The Association Between C424c/A Polymorphism Within the IL-25 Gene and Multiple Sclerosis

BACKGROUND

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a common autoimmune system disease which affects the central nervous system. It has been documented that interleukin-25 (IL-25) plays key roles in suppressing Th1 responses, which is increased during MS.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate the c424C/A polymorphism within the IL-25 gene in MS patients in comparison to healthy controls.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this case-control study, 74 patients with MS and 75 healthy controls were selected. Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used in order to determine c424C/A polymorphism within the IL-25 gene.

RESULTS

The results showed that there was no statistical significant difference in distribution of genotype (AA, AC and CC) and allele (A and C) frequencies between MS patients and healthy controls (P = 0.901 and P = 0.728, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, it appears that the c424C/A polymorphism within the IL-25 gene has no significant relationship with MS, and this polymorphism is probably not associated with MS complications, its onset and gender distribution.

Bilateral three-level lumbar spondylolysis repaired by hook-screw technique

We report a case of bilateral three-level lumbar spondylolysis that was directly repaired by use of hook-screw technique. The patient complained of low back pain for 2 years that progressively worsened and was exacerbated with standing and walking. He also mentioned bilateral sciatalgia. The neurological examination was normal. Interestingly, we found bilateral lumbar spondylolysis in L3, L4, and L5 levels in imaging studies. After proving that spondylolysis was the source of the low back pain by local anesthetic agent injection, we used a direct technique for correction of spondylolysis by use of a hook-screw device plus decortications of lysis area and iliac crest autograft. We assessed the patient after surgery to evaluate pain recovery and fusion rate. The results were favorable and proved the efficacy of the hook-screw technique for treatment of symptomatic multilevel lumbar spondylolysis.