Association Study between Idiopathic Scoliosis and Polymorphic Variants of VDR, IGF-1, and AMPD1 Genes

Prediction of pre-eclampsia in diabetic pregnant women

Background & objectives

Gestational or preexisting diabetes is one of the risk factors of pre-eclampsia. Both are responsible for higher maternal and fetal complications. The objective was to study clinical risk factors of pre-eclampsia and biochemical markers in early pregnancy of women with diabetes mellitus (DM)/gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) for the development of pre-eclampsia.

Methods

The study group comprised pregnant women diagnosed with GDM before the 20 wk of gestation and DM before pregnancy and the control group had age-, parity- and period of gestation-matched healthy women. Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and the polymorphism of these genes was evaluated at recruitment.

Results

Out of 2050 pregnant women, 316 (15.41%) women (296 had GDM and 20 DM before pregnancy) were included in the study group. Of these, 96 women (30.38%) in the study group and 44 (13.92%) controls developed pre-eclampsia. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated those who belonged to the upper middle and upper class of socio-economic status (SES) were likely to be at 4.50 and 6.10 times higher risk of developing pre-eclampsia. The risk of getting pre-eclampsia among those who had DM before pregnancy and pre-eclampsia in their previous pregnancy was about 2.34 and 4.56 times higher compared to those who had no such events, respectively. The serum biomarkers [SHBG, IGF-I and 25(OH)D] were not found to be useful in predicting pre-eclampsia in women with GDM. To predict risk of development of pre-eclampsia, the fitted risk model by backward elimination procedure was used to calculate a risk score for each patient. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for pre-eclampsia showed that area under the curve was 0.68 (95% confidence interval: 0.63-0.73); P<0.001.

Interpretation & conclusions

The findings of this study suggested that pregnant women with diabetes were at a higher risk for pre-eclampsia. SES, history of pre-eclampsia in previous pregnancy and pre-GDM were found to be the risk factors.

Predictive value of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in curve progression of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

PURPOSE

Genetic diagnosis is a promising approach because several single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) progression have been reported. We review the predictive value of SNPs in curve progression of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

METHODS

We reviewed DNA-based prognostic testing to predict curve progression. Then, the multiple polymorphisms in loci related to AIS progression were also reviewed, and we elucidated the predictive value of SNPs from four functional perspectives, including endocrine metabolism, neuromuscular system, cartilage and extracellular matrix, enzymes, and cytokines.

RESULTS

The ScoliScores were less successful predictors than expected, and the weak power of predictive SNPs might account for its failure. Susceptibility loci in ESR1, ESR2, GPER, and IGF1, which related to endocrine metabolism, have been reported to predict AIS progression. Neuromuscular imbalance might be a potential mechanism of scoliosis, and SNPs in LBX1, NTF3, and SOCS3 have been reported to predict the curve progression of AIS. Susceptibility loci in SOX9, MATN1, AJAP1, MMP9, and TIMP2, which are related to cartilage and extracellular matrix, are also potentially related to AIS progression. Enzymes and cytokines play essential roles in regulating bone metabolism and embryonic development. SNPs in BNC2, SLC39A8, TGFB1, IL-6, IL-17RC, and CHD7 were suggested as predictive loci for AIS curve progression.

CONCLUSIONS

Many promising SNPs have been identified to predict the curve progression of AIS. However, conflicting results from replication studies and different ethnic groups hamper their reliability. Convincing SNPs from multiethnic populations and functional verification are needed.

Genetic analysis of the Vitamin D receptor start codon polymorphism (FokI) in cervical vertebra and lumbar spine pathologies: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Vitamin D receptor (VDR) FokI polymorphism has been reported to influence the risk of spinal diseases. However, several studies suggest inconsistent results. Therefore, we performed this analysis to reveal the accurate relationship between VDR FokI polymorphism and spinal diseases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

8 articles accord with the strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. 1116 cases and 1263 controls are entered into this analysis. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) are calculated to evaluate the association between VDR gene polymorphism and spinal diseases.

RESULT

The results suggest that allele F is a risk factor for spinal diseases and the difference is significant (F vs. f: OR = 1.151, 95% CI, 1.020-1.300). For the genotype analysis of VDR FokI, no statistical differences exist in the models of heterozygote comparison (Ff vs. ff), homozygote comparison (FF vs. ff) and dominant model (FF + Ff vs. ff) (p > 0.05). However, in recessive model (FF vs. Ff + ff), there is a significant association between VDR polymorphism and spinal diseases (OR = 1.209, 95% CI, 1.017-1.436). In subgroup analysis, the results show that allele F is a risk factor for spinal diseases in each estimation. In hospital-based subgroup, the significant differences exist in FF vs. ff and FF vs. Ff + FF models. In degenerative spine diseases group, the results are consistent with that of overall studies.

CONCLUSIONS

According to results of this meta-analysis, allele F is associated with the increased risk of spinal diseases. FF genotype may contribute to the susceptibility of spinal diseases. Therefore, VDR FokI polymorphism is related with spinal diseases.