Cytokine (IL-10, IL-6, TNF-α and TGF-β1) Gene Polymorphisms in Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection among Malay Male Drug Abusers

Chronic Stress and Headaches: The Role of the HPA Axis and Autonomic Nervous System

Chronic stress significantly influences the pathogenesis of headache disorders, affecting millions worldwide. This review explores the intricate relationship between stress and headaches, focusing on the dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and autonomic nervous system (ANS). Persistent stress could lead to neuroinflammation, increased pain sensitivity, and vascular changes that could contribute to headache development and progression. The bidirectional nature of this relationship creates a vicious cycle, with recurrent headaches becoming a source of additional stress. Dysregulation of the HPA axis and ANS imbalance could amplify susceptibility to headaches, intensifying their frequency and severity. While pharmacological interventions remain common, non-pharmacological approaches targeting stress reduction, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, biofeedback, and relaxation techniques, offer promising avenues for comprehensive headache management. By addressing the underlying stress-related mechanisms, these approaches provide a sustainable strategy to reduce headache frequency and improve patients' quality of life.

Association of IL10 gene polymorphism with the susceptibility to dengue and disease severity in a population with asymptomatic and symptomatic dengue

Infections caused by Orthoflavivirus denguei can either manifest asymptomatically or present a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. This variety of symptoms results from its complex pathogenesis, which is influenced by viral factors, in addition to host genetics and immunological factors. It is known that anti-inflammatory cytokines can play an immunomodulatory role throughout the course of dengue. Therefore, we investigated the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) -1082 A/G (rs1800896) and -819 C/T (rs1800871) in the interleukin-10 (IL10) gene and their possible relationship with the development of symptomatic dengue in a Brazilian population. This study, carried out in northeastern Brazil, involved 333 volunteers, including 74 patients with dengue without warning signs (DWWS), 45 patients with dengue with warning signs (DWAS), 85 patients with asymptomatic dengue infection (ASY) and 129 health controls. The genomic DNA was extracted and the SNPs were genotyped using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The data obtained were used to conduct statistical analyses of the genotype and allele frequencies. We observed an association of A/G and G/G genotypes of the -1082 A/G SNP of the IL10 gene with susceptibility to symptomatic dengue and DWAS regarding the asymptomatic dengue. The G allele of this SNP has also been identified as a risk factor for symptomatic dengue, DWWS and DWAS. Regarding the analyses between the SNPs -1082 A/G and -819 C/T of the IL10 gene, there was an association of the G-C haplotype with symptomatic dengue, DWWS and DWAS, as well as a correlation of the A-C haplotype with asymptomatic dengue. Moreover, the data indicate an association between the presence of the G allele and the development of symptoms, compared to those without the G allele. Our results indicate the presence of the G allele of SNP -1082 A/G of the IL10 gene as a risk factor for the clinical development of symptomatic dengue in the studied population and show the importance of genomics association studies involving asymptomatic individuals.

Molecular genetic association of rs8099917 and rs1800795 polymorphisms in the progression of hepatitis Delta virus liver disease

Background

The relationship between viral infections and host factors holds high hopes for identifying the role of Interferon Lambda 3 (IFNL3) and Interleukin 6 (IL-6) polymorphisms in the development of Chronic Liver Disease (CLD) in patients infected with hepatitis Delta virus (HDV) in the Western Brazilian Amazon.

Methods

Cross-sectional study conducted with a cohort of 40 chronic HDV patients, 27 with CLD and 13 without evident liver damage. Biological samples from the participants were analyzed using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique, followed by sequencing by the automated Sanger method.

Results

The rs8099917 T allele, from the IFNL3 gene, showed a higher frequency in both groups; however, it was not possible to establish an association with HDV infection [OR = 1.42 (0.42 - 4.75; p = 0.556 (95% CI). For IL-6, the rs1800795 G allele was superior to rs1800795 C. Analyzing both distributions in the studied groups, any association with HDV was absent (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

The results suggest that the rs8099917 T/G (IFNL3) and rs1800795 G/C (IL-6) polymorphisms are not associated with the evolution of HDV in the studied population.

Luteolin-7-O-rutinoside from Pteris cretica L. var. nervosa attenuates LPS/D-gal-induced acute liver injury by inhibiting PI3K/AKT/AMPK/NF-κB signaling pathway

Pteris cretica L. var. nervosa is one of the most well-known Chinese medicines. Although it is widely used to treat jaundice hepatitis, the main ingredient for its treatment was not thoroughly explored until recently. Essentially, the purpose of this study is to find the monomer compound in Pteris cretica L. var. nervosa, which is most likely to be effective in treating liver injury. Through the model of LPS/D-gal-induced liver injury in mice, the best therapeutic site of the total extract was explored, the chemical components of the parts with the best therapeutic effect were separated, a total of 10 flavonoids were isolated, and the RAW264.7 cells induced by LPS were used as the experimental model to explore the preliminary anti-inflammatory activity of NO production in vitro. Finally, the anti-inflammatory activity and the highest content in this plant Luteolin-7-O-rutinoside (LUT) were selected, as the object of study in vivo. It was found that LUT could not only reduce alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels, but also significantly reduce the release of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and inhibit PI3K/AKT/AMPK/NF-κB pathway. In addition, LUT can increase levels of SOD and GSH to reduce oxidative stress. It has an obvious therapeutic effect on acute liver injury induced by LPS/D-gal in mice. Therefore, infer LUT is a functional substance in Pteris cretica L. var. nervosa.

Association of IL-6 and TGF-β Gene Polymorphisms with the Risk of Thoracolumbar Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures

Purpose

Osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF) is a common disease in the elderly, and genetic factors play a key role in its occurrence. The present study was conducted to investigate the association between interleukin-6 (IL-6) and the transforming growth factor (TGF-β) gene polymorphisms and the occurrence of thoracolumbar OVCF.

Patients and Methods

This case–control study recruited 146 patients with OVCF and 144 osteoporosis patients as the control group. Genotypes of the IL-6 rs1800796 and TGF-β rs1982073 were analyzed by sequencing. Genotype distribution and allelic frequencies were investigated by the χ² test. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) evaluated the relationship of IL-6 or TGF-β polymorphism and OVCF susceptibility.

Results

Allele G and genotype GG of IL-6 rs1800796 was more frequent in patients with OVCF (40.07% vs.28.47%; 19.18% vs.7.64%) compared with controls. GG genotype (OR=3.394, 95% CI=1.560–7.385, P < 0.001) and G allele (OR=1.680, 95% CI=1.187–2.376, P < 0.001) of IL-6 rs1800796 was significantly associated with increased risk of OVCF. What is more, CT and TT genotypes (41.78 vs.51.39; 19.86 vs.26.39) and allele T (40.75 vs 52.08) of TGF-β rs1982073 were less frequent in OVCFs, more common in controls and protective against OVCF risk (OR=0.436, 95% CI=0.228–0.835, P = 0.012; OR=0.615, 95% CI=0.443–0.855, P = 0.004).

Conclusion

Our results suggest that the G allele and GG genotype of IL-6 rs1800796 may contribute to increased susceptibility to OVCF in elderly Chinese. In contrast, CT and TT genotypes and the T allele of TGF-β rs1982073 may contribute to lower susceptibility of OVCF.