Polymorphism in Genes Encoding Adaptor Proteins ST13 and STIP1 and the Risk of Ischemic Stroke: a Pilot Study

Adaptor proteins stress induced phosphoprotein 1 (STIP1) and ST13 Hsp70 interacting protein (ST13) may play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke through controlling protein folding, neuronal survival, and regulation of HSP70/HSP90. The present pilot study investigated whether tagSNPs in genes encoding ST13 (rs138335, rs138344, rs7290793, and rs138344) and STIP1 (rs4980524) are associated with ischemic stroke. DNA samples from 721 ischemic stroke patients and 471 healthy controls were genotyped using the MassArray-4. Our research revealed a relationship between rs138344 ST13 and the risk of ischemic stroke, which was seen only in females (risk allele G; OR=1.34, 95%CI=1.07-1.69; p=0.01). The haplotype rs138335G-rs138344C-rs7290793C ST13 was linked with lower risk of ischemic stroke in females: OR=0.42; 95%CI=0.26-0.68; p=0.0005. Thus, ST13 represents a novel genetic marker for ischemic stroke.

Polymorphisms of the NCF4 Gene Increase the Risk of Chronic Heart Failure in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

We showed for the first time that polymorphisms rs2075938 and rs2075938 of the NCF4 gene are associated with the risk of chronic heart failure in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (n=1310). In particular, haplotypes ATGTCTAT (OR=1.74, 95%CI=1.23-2.47; p=0.0017) and ATATTCAC (OR=2.83, 95%CI=1.33-6.03; p=0.0072) of NCF4 increase the risk of chronic heart failure in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. The results show that NADPH oxidase subunit NCF4 is involved in the molecular mechanisms of myocardial damage in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The Protective Effect of Polymorphisms rs2681472 and rs17249754 of the ATP2B1 Gene Against Coronary Artery Disease and Hypertension is Abolished by Tobacco Smoking

Aim    To study the relationship of single nucleotide polymorphisms rs2681472 and rs17249754 in the ATP2B1 gene with risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD) and arterial hypertension (AH) among residents of Central Russia and to evaluate the trigger role of smoking as a risk factor for development of IHD and AH in carriers of ATP2B1 gene polymorphic variants.Material and methods    The study included DNA samples from 1960 residents of Central Russia of Slavic origin. Among them, there were 1261 patients with cardiovascular diseases and 699 healthy persons. The vast majority of patients had both IHD and AH. Genotyping was performed using the iPLEX technique on a MassARRAY-4 genomic mass-spectrometer. The relationship of ATP2B1 alleles, genotypes, and haplotypes with the risk of diseases was calculated by logistic regression analysis with adjustments for sex and age.Results    Carriage of AG and GG (rs2681472) genotypes and GA (rs17249754) genotype was associated with a reduced risk of both IHD (p=0.0057 and p=0.022 for rs2681472 and rs17249754, respectively) and AH (p=0.016 and p=0.036, respectively). Rare rs2681472G-rs17249754G and rs2681472A-rs17249754A haplotypes were associated with a reduced risk of IHD (odds ratio, OR, 0.22; 95 % CI: 0.11-0.46, p=0.0001) and AH (OR, 0.22; 95 % CI: 0.10-0.47, p=0.0001). Analysis of the groups stratified by the smoking status showed that in smokers, the studied polymorphic variants did not have a protective action with respect of either IHD or AH. However, in non-smokers, the genotypes AG and GG rs2681472 (OR, 0.62; 95 % CI: 0.47-0.80, p=0.0004) and GA rs17249754 (OR, 0.61; 95 % CI: 0.47-0.81, p=0.0004) were associated with a reduced risk of IHD and AH (OR, 0.63; 95 % CI: 0.48-0.83, p=0.0004 for rs2681472; OR, 0.63; 95 % CI: 0.48-0.83, p=0.001 for rs17249754), as well as the carriage of the minor alleles rs2681472‑G and rs17249754‑A.Conclusion    It was shown for the first time that the polymorphic variants rs17249754 and rs2681472 of the ATP2B1 gene are associated with a reduced risk for IHD and AH only in non-smokers.

Polymorphism rs1046495 of the GFER Gene as a New Genetic Marker of Preposition to Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

The study involving 2830 subjects (1444 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and 1386 healthy controls) an association of the rs1046495 polymorphism of the GFER gene encoding FADdependent sulfhydryl oxidase with low risk of the disease in non-obese patients (OR=0.76, 95%CI 0.57-0.99, p=0.029). The protective effect of the polymorphic gene variant remained significant in individuals who consumed fresh vegetables and fruits (p=0.014), proteins (p=0.0017), and did not consume carbohydrate- and fat-reach food (p=0.0047). The association of the minor allele rs1046495-C with type 2 diabetes mellitus can be explained by its more pronounced effect on the expression of the GFER enzyme that through glutathionation maintains the ROS level for optimal functioning of complexes III and IV of the electron transport chain and promotes the formation of disulfide bonds in the CHCHD4 chaperone molecule. Impaired activity of this molecule underlies mitochondrial dysfunction, one of the key pathological changes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

[Polymorphic locus rs1061624 of the ТNFR2 gene is associated with the development of arterial hypertension in males]

Aim To study the involvement of cytokine polymorphous loci in development of arterial hypertension (AH) in men from the Central Black Earth region of Russia.Materials and methods 821 men were evaluated, including 564 patients with AH and 257 individuals of the control group. Analysis of 8 cytokine mononucleotide polymorphisms (MNP) was performed using the real-time polymerase chain reaction with TagMan probes. Statistical analysis was performed with the STATISTICA (v.10.0) and PLINK (v.1.06) software. The regulatory potential of MNP was analyzed with the HaploReg (v.4.1) service (http://archive.broadinstitute.org).Results The rs1061624 ТNFR2 polymorphous locus was associated with development of AH in men in recessive (odd ratio (OR), 0.33; 95 % confidence interval (CI): 0.18-0.61, рperm=0.0004) and additive (OR, 0.50, 95 % CI: 0.34-0.74, рperm=0.0006) genetic models and exerted a protective effect in development of AH. The rs1061624 MNP of the ТNFR2 gene has a regulatory significance; it is located in the DNA sites hypersensitive to the action of DNAase 1 and in binding sites for transcriptional factors and histones that mark enhancers and promoters in different organs and tissues.Conclusion The rs1061624 ТNFR2 gene polymorphism is involved in the development of AH in men of the Central Black Earth region of Russia.

The Role of Phosphatidylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (PEMT) Gene rs12449964 Polymorphism in the Development of Acute Pancreatitis and its Complications

Background. Acute pancreatitis is considered to be an important issue in modern medicine. The phosphatidylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase enzyme plays a significant role in the regulation of lipid metabolism by catalyzing the process of methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine to phosphatidylcholine. These lipids are key components of mitochondrial and cell membranes, providing their fluid and plastic properties and participating in the transport of fats, fatty acids and cholesterol. Along with its function in the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine, the methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine promotes the turnover of S-adenosylmethionine for the synthesis of cysteine and glutathione through transulphurisation. PEMT is a gene encoding the phosphatidylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase enzyme.

Aim. To determine the role of PEMT C/T rs12449964 polymorphism in the risk of developing acute pancreatitis and its complications among Russian residents in Central Russia.

Materials and methods. Whole blood samples were collected from 502 unrelated patients with acute non-biliary pancreatitis (97 women and 405 men) of Russian nationality who had been admitted to the surgical departments of the city of Kursk from 2015 to 2018, as well as from 513 unrelated individuals of Russian nationality without gastrointestinal diseases (101 women and 412 men). The average age of patients and healthy individuals was 48.9 ± 13.1 and 47.89 ± 12.1 years, respectively. Genomic DNA was isolated by a standard phenol-chloroform extraction method. Genotyping of rs12449964 polymorphism was performed using real-time PCR by allelic discrimination using a CFX96 Bio-Rad Laboratories amplifier (USA) with TaqMan probes and commercial TaqMan SNP Genotyping Assays reagents purchased from Applied Biosystems (USA).

Results. The study has shown that the frequency of the C allele and the C/C PEMT C/T rs12449964 genotype was higher in the group of patients with acute pancreatitis, while the C/T genotype was predominant in the control group. C/T — T/T genotypes demonstrated a protective effect on the development of infected pancreatic necrosis, purulent necrotic peripancreatitis and severe acute pancreatitis.

Conclusions. The disruption of phosphatidylethanolamine methylation processes increases the sensitivity of cells to oxidative stress, which can lead to the development of acute pancreatitis.

[The role of stress factors and genetic predisposition in the development of stroke in patients with essential hypertension]

To study the interaction of polymorphic markers of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and chronic stress in the development of stroke associated with hypertension. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 830 patients, including 303 patients with ischemic stroke associated with essential hypertension (EH) and 527 patients with EH without stroke, were examined. The study of metalloproteinases SNP was carried out using real-time PCR. The functional significance and influence of polymorphic loci on gene expression was studied using of HaploReg (v4.1) (http://archive.broadinstitute.org) and GTEx-portal (http://www.gtexportal.org). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: An association of the genotype GG (rs11568818) of MMP7 with a high risk of stroke in patients exposed to regular stress (OR=1.71) was observed. It was found that allele 5A and genotype 5A/5A (rs3025058) of MMP3 had a protective effect on the development of stroke in patients without regular stress in the anamnesis (OR=0.73 and OR=0.60, respectively). Those SNPs are localized in the region of histone proteins H3K4me1 and H3K4me3, in the region of hypersensitivity to DNase-1, in the region of binding of regulatory proteins and transcription factors. The polymorphic locus rs11568818 is associated with the expression level of MMP7.

Study of associations of polymorphism of matrix metalloproteinases genes with the development of arterial hypertension in men

The aim of research. To study the association of polymorphic loci of matrix metalloproteinases with the development of essential hypertension (EH) in men of the Central Chernozem Region of Russia. Materials and methods. A study of 564 men with EH and 257 control men was performed. Analysis of the polymorphic loci of metalloproteinases rs11568818 MMР7, rs1320632 MMР8, rs11225395 MMР8, rs1799750 MMР1, rs3025058 MMР3 was performed using real-time PCR. The study of associations of SNPs and their haplotypes with the development of arterial hypertension was carried out using logistic regression analysis in the PLINK software (v. 2.050). The regulatory potential of polymorphic loci was analyzed in the HaploReg software (v. 4.1) (http://archive.broadinstitute.org). The effect of SNP on gene expression was studied using the data of the Genotype-Tissue Expression project (http://www.gtexportal.org/). Results. Haplotype including rs11568818 MMP7, rs1320632 MMP8, rs11225395 MMP8 and rs1799750 MMP1 associated with a high risk of disease in men (OR=2,58, pperm=0,04). These polymorphisms located in region of promoter and enhancer histone marks and in the region of hypersensitivity to DNAse-1. They located in sites of proteins bound (TBP, CJUN, CFOS and GATA2) and they associated with the level of gene expression ММР7, ММР27 and RP11-817J15.3 (in peripheral blood, skeletal muscles, nervous tissue and other). Сonclusion. Haplotype G-A-C-1G for polymorphisms rs11568818 MMP7, rs1320632 MMP8, rs11225395 MMP8, rs1799750 MMP1 are associated with the development of essential hypertension in men in the Central Chernozem Region of Russia.

[Studying the association between genetic polymorphism of growth factors and the development of primary open-angle glaucoma]

Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a multifactorial disease, etiopathogenesis of which largely depends on growth factors. Possessing a variety of medical and biological effects, these cytokines may influence the development and progression of POAG.

AIM

to reveal the role of genetic polymorphisms of growth factors in predisposition to developing POAG that is refractory to local hypotensive therapy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The object of the study were 162 patients with stage II-III POAG, in whom local hypotensive therapy was inefficient, 90 patients with stage II-III POAG well controlled on local hypotensive therapy, and 191 controls. The material for the study was venous blood taken from the cubital vein of a proband. Isolation of genomic DNA was performed by phenol-chloroform extraction. Analysis of genetic polymorphisms of growth factors was performed through allelic discrimination. For that, synthesis of DNA was carried out via polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

RESULTS

It is found that the T IGFR-1 genetic variant (OR=1.34) and a combination of the C VEGF-A and T IGFR-1 genetic variants (OR=1.90) are risk factors of developing POAG that is refractory to local hypotensive therapy. A statistical model for predicting such a risk has been proposed that includes: VEGF-A с.-958C>T genetic marker (rs 833,061), age, concomitant non-inflammatory ocular diseases, microvascular changes in the conjunctiva, the degree of pigmentation of the angle of the anterior chamber, and pseudoexfoliative syndrome. Recognition accuracy of the model is 90.42%.

CONCLUSION

The T IGFR-1 genetic variant and a combination of the C VEGF-A and T IGFR-1 genetic variants increase the risk of developing POAG that is refractory to local hypotensive therapy.

[Association of the -844G>A polymorphism in the catalase gene with the increased risk of essential hypertension in smokers]

AIM

To investigate whether the functionally relevant -844G>A promotor polymorphism in the catalase (CAT) gene is associated with the development of essential hypertension (EH).

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

The investigation enrolled 2,339 unrelated ethnic Russian people, including 1,269 EH patients and 770 apparently healthy individuals. Genotyping of CAT -844G>A (rs769214) polymorphism was performed using a TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction assay.

RESULTS

The -844A allele (odds ratio (OR)=1.31; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.04 to 1.64; р=0.02) and the -844AA genotype (OR=1.41; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.94; р=0.03) were found to be related to a higher risk of EH in the smokers. No association was found between this polymorphism and EH risk in the non-smokers.

CONCLUSION

Smoking is a predisposing factor for development of EH in CAT -844AA genotype carriers.

[ESTIMATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF HYPOLIPIDEMIC THERAPY WITH ROSUVASTATIN IN PATIENTS WITH CORONARY HEART DISEASE DEPENDING ON THE GENOTYPE OF LIPOPROTEIN LIPASE]

Taking into account the genetic heterogeneity of hyperlipidemias, polymorphic genes involved in the regulation of lipid metabolism may explain differences in the efficacy of hypolipidemic therapy. In the present prospective and randomized study, we have investigated the efficacy of rosuvastatin (10 mg/day) in the therapy of atherogenic hyperlipidemias in a group of 62 patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), depending on the genotype of lipoprotein lipase (LPL). The pharmacological correction was carried out during one year under control of lipid metabolism parameters (total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, HDL-unrelated cholesterol, triglycerides, atherogenic index) at the baseline and on 4th, 8th, 24th and 48th week. The HindIII polymorphism (+495T > G, rs320) of the LPL gene was genotyped in all patients studied through a real-time PCR TaqMan assay. Rosuvastatin produced a significant hypolipidemic effect with respect to all investigated lipid metabolism parameters for 24 weeks of treatment. Changes in the parameters of lipid metabolism upon rosuvastatin treatment differed in patients with genotype +495GG as compared to the rest LPL genotypes. In comparison to the +495TT and TG genotypes, the genotype +495GG showed a greater reduction in total cholesterol on 8th week, and in LDL-C, HDL-unrelated cholesterol, and atherogenic index on the 48th week of rosuvastatin therapy (p <0.01). It can be suggested that the pronounced hypolipidemic effect of rosuvastatin in homozygotes +495GG of the LPL gene is associated with modulation of the LPL activity, as it has been previously reported for other statin drugs.

[Clinical features of patients of older age groups with uterine myoma]

The study analyzed 301 patients with uterine cancer at the age of 45 years and older and 304 patients with uterine myoma 45 years. It was found that patients with uterine myoma of the older age group (45 and older) have the following clinical features: overweight and thus increased BMI these women, a lower percentage of a family history of uterine cancer, a smaller percentage of infertility, a greater number of pregnancies, births, medical abortions, the high prevalence of diseases of the cardiovascular system and pathology of the cervix, large size fibroids and as a consequence more common compartment syndrome adjacent organs by myoma nodes (disuric disorders).

Association of Flavin Monooxygenase Gene E158K Polymorphism with Chronic Heart Disease Risk

We studied the relationship between the risk of chronic heart disease and FMO3 gene polymorphism E158K analyzed by PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. The homozygous 158KK genotype of FMO3 gene is associated with high risk of chronic heart disease in women, but not in men. FMO3 gene polymorphism E158K is a significant predictor of predisposition to chronic heart disease in women.

[Genetic and biochemical mechanisms of involvement of antioxidant defense enzymes in the development of bronchial asthma]

In the present review we have analyzed and summarized recent literature data on genetic and biochemical mechanisms responsible for involvement of antioxidant defense enzymes in the etiology and pathogenesis of bronchial asthma. It has been shown that the mechanisms of asthma development are linked with genetically determined abnormalities in the functioning of antioxidant defense enzymes. These alterations are accompanied by a systemic imbalance between oxidative and anti-oxidative reactions with the shift of the redox state toward increased free radical production and oxidative stress, a key element in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma.

[The combined effect of E298D polymorphism of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene and smoking on the risk of cerebral stroke]

Violations of the endothelium-dependent regulation of cerebral vessel tone are an important link in the pathogenesis of cerebrovascular disorders. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of--86T>C and E298D polymorphisms of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase(NOS3) gene with the risk of ce-ebral stroke (CS) in Russian inhabitants of Central Russia, as well as to evaluate the trigger effect of smoking on the risk of CS in carriers of genotypes NOS3. Genotyping of-786T>C and E298D polymorphisms of the NOS3 gene was carried out through real time. CR and TaqMan allele discrimination assays. It was deter-ined that the genotype 298DD is associated with the risk of CS (OR =-1.71, 95% CII= 1.05-2.78, P= 0.03). Subsequent analysis showed that genotype 298 DD (OR = 3.75; 95% CII= 1.39-10.11; P= 0.01) is associatedw ith an increased risk of CS exclusively in smoking individuals. The combination ofg enotypes -786T/Cx298D/D was associated with the risk of CS. n smokers (OR = 7.71; 95% CI = 1.31-45.34; P = 0.02). In the present study, it was found that smoking is a significant modifying risk factor for cerebral stroke in the carriers of the 298DD and -786T/C. enotypes of endothelial nitric oxide synthase.

[SMOKING AS A TRIGGER FACTOR IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF DIABETIC ANGIOPATHY OF LOWER EXTREMITIES IN MEN WITH METHYLENETETRAHYDROFOLATEREDUCTASE 677TT GENOTYPE]

Enhanced thrombogenesis in patients with diabetes mellitus (D) is related to genetically determined disorders of the blood coagulation system analogous to those associated with hereditary thrombophilia. The aim of this work was to elucidate the relationship between the functionally significant methylenetetrahydroxyfolatereductase (MTHFR) C677T (rs1801133) gene polymorphism and the development of diabetic angiopathy of lower extremities (DALE) in ethnic Russian men residing in Central Russia (mostly Kursk region). The study involved 434 subjects including 50 with DALE and 384 healthy volunteers. All of them were genotypedfor the MTHFR C677T gene polimorphim by real-time PCR with allele discrimination using TaqMan-probes. No significant differences in the frequency of alleles of MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism were documented between the general samples and sex-matched groups. Stratified sex-specific analysis showed that 677TT genotype is associated with increased risk of DALE in smoking men (OR 4.2; 95% CI 1.28-13.79, p=0.01). In non-smoking men the 677TTgenotype was unrelated to the development of this complication. It is concluded that the risk of DALE is determined by the close relationship between genetic (UTHFR gene) and exogenous (smoking) factors which suggests the multifactorial nature of this pathology.

[GENDER-SPECIFIC DIFFERENCES OF ENDOTHELIAL NITRIC OXIDE SYNTHASE E298D POLYMORPHISM AND THE RISK OF STROKE]

Genetic factors can account for the differences in the frequency of stroke between men and women. Despite the scarcity of special clinico-genetic studies of stroke frequency in the two genders, analysis of association between DNA polymorphism and risk of stroke may reveal the influence of genetic factors on the sex-related predisposition to cerebrovascular diseases. The present work was aimed to study the relationship between frequent polymorphisms -786T > C of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) gene E298D and the risk of stroke in men and women. 904 DNA samples were obtained from unrelated Russian residents of Central Russia including 480 stroke patients and 424 healthy volunteers. Genotyping was performed by PCR in real time with allele discrimination using TaqMan probes. The homoygous genotype of NOS3 gene E298D was found to be associated with an increased risk of stroke in men (OR 2.60; 95% CI 1.28-5.29, p = 0.01). Neither men nor women showed association of polymorphism -786T > C with the predisposition to stroke. The E298D genotype in men was associated with the enhanced risk of both ischemic (OR 2.38; 95% CI 1.14-4.96, p = 0.02) and hemorrhagic (OR 5,58; 95% CI 1.95-16.05, p = 0.003) stroke. Thus, NOS3 gene E298D polymorphism is a reliable predictor of predisposition to various pathogenetic variants of stroke only in men.

Joint effect of glutathione S-transferase genotypes and cigarette smoking on idiopathic male infertility

Inconsistent results of association studies investigated the role of glutathione S-transferase genes in idiopathic male infertility may be explained by ethnical differences in gene-gene and gene-environment interactions. In this study, we investigated a joint contribution of GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 gene polymorphisms and cigarette smoking to the risk of idiopathic infertility in Russian men. DNA samples from 203 infertile and 227 fertile men were genotyped by a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (GSTM1 and GSTT1 deletions) and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (GSTP1 I105V) methods. The GSTP1 genotype 105IV was associated with increased risk of male infertility (OR = 1.50 95% CI 1.02-2.20 P = 0.04). Genotype combinations GSTP1 105II/GSTT1 del (G1), GSTM1 del/GSTT1 del (G2) and GSTM1 + /GSTT1 del (G3) were associated with decreased risk of male infertility (P ≤ 0.003), whereas a genotype combination GSTP1 105IV/GSTT1 + (G4) was associated with increased disease risk (P = 0.001). The genotype combinations G3 and G4 showed a significant association with infertility in smokers; however, nonsmokers carriers did show the disease risk. In conclusion, GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 genes are collectively involved in the development of idiopathic male infertility and their phenotypic effects on the disease risk are potentiated by cigarette smoking.

[Association of T174M polymorphism of the angiotensinogen gene with the higher risk of cerebral stroke in women]

AIM

To study the association of M235T (rs699) and T174M (rs4762) polymorphisms of the angiotensinogen (AGT) gene with the risk of cerebral stroke (CS) in the Russians of the Central Chernozem Region.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 638 DNA samples obtained from 353 patients with CS and 285 sex- and age-matched healthy individuals were examined. The polymorphisms were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction (T174M) and TaqMan allelic discrimination (M235T) assays.

RESULTS

Heterozygous AGT 174TM genotype carriers were found to be at a higher risk for CS (odd ratio (OR) = 1.52; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.08-2.15; p = 0.02). A gender-stratified analysis showed that the mutant 174M allele (OR = 1.86; 95% CI, 1.14-3.03, p = 0.01) and variant 174TM and 174MM genotypes (OR = 1.86; 95% CI, 1.09-3.20; p = 0.02) were associated with the higher risk of cerebral stroke in women.

CONCLUSION

The association of AGT T174M polymorphism with the risk of CS was first found; but the higher risk of the disease in the carriers of variant alleles and genotypes was observed in the women only.

[The association study of the promoter polymorphism -308G>A of tumor necrosis factor gene with the development and severity of acute pancreatitis in Russian population of Kursk region]

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the polymorphism -308G>A of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) gene and the risk and severity of acute pancreatitis (AP) in unrelated Russians from Kursk region. DNA samples were obtained from 190 AP patients and 217 healthy controls for genotyping the polymorphism through a TaqMan allelic discrimination assay. Although -308G>A genotypes did not show a significant association with disease risk, the genotype -308GA was found to be associated only with non-severe type of acute alcohol-related pancreatitis (odds ratio 1.81 (95% CI 1.02-3.23 p=0.04).

[Catalase gene polymorphism is associated with increased risk of cerebral stroke in hypertensive patients]

Experimental and clinical studies suggest that oxidative stress is an important pathogenetic mechanism of both essential hypertension (EH) and cerebral stroke (CS). In this paper, we investigated, for the first time, the relationship between polymorphisms of two genes for antioxidant defense enzymes such as catalase (CAT) and flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 (FMO3) and the risk of CS in hypertensive patients. DNA samples obtained from 667 unrelated Russian patients with EH (306 patients with CS, and 361 patients without cerebrovascular accidents) were genotyped for polymorphisms -21A>T (rs7943316) of the CAT gene and E158K (rs2266782) of the FMO3 gene. We found that the -21AA CAT genotype is associated with increased risk of CS in hypertensive males (OR = 1.77 95% CI 1.01-3.07). No significant differences in allele and genotype frequencies of the FMO3 E1 58K polymorphism have been revealed between the groups. The association analysis stratified by the environmental risk factors showed that the -21AA CAT genotype increased the risk of CS in male smokers (OR = 2.33 95% CI 1.40-5.40) as well as in male alcohol abusers (OR = 4.29 95% CI 1.22-15.12). In contrast, the variant genotypes such as an -21AT and -21TT of the CAT gene had a protective effect on the risk of CS in EH males with high or moderate physical activity (OR = 0.30 95% CI 0.11-0.83) and in those men who did not have life stresses (OR = 0.51 95% CI 0.28-0.90). The protective effect of the variant genotypes was also observed in high fruit and vegetable consumers (OR = 0.40 95% CI 0.17-0.93). This study is the first to show that the polymorphism -21A>T CAT is associated with increased risk of cerebral stroke in hypertensive men, however, the relationship between the polymorphism and risk of cerebrovascular disease depends on whether the patients have environmental risk factors or not.

[A protective effect of GLY272SER polymorphism of GNB3 gene in development of essential hypertension and its relations with environmental hypertension risk factors]

AIM

To study associations of C825T (rs5443) and G272S (rs16932941) polymorphisms of GNB3 gene in Russian population of the Central Chernozem region with essential hypertension (EH) risk; to elicit the role of environmental risk factors in realization of EH predisposition in this gene genotypes carriers.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We studied DNA samples obtained from 205 EH patients and 207 healthy individuals. EH patients were treated in Kursk hospitals. Genotyping of GNB3 gene polymorphisms was conducted by polymerase chain reaction and restriction analysis.

RESULTS

Prevalence of 82ST allele of GNB3 gene in EH patients and healthy individual was 0.334 and 0.295, respectively, of 272S allele--0.037 and 0.058, respectively. We found no significant differences by prevalence of genotypes of gene GNB3 polymorphisms C825T and G272S in EH patients and healthy individuals. Non-smoking carriers of 272GS genotype had a low risk of EH (OR 0.42 in 95% CI from 0.18 to 0.97; p = 0.04). Smokers had no protective effect of this genotype. The protective effect of 272GS genotype was also found in individuals with low or moderate alcohol drinking habits (OR 0.29 in 95% CI from 0.11 to 0.77, p = 0.02) and in individuals without chronic exposure to stress (OR 0.29 in 95% CI from 0.09 to 0.91, p = 0.04). In contrast, hard drinkers and patients exposed to chronic stress had no protective effect of heterozygous genotype 272GS of gene GNB3.

CONCLUSION

G272S polymorphism of GNB3 gene can be considered as a new genetic marker of predisposition to EH. The protective effect depends of environmental factors associated with high risk to develop EH.

[Polymorphism Gly460Trp of alpha-adducin gene and predisposition to essential hypertension. The role of gene-environment interactions in the development of the disease in Russian population]

In this study we for the first time in Russian population elucidated association between G460W polymorphism of -adducin gene (ADD1) and risk of development of hypertensive disease (HD). DNA samples from 205 patients with HD and 207 healthy nonrelated individuals of Russian nationality were genotyped for G460W polymorphism of ADD1 gene by polymerase chain reaction and restriction analysis. We detected no statistically significant differences between groups of healthy people and patients with HD. But among smokers with 460GW genotype of ADD1 gene we found elevated risk of HD development (OR 2.71, 95%CI 1.01-7.26; p=0.04). Among nonsmokers the given genotype did not influence risk of origination of the disease (OR 0.67, 95%CI 0.39-1.15; p=0.15). Moreover carriers of 460GW genotype who did not consume fresh vegetables and fruits or consumed them insufficiently (once a day or less) had the highest risk of HD development (OR 2.24, 95%CI 1.06-4.73; p=0.03) while in subjects who consumed fresh vegetables and fruits regularly the given genotype possessed protective properties in relation to risk of development of the disease (OR 0.25, 95%CI 0.09-0.68; p=0.005). Thus in the studied Russian population G460W polymorphism of ADD1 gene can be considered as predisposition gene to HD, but its pathological effect is manifested solely under influence of environmental factors.

Genetic variation of myeloperoxidase gene contributes to atopic asthma susceptibility: a preliminary association study in Russian population

BACKGROUND

Recently, we have shown that both antioxidant and oxidant genes are proper candidates for asthma susceptibility genes.

OBJECTIVES

In the present study we investigated whether a common polymorphism -463G > A in the promoter of myeloperoxidase (MPO) gene, an enzyme producing hypohalogenic oxidants, is associated with the risk of bronchial asthma.

METHODS

We studied 429 unrelated Russian subjects including 215 asthmatic patients and 214 sex- and age-matched healthy controls from Central Russia. The genotyping of the polymorphism -463G > A in the MPO gene was performed by the polymerase chain reaction and the restriction fragment length polymorphism assays.

RESULTS

It was found that a carriage of a -463A allele is associated with decreased risk of asthma (OR 0.64 95%CI 0.44-0.91, p = 0.013). Furthermore, variant genotypes (-463GA + AA) of the MPO gene were associated with decreased risk of asthma (OR adjusted by age, gender, and immunoglobulin E (IgE) level was 0.63 95%CI 0.42-0.95), but at a borderline statistical significance (Bonferroni corrected p = 0.017). Further analysis revealed that both a -463A allele and the -463GA/AA genotypes are significantly associated with decreased risk of atopic asthma (p = 0.01). No association of the -463G > A polymorphism of the MPO gene with non-atopic asthma has been revealed. We also found that the allele -463A (OR = 0.47 95%CI 0.27-0.81, p = 0.01) and the -463GA + AA genotypes (OR 0.43 95%CI 0.24-0.78, p = 0.005) are significantly associated with decreased risk of late-onset atopic asthma (the disease onset after 30 years). No association of both allele and genotypes of the polymorphism -463G > A of the MPO gene with early-onset of atopic and non-atopic asthma (the disease before 30 years) was seen.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study provide novel insights into pathogenesis of bronchial asthma. We put forward a suggestion about a possible mechanism by which the -463G > A polymorphism of the MPO gene is involved into pathogenesis of asthma.

Tobacco smoking, fruit and vegetable intake modify association between -21A>T polymorphism of catalase gene and risk of bronchial asthma

Although oxidative stress is a cardinal feature of bronchial asthma, the role of interactions between environmental oxidant/antioxidant exposures and antioxidant genes in asthma aetiology has yet to be determined. The present study was conducted to investigate whether two common polymorphisms -21A > T and -262C > T of catalase (CAT) gene are associated with susceptibility to asthma in a Russian population and to test the hypothesis that the asthma risk attributed to CAT genotypes could be dependent on both oxidant (tobacco smoking) and antioxidant (fruit and vegetable intake) exposures. A total of 429 unrelated Russian individuals from Central Russia were recruited in the study, including 215 asthmatics and 214 sex- and age-matched healthy controls. Genotyping analysis for the CAT gene polymorphisms was performed by PCR-RFLP assays. The frequencies of both allele -21A (OR 0.73 95%CI 0.55-0.96 p = 0.03) and -21AA CAT genotype (OR 0.42 95%CI 0.23-0.76 p = 0.004) were higher among asthmatics than among healthy controls. The frequency of -21AA genotype of the CAT gene was significantly higher in patients with allergic (OR 0.47 95%CI 0.25-0.92 p = 0.024) and nonallergic (OR 0.32 95%CI 0.14-0.71 p = 0.004) asthma in comparison with controls (at the Bonferroni corrected p value less than 0.025). Polymorphisms -21A > T and -262C > T of the catalase gene were in a positive linkage disequilibrium (p < 0.0001). Smokers who carried -21AA genotype had an increased risk of nonallergic asthma (p = 0.002), whereas nonsmoker carriers of this genotype did not have the risk of any variant of the disease. Notably, no association of CAT genotype -21AA with asthma was found in high fruit and vegetable consumers, whereas low fruit and vegetable consumers (one time per day or less often) possessing this genotype were at increased risk of both allergic (p = 0.013) and nonallergic (p = 0.008) asthma. This is the first study reporting an association of polymorphism -21A > T of the catalase gene with allergic and nonallergic asthma. We also found, for the first time, that cigarette smoking and fruit and vegetable intakes have potentially inverse modifying influences on the asthma risk in individuals with -21AA CAT genotype and that the gene-environment interactions that were found support the biologic plausibility of catalase gene for the development of bronchial asthma.

[Influence of three point mutations in TNF-alpha promoter gene in clinical manifestations and complications of stomach and duodenal ulcer]

The purpose of our study was to investigate whether polymorphisms -238G/A, -308G/A, and -863C/A within the promoter of the TNF-alpha gene are associated with clinical features of gastric and duodenal ulcer disease in a Russian population. DNA samples of 381 unrelated patients with gastric and duodenal ulcer disease and 216 sex- and age-matched healthy controls were used to determine the TNF-alpha gene polymorphisms by PCR-RFLP assay. Logistic regression analysis has revealed significant associations of polymorphism -308G/A with size of ulcerous defect (p=0.03) and intestinal dyspepsia (p=0.05), polymorphism -238G/A with gastric dyspepsia (p=0.04) and reflux-esophagitis (p=0.05), polymorphism -863C/A with perforation of ulcer (p=0.04). The study results highlight impact of the TNF-alpha gene polymorphisms on various clinical features in patients with peptic ulcer disease.

[Polymorphism -930A > G of the cytochrome b gene is a novel genetic marker of predisposition to bronchial asthma]

AIM

To evaluate the link between promotional polymorphism -930A > G of the cytochrome b gene (CYBA) and onset of bronchial asthma; to examine effects of this locus on the risk of the disease development depending on the pro- and antioxidant action of environmental factors.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We studied samples of DNA obtained from 214 healthy individuals and 215 patients with bronchial asthma treated in Regional Kursk Hospital. We used polymerase chain reaction and analysed polymorphism of restriction fragments lengths for genotyping of -930A > G polymorphism of CYBA gene.

RESULTS

Incidence of a variant allele -930G of CYBA gene among men with nonallergic bronchial asthma (nBA) was higher than in healthy men (OR 1.95; CI 1.02-3.73; p = 0.04). The homozygous variant genotype -930G/G was associated with a high risk of nBA in males (OR 2.66; CI 1.14-6.20; p = 0.02). In healthy individuals polymorphisms -930A > G and 640A > G were in negative linkage equilibrium (D = -0.057; p < 0.001) while in patients such associations were not registered. Male smokers with genotype -930G/G had the highest risk of nBA (OR 2.86; CI 1.06-7.77; p = 0.04) while non-smokers with this genotype had no risk of the disease (OR 1.50; CI 0.11-19.64; p = 0.70). Males with -930G/G on low or no vegetable diet had the highest risk of nBA (OR 3.11; CI 1.01-9.63; p = 0.04) while regular vegetable eaters had no risk to develop nBA (OR 0.73; CI 0.30-1.82; p = 0.50).

CONCLUSION

We were the first to find relations between -930A > G polymorphism of CYBA gene and predisposition to nBA. This association exists in males and depends on the smoking status and vegetable diet.

[Association of C242T and A640G polymorphisms in the gene for p22phox subunit of NADPH oxidase with the risk of bronchial asthma: a pilot study]

Genetic control of free radical oxidation, generation of reactive oxygen species, as well as of preoxidant and antioxidant balance in airway diseases, including bronchial asthma, is an important issue of the research in pulmonology. The present study is the first investigation of association between two common polymorphisms, C242T (exon 4) and A640G (3' untranslated region), within the NADPH oxidase gene (CYBA) and the risk of bronchial asthma. Samples of asthma patients (n =209) and healthy controls (n = 210) of Russian nationality were examined. Genotyping of the CYBA C242T and A640G polymorphisms was performed using polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism. It was demonstrated that the frequency of heterozygous CYBA genotype A640G in bronchial asthma patient group was lower than that in control group (OR = 0.66; 95%CI, 0.45-0.97; P = 0.04). Separate analysis of different clinical pathogenetic variants of the disease showed that homozygous wild-type CYBA genotype A640A was associated with the increased risk of allergic bronchial asthma (OR = 1.76; 95%CI, 1.07-2.90; P = 0.03), while heterozygous CYBA genotype A640G was associated with the decreased risk of this form of the disease (OR = 0.63; 95%CI, 0.41-0.96; P = 0.03). Thus, a new candidate gene for allergic bronchial asthma was discovered. Possible mechanisms of the involvement of CYBA in the development of asthmatic phenotype are discussed.

The relationship between polymorphisms in the glutamate cysteine ligase gene and asthma susceptibility

The present study was designed to investigate an association of common -588C/T and -23G/T polymorphisms within glutamate cysteine ligase modifier subunit gene with susceptibility to bronchial asthma. A total of 435 ethnically Russian subjects were recruited in this study, including 221 patients with asthma and 214 sex and age matched healthy subjects. As previously reported, the -588C/T and -23G/T polymorphisms were completely linked. The -588TT/-23TT genotype was found to be associated with decreased risk of allergic asthma after adjustment for age, gender and smoking status using multivariate logistic regression analysis (OR=0.33 95% CI 0.15-0.70, p=0.036). However, the -588CT/-23GT genotype was associated with increased risk of non-allergic asthma (OR=2.03 95% CI 1.05-3.90, p=0.06). This is a first study reporting the association between genetic variations in the glutamate cysteine ligase gene and susceptibility to bronchial asthma.

[Heterozygosity of 198LEU mutant allele in glutathione peroxidase-1 gene as a risk factor of bronchial asthma associated with smoking]

AIM

To investigate whether smoking has a differential effect by Pro198Leu genotypes of the glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPx1) gene on the risk of bronchial asthma (BA) in Russian population.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

DNA samples from 195 asthmatics and 167 healthy volunteers were genotyped for Pro198Leu polymorphism of the GPx1 gene by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length analysis.

RESULTS

Smoking was significantly associated with an increased risk of non-allergic BA in males but not in females (p < 0.00001). When smoking was examined according to Prol98Leu polymorphism of the GPx1 gene, association of 198Pro/Leu genotype with susceptibility to allergic BA was found only in male smokers (odds ratio = 2.51, 95% confidence interval = 1.04 to 6.06, p = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

The risk of allergic BA associated with smoking is increased in males who are heterozygous carriers for the low-activity 198Leu allele of the glutathione peroxidase-1 gene. The importance of molecular mechanisms is shown by which functional variants of antioxidant defense genes may mediate potentially oxidative effects of tobacco smoke on asthmatic phenotype.

[Molecular diagnosis and frequencies of primary hypolactasia in populations of RUSSIA and neighboring countries]

The digestion of the milk sugar (lactose) is observed every normal child but not in every adult. The decreased lactase synthesis in some adults results in problems with digestion of the whole milk (primary hypolactasy). An association of lactase activity in adults with carrying of the allele T within the polymorphism C/T-13910 located upstream of the lactase gene and 100% association of hypolactasy with the genotype C/C has recently been shown for a Finnish sample. In the present work we determined the LCT* C/T_13910 genotypes and allele frequencies in populations from Russia. The genotype C/C frequencies varied from 36.6% for Russians to 88.2% for Chukchi and were close to the published medical and epidemiological data on hypolactasy frequencies in respective populations. Genotyping was performed by three different methods to identify the optimal one. Our results have shown that the studied locus is the key determinant for the primary hypolactasy development in various human populations. Consequently, the DNA diagnostics of the C/C genotype carrying is a promising predictive test to detect the primary hypolactasy long before its clinical development. Practical application of this type of diagnostics would be a step towards the individual-oriented medicine.

The Contribution of Genetic and Environmental Factors to Quantitative Variability of Erythrocyte Membrane Proteins in Primary Hypotension

Our previous studies have shown that, compared with healthy individuals, patients with primary arterial hypotension (PAH) have significant quantitative changes in erythrocyte membrane proteins. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the contribution made by genetic and environmental factors to quantitative variation of erythrocyte membrane proteins in PAH. We studied 109 hypotensive patients, 124 normotensive subjects, 222 of their first-degree relatives and 24 twin pairs by sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The decomposition of total phenotypic variance of erythrocyte membrane proteins to genetic and environmental components was performed on the basis of correlations among first-degree relatives by the least squares method. The genetic dominance and shared environmental factors were found to influence the variability of cytoskeletal membrane proteins whose contents were changed in PAH. Furthermore, variations in alpha-spectrin, actin and anion exchanger in hypotensives were substantially influenced by major gene and maternal effects. Ankyrin 2.1 and actin content was under the control of common underlying genes. Variations in membrane-associated glutathione-S-transferase and tropomyosin were predominantly affected by polygenes. These findings suggest that the putative major genes with pleiotropic effects appear to be involved in the control of quantitative disorders of erythrocyte membrane proteins in primary hypotension.

[Contents of the main erythrocyte membrane proteins in patients with primary arterial hypertension and its relationship with hereditary predisposition to cardiovascular diseases]

AIM

To study quantitative content of main erythrocyte membrane proteins in patients with primary arterial hypotension and its relationship with hereditary predisposition to cardiovascular disease.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Quantitative content of main erythrocyte membrane proteins in 109 patients with primary arterial hypotension (PAH) and 124 healthy persons was measured with unidimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Hereditary determination of PAH was studied by the clinical-genealogical method.

RESULTS

PAH patients showed quantitative alterations in erythrocyte membrane protein composition: increased content of alpha-spectrin, ankyrin (band 2.1), anion exchange protein (band 3) and decreased content of actin, tropomyosin and glutathione-S-transferase. Patients with aggravated heredity for PAH had higher content of beta-spectrin and ankyrin (band 2.1 and 2.2) then patients without aggravated heredity for PAH.

CONCLUSION

Quantitative alterations of membrane proteins in patients with PAH could significantly modify the structure of cytoskeleton and result in modification of the enzyme activity of transmembrane proteins (ATPases) regulating cation transport across erythrocyte membrane. Moreover, aggravated heredity for PAH predisposes to high content of cytoskeletal proteins (beta-spectrin, 2.1 and 2.2 ankyrin) which could form more compact structure of erythrocyte membrane and limit cation influx into cytoplasma.