Polymorphisms of endothelin 1 (G5665T and T-1370G) and endothelin receptor type A (C+70G and G-231A) in Graves' disease

PURPOSE

Endothelin 1 (EDN1) is a strong angiogenic and mitogenic factor, playing a key role in hypervascularization, thyroid follicle cell hyperplasia, and lymphocyte infiltration in the thyroid gland of patients with Graves' disease (GD). EDN1 induces angiogenesis and mitogenesis via endothelin receptor type A (EDNRA). This study examined the possible association of EDN1 (G5665T and T-1370G) and EDNRA (C+70G and G-231A) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with the occurrence of GD, and evaluates the relationship between genotypes and clinical/laboratory manifestations of GD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We analyzed genotype and allele distributions of EDN1 and EDNRA polymorphisms in 165 patients with GD and 181 healthy controls by real-time PCR combined with melting curve analysis.

RESULTS

No significant associations between GD and variant alleles of the studied polymorphisms were observed. However, the anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) and anti-thyroglobulin (anti-TG) levels in EDN1 G5665T GG genotype were higher than those in T allele carriers (GT+TT) (p=0.001 and p=0.026, respectively). In addition, anti-TPO levels in EDN1 T-1370G wild-type homozygous patients were found to be higher than in mutant gene carrying patients (GT+GG) (p=0.006). The presence of EDNRA+70G allele was associated with 3.37-fold increased risk for development of ophthalmopathy in GD patients (p=0.009).

CONCLUSION

Although there were no associations between EDN1 (G5665T and T-1370G) and EDNRA (C+70G and G-231A) SNPs and susceptibility to GD, EDN1 G5665T and T-1370G polymorphisms were related to alterations of autoantibody production and EDNRA C+70G polymorphism is related with increased risk for ophthalmopathy in GD patients.

Effect of carnosine on prooxidant-antioxidant balance in several tissues of rats exposed to chronic cold plus immobilization stress

In this study, we investigated the effect of L-carnosine (CAR) on prooxidant-antioxidant balance in several tissues of rats exposed to chronic stress. Both cold and immobilization stresses were applied to rats at the same time. In the stress group, rats were placed in restraint cages and kept in a cold room (+4°C) for 1 h for 21 days (5 days a week). Rats were injected with CAR (250 mg/kg, i.p.) at 30 min before stress application. Malondialdehyde, diene conjugate, protein carbonyl and nitrotyrosine levels, nonenzymatic (glutathione, vitamin E, and vitamin C), and enzymatic (catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase) antioxidants were determined in the liver, heart, and brain tissues. Chronic cold plus immobilization stress was observed to affect especially the prooxidant-antioxidant status in the brain tissue of rats. This is the first report showing the beneficial effects of CAR on oxidative stress in the brain in rats exposed to stress.