Impact of HFE gene variants on iron overload, overall survival and leukemia-free survival in myelodysplastic syndromes

Although iron overload is a clinical challenge, little is known about the clinical impact of HFE-variants in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) to date. We analyzed the HFE status in 167 MDS patients and 494 healthy controls. One or more of the 3 HFE-variants (H63D, C282Y, S65C) were found in 65/167 (38.9%) MDS patients and in 164/494 (33.2%) controls. At diagnosis, the median serum ferritin levels were higher in MDS patients with HFE-variants (409 µg/L; range: 23-7415) compared to those without HFE-variants (346.5 µg/L; range: 10-5450) (P=0.62). Moreover, 'HFE-mutated' patients had a slightly faster increase in serum ferritin in follow up examinations. The percentage of patients with HFE-variants was higher in refractory anemia (RA) (22/53=41.5%) or RA with ring sideroblasts (RARS) (17/39=43.6%) compared to RA with excess of blasts (RAEB) (16/46=34.8%) or RAEB in transformation (RAEB-T) (5/17=29.4%). Differences were also detectable when comparing low- and high-risk MDS variants defined by the World Health Organization classification. There was no significant correlation between HFE-variants and MDS-related somatic mutations. Progression-free survival was substantially longer in patients with HFE-variants compared to those without HFE-variants H63D and C282Y (P=0.089). Together, the HFE-variants H63D and C282Y are frequently detected in Austrian MDS patients. These patients have substantially higher ferritin levels at diagnosis, accumulate iron slightly faster and have a better progression-free survival than non-mutated patients.

134 The effect of follicle-stimulating hormone and equine chorionic gonadotropin injection protocols on laparoscopic ovum pickup in prepubertal Kiko goats

In vitro fertilization has served as a great tool in the human and bovine field in its ability to treat infertility in females. The purpose of this study was to compare hormone injection treatments in goats using the laparoscopic ovum pickup technique. A crossover trial was conducted to evaluate 2 superovulation injection protocols [a multiple-injection FSH (F) and a one-injection FSH-eCG (F+E)] for their ability to increase recovery of oocytes using laparoscopic ovum pickup (LOPU) technique in 10 prepubertal Kiko does. Does were randomly assigned to 2 sequence groups (n=5). Period 1 initiated on 28 July 2017 and Period 2 on 12 August 2017. A CIDR device was inserted on Day 0 and removed after LOPU. On Day 6 of each period, 3mL of prostaglandin F2α was given IM to each doe. F-treated does received (IM) twice daily injections of 15, 12.5, 10, and 7.5mg of FSH, whereas F+E-treated does received (IM) 80mg of FSH and 300 international units (IU) of eCG. Thirty-six hours after injection, follicles were aspirated using LOPU. Treatment response measurements included total follicles observed, oocyte recovery rate, and blastocyst rate. Total follicles observed were higher (P=0.004) in F+E-treated does (305 follicles) than F-treated does (236 follicles). Neither oocyte recovery rates (F+E=41.5% and F=38.1%) nor blastocysts rates (F+E=18% and F=32%) were affected (P>0.05) by injection protocol. In conclusion, we summarise that multiple injections of FSH can results in a higher number of follicles produced; however, this does not have a subsequent effect on IVF and development rates.

The Effect of ABCB1 Polymorphisms on Serial Tacrolimus Concentrations in Stable Austrian Long-Term Kidney Transplant Recipients

BACKGROUND

The multidrug resistance 1 gene (ABCB1) encodes P-glycoprotein (PGP), mainly expressed in the liver and engaged in metabolism of drugs including the immunosuppressant tacrolimus (TAC). ABCB1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) may significantly alter pharmacokinetics and influence TAC concentrations of kidney transplant recipients (KTR).

METHODS

The genotype distribution of ABCB1 1236C>T, 2677G>T/A and 3435C>T was investigated among 96 Austrian KTR who were converted from cyclosporin to TAC. Dose adjusted TAC trough levels and L/D ratios were assessed at week 1, 2, 4, and 8, and month 3, 12, and 24, and the influence of ABCB1 genotypes on dose adjusted TAC trough levels and level to dose (L/D) ratios were analyzed.

RESULTS

The genotype distributions for ABCB1 1236C>T were CC 36.4%, CT 5.2%, TT 58.3%, for ABCB1 2677G>T/A GA 2%, GG 63.5%, GT 20.8%, TA 1%, TT 12.5%, and for ABCB1 3435C>T CC 20.8%, CT 7.2%, TT 71.8%. Dose adjusted TAC trough levels and L/D ratios were independent of ABCB1 genotypes except for ABCB1 1236C>T at a single time point (week 2: 0.02599 [CC] vs. 0.05704 [CT] vs. 0.03218 [TT]; p = 0.024).

CONCLUSIONS

Serial analyses of TAC trough levels revealed no significant association with important ABCB1 genotypes among stable long-term Austrian KTR.

Histochemical screening, metabolite profiling and expression analysis reveal Rosaceae roots as the site of flavan-3-ol biosynthesis

Histochemical screening of 30 Rosaceae genera representing all classic subfamilies demonstrated flavan-3-ols (catechins) as general secondary metabolites in roots of Rosaceae. Semi-quantitative LC-MS analyses confirmed the presence of catechin, epicatechin and various dimeric flavan-3-ols (also representing higher polymeric proanthocyanidins) as prominent polyphenols in root tips of Fragaria (strawberry), Malus (apple), Rosa (rose), Pyrus (pear) and Prunus (plum). Distinct patterns of flavan-3-ol distribution at the cellular level were found in strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) and apple (Malus × domestica) root tips. The calyptras (root caps) showed the most prominent flavan-3-ol staining for these two genera. Border cells of Fragaria and Malus, as first demonstrated here for Rosaceae, were also found to contain flavan-3-ols. Transcript analyses with cDNA demonstrated root expression of known flavonoid genes expressed in the respective fruits and leaves. Primarily, this proves in situ biosynthesis of flavan-3-ols in these roots. Knowledge of the distinct cellular distribution patterns and their in situ biosynthesis in roots provides a basis for analysis of the functional roles of Rosaceae root flavan-3-ols.

Quantification of Ile-Ser-Bradykinin degradation in human serum and ascites

A leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) and a carboxypeptidase (CP) activity in human serum and malignant ascites degrade Ile-Ser-Bradykinin (ISB = T-Kinin) in two catalytic steps to desArg9Bradykinin. The catalytic activity in serum is always higher than in ascites. In serum the carboxypeptidase activity is higher than the LAP activity whereas in ascites the two activities are not different.