cancer initiation and progression.

OBJECTIVES

We have investigated the possible differences in two promoter polymorphisms (-509C/T and -800G/A) of TGF-β1 gene between breast cancer cases and controls.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 100 patients with confirmed breast cancer and 100 subjects without breast cancer was selected. Two promoter polymorphisms (-509C/T and -800G/A) of TGF-β1 gene were genotyped using PCR-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method.

RESULTS

The allele frequencies were 63% for C allele and 37% for T allele of SNP -509C/T and 66% for G allele and 34% for A allele of SNP -800G/A. Although no significant difference has observed between two groups, according to the genotype distribution, However, the TT genotype of -509 and AA genotype of -800 was significantly associated with breast cancer risk [odds ratio (OR) = 2.409; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.087 - 5.337, P = 0.030; and OR = 2.383; CI = 1.039 - 5.40, P = 0.040, respectively]. In addition, a multinomial logistic regression model shown, homozygous of -800 G/A (OR = 0.570; 95% CI = 0.362 - 0.896, P = 0.015); and HDL-C (OR = 0.935; 95% CI = 0.906 - 0.965, P < 0.001) were the selected variables associated with the presence of breast cancer. Haplotype analysis has shown no significant association between TGF-β1 haplotypes and breast cancer risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicated that among two promoter polymorphisms of the TGF-β1gene, -800G/A compared to -509C/T is more associated with breast cancer.

Association of transforming growth factor-β1 polymorphisms with the risk of diabetes mellitus

The association between transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) polymorphisms with the risk of diabetes mellitus (DM) remains elusive. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between TGF-β1 polymorphisms and DM risk. We searched the association studies according to a predefined criteria using electronic databases. The strength of association between TGF-β1 codon 10/25 polymorphisms and the risk of DM was evaluated by odds ratio (OR) with the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). Six case-control studies were identified for the analysis of the association between TGF-β1 codon 10/25 polymorphism and the risk of DM. CC genotype at the codon 10 polymorphism was associated with the risk of type 2 DM (T2DM) (P = 0.026, OR = 1.397, 95% CI = 1.041-1.874). No marked association was observed between codon 25 polymorphism and the risk of DM. No evidence of marked publication bias was observed. CC genotype at the TGF-β1 codon 10 site may be an indicator for the risk of T2DM. However, further larger studies should be performed in the future.

NT pro BNP plasma level and atrial volume are linked to the severity of liver cirrhosis

Background and Aims

Plasma levels of NT-pro-BNP, a natriuretic peptide precursor, are raised in the presence of fluid retention of cardiac origin and can be used as markers of cardiac dysfunction. Recent studies showed high levels of NT pro BNP in patients with cirrhosis. We assessed NT pro-BNP and other parameters of cardiac dysfunction in patients with cirrhosis, with or without ascites, in order to determine whether the behaviour of NT pro BNP is linked to the stage of liver disease or to secondary cardiac dysfunction.

Methods

Fifty eight consecutive hospitalized patients mostly with viral or NAFLD-related cirrhosis were studied. All underwent abdominal ultrasound and upper GI endoscopy. Cardiac morpho-functional changes were evaluated by echocardiography and NT-pro-BNP plasma levels determined upon admission. Twenty-eight hypertensive patients, without evidence of liver disease served as controls.

Results

Fifty eight cirrhotic patients (72% men) with a median age of 62 years (11% with mild arterial hypertension and 31% with type 2 diabetes) had a normal renal function (mean creatinine 0.9 mg/dl, range 0.7–1.06). As compared to controls, cirrhotic patients had higher NT pro-BNP plasma levels (365.2±365.2 vs 70.8±70.6 pg/ml; p<0.001). Left atrial volume (LAV) (61.8±26.3 vs 43.5±14.1 ml; p = 0.001), and left ventricular ejection fraction (62.7±6.9 vs. 65.5±4%,; p = 0.05) were also altered in cirrhotic patients that in controls. Patients with F2-F3 oesophageal varices as compared to F0/F1, showed higher e' velocity (0.91±0.23 vs 0.66±0.19 m/s, p<0.001), and accordingly a higher E/A ratio (1.21±0.46 vs 0.89±0.33 m/s., p = 0.006).

Conclusion

NT-pro-BNP plasma levels are increased proportionally to the stage of chronic liver disease. Advanced cirrhosis and high NT-pro-BNP levels are significantly associated to increased LAV and to signs of cardiac diastolic dysfunction. NT pro-BNP levels could hence be an useful prognostic indicators of early decompensation of cirrhosis.

Association of 29C>T polymorphism in the transforming growth factor-β1 gene with lean body mass in community-dwelling Japanese population

AIM

Sarcopenia is the significant degenerative loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength associated with aging, and it is one of the components of frailty. We previously reported an association between the 29C>T polymorphism in the transforming growth factor-β1 gene (rs1800470) and the prevalence of vertebral fractures in subjects with postmenopausal osteoporosis. The association was not attributable to bone mineral density, which suggests that polymorphism influences some aspects of bone quality that affects strength and/or frailty rather than bone strength itself. Thus, we examined the relationship between genetic polymorphism and lean body mass in a Japanese population.

METHODS

A total of 479 adults comprising 143 men and 336 women, age 23 to 85 years, participated in the present study. Fat-free mass was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, and the relative skeletal muscle index was calculated as the ratio of appendicular (sum of arms and legs) fat-free mass to the square of height.

RESULTS

Total, leg, and appendicular fat-free mass as well as the relative skeletal muscle index were significantly lower in male subjects with CT/TT genotypes compared to those with CC genotype. Female subjects did not show any genotype-dependent differences when analyzed as a group, but when those without menstruation (postmenopausal women) were analyzed, arm fat-free mass was significantly lower in the CT/TT genotypes than in the CC genotype.

CONCLUSIONS

T allele of the 29C>T polymorphism in the transforming growth factor-β1 gene might be a risk factor of sarcopenia in a Japanese population.