The rs822396 Polymorphism of the ADIPOQ Gene Is Associated with Anthropometric, Clinical, and Biochemical Alterations Related to the Metabolic Syndrome in the Mexican Population

Background: Adiponectin, encoded by the ADIPOQ gene, is produced mainly by adipose tissue, and meaning as a metabolic and immunological regulator. The polymorphism rs822396 in ADIPOQ gene was previously associated with diabetes mellitus type 2, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome components in Caucasian and Asiatic populations. The aim was to evaluate the association of the rs822396 polymorphism of the ADIPOQ gene with anthropometric, clinical, and biochemical alterations related to the metabolic syndrome in the Mexican population. Materials and Methods: Measurements, as well as peripheral blood for DNA extraction, were obtained from 434 participants from Mexico. The rs822396 polymorphism genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Statistical analysis was made with IBM-SPSSv20. Results: The rs822396G allele frequency was 22.1% in the Mexican population analyzed. In this study were detected differences according to G allele or GG genotype with the highest means, including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), body fat percentage, visceral fat, systolic arterial tension, glucose levels, triglyceride levels, total cholesterol (TC) levels, very low-density lipoprotein, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase and with triglycerides/glucose index. Significant differences were found with increased risk in the dominant model (AG/GG) of anthropometric, clinical, and biochemical alterations with regard to metabolic syndrome as the BMI [odds ratio (OR) = 2.19], WC (OR = 2.00), waist/hip index (OR = 1.65), body fat percentage (OR = 2.76), visceral fat (OR = 1.84), glucose levels (OR = 1.95), triglyceride levels (OR = 2.75), TC levels (OR = 1.63), high-density lipoprotein (OR = 1.86), and insulin resistance surrogated by the Triglyceride/glucose index (OR = 2.64). Conclusion: The rs822396 polymorphism of the ADIPOQ gene seems to be a risk factor for obesity and metabolic alterations with regard to the metabolic syndrome in the Mexican population.

Gene expression profiling demonstrates WNT/β-catenin pathway genes alteration in Mexican patients with colorectal cancer and diabetes mellitus

PURPOSE

Several studies have shown a strong association between diabetes mellitus (DM) and increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). The fundamental mechanisms that support this association are not entirely understood; however, it is believed that hyperinsulinemia and hyperglycemia may be involved. Some proposed mechanisms include upregulation of mitogenic signaling pathways like MAPK, PI3K, mTOR, and WNT, which are involved in cell proliferation, growth, and cancer cell survival. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the gene expression profile and identify differently expressed genes involved in mitogenic pathways in CRC patients with and without DM.

METHODS

In this study, microarray analysis of gene expression followed by quantitative PCR (qPCR) was performed in cancer tissue from CRC patients with and without DM to identify the gene expression profiles and validate the differently expressed genes.

RESULTS

Among the study groups, some differently expressed genes were identified. However, when bioinformatics clustering tools were used, a significant modulation of genes involved in the WNT pathway was evident. Therefore, we focused on genes participating in this pathway, such as WNT3A, LRP6, TCF7L2, and FRA-1. Validation of the expression levels of those genes by qPCR showed that CRC patients without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) expressed significantly more WNT3Ay LRP6, but less TCF7L2 and FRA-1 compared to controls, while in CRC patients with DM the expression levels of WNT3A, LRP6, TCF7L2, and FRA-1 were significantly higher compared to controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that WNT/β-catenin pathway is upregulated in patients with CRC and DM, demonstrating its importance and involvement in both pathologies.

SEVERE HYDROCEPHALUS, KIDNEY AND SKELETAL ANOMALIES IN A FEMALE PATIENT WITH MILD NEUROLOGICAL ALTERATIONS

The appearance of untreated severe hydrocephalus with long-term survival is infrequent; here we report a case with these characteristics, mild neurological alterations and kidney and skeletal anomalies. A female patient showed severe hydrocephalus (initially mistaken with hydranencephaly) at 4 years old and left kidney ectopia (initially mistaken with renal agenesis); however, she was derived to the neurology service until she was 12 years old, when she began to present migraine and seizures. At 13 years old the patient was diagnosed with arrested hydrocephalus secondary to aqueduct stenosis, and the seizures worsen thereafter from atonic seizures to complex partial seizures (at 14 years old), presenting generalized seizures at 15 years old. At 17 years old, the seizures were more frequent despite the anticonvulsant treatment and also presented automations, she was also diagnosed with genu recurvatinn and scoliosis. The seizures finally diminished and partially controlled at 19 years old. Despite a cerebral mantle < 2.0 cm at the computer tomography, the patient always presented a satisfactory intellectual development. In this case, the relatively good and long evolution of the severe hydrocephalus is probably related with the late-onset of the disease that permitted a better development of the brain; however, the worsening of the seizures after the hydrocephalus arrested, suggests that arrest is not necessarily associated with a compensation and better evolution of the disease, at least at the beginning of the process. The presence of kidney ectopia and skeletal alterations did not associate with a known genetic disease, however a possible inheritance mechanism is not discarded.

Apolipoprotein E genotypes in Mexican patients with Parkinson's disease

Background: The association of the apolipoprotein (Apo E) -epsilon4 allele to neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease (PD) has been analyzed in several studies. This association has been identified by amyloid deposits and neurofibrillary tangles in the brains of patients with neurodegenerative diseases.

Method: In this study the possible relationship between Apo E alleles and PD patients was analyzed in 105 patients with PD and 107 healthy controls from a Mexican population.

Results: Allele analysis in PD vs. controls was: ε2 in 6% and 2.3%, respectively; ε3 in 73% and 88.3%; and ε4 in 21% and 9.4%. The ε3 allele showed a protective risk effect with an Odds ratio (OR) of 0.36 (95%CI 0.20-0.61) and p < 0.05; contrary results were observed for the ε4 allele, which showed an increased risk for PD, with an OR of 2.57(95% CI 1.42-4.79) and p < 0.05. Upon multivariate analysis showed PD risk was evident in patients who were carriers of the genotype ε3/ε4; age group (fifty or more years) and had exposure to pesticides and solvents (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: The ε3/ε3; ε3/ε4 genotypes of the Apo E, were positively associated with sporadic PD.

Influence of socioeconomic lifestyle factors and genetic polymorphism on type 2 diabetes occurrences among Tunisian Arab and Berber groups of Djerba Island

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by three major metabolic abnormalities: impaired insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in muscle and adipose tissues, alterations in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, and increased hepatic glucose production. Both genetic and environmental factors contribute to its development. The insulin gene (INS), insulin receptor gene (INSR), and insulin receptor substrate 1 gene (IRS1), identified by polymerase chain reaction and digestion with selected restriction enzymes PstI, NsiI, and BstnI, have been proposed as T2DM candidate genes. To determine the contribution of genetic and environmental factors on the occurrence of T2DM, we examined the frequency of T2DM among two ethnically diverse populations, Arabs and Berbers, who have shared the same environment, the island of Djerba, for thousands of years. Both populations have a high prevalence of obesity,T2DM, and a high consanguinity rate. A total of 162 T2DM men and women were matched to 110 healthy male and female controls. Results showed that the NsiI polymorphism in INSR and BstnI polymorphism of IRS1 were significantly associated with T2DM only among the Berber group. The PstI polymorphism in INS, was not associated with T2DM in either group. Sedentary lifestyles, lower physical activity, and lower educational levels were associated with T2DM among the Berber group. These findings suggest that the insulin receptor gene and lifestyle factors in combination may contribute to the occurrence of T2DM in the Berber portion of this island population.

Association of the insertion/deletion polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene with type 2 diabetes in two ethnic groups of Jerba Island in Tunisia

Introduction.The aim of the current study was to evaluate the role of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism on the prediction of type 2 diabetes in two ethnic populations from Jerba Island,Tunisia.

Methods. In this study, we analysed the genotypic and the allelic distributions of the ACE I/D polymorphism and conducted a case/control association study between healthy normoglycaemic controls and diabetic patients in the two studied groups.ACE gene polymorphism was analysed by polymerase chain reaction in 272 individuals consisting of 172 diabetic subjects and 100 controls.

Results.The genotype frequencies for DD, ID and II were 75.50%, 19.60% and 4.89% inArabs and 76.66%, 16.66% and 6.67% in Berbers, respectively, in the case group, and 42.85%, 35.71% and 21.43% inArabs and 57.50%, 22.50% and 20.00% in Berbers, respectively, in the control group.The DD frequency was significantly higher in the case group than in the control group (p<0.001), suggesting that the DD genotype is associated with an increased susceptibility to type 2 diabetes in our study populations.

Conclusions.The current investigation provides new evidence regarding the role of the ACE I/D polymorphism in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes in Jerbian populations. Furthermore, it underlines the importance of ethnicity, which should be considered in all studies aiming to test the genetic effects on the susceptibility to type 2 diabetes.

Analysis of the association of preeclampsia with polymorphisms of the INS, INSR and IRS1 genes in Mexican women

BACKGROUND/AIMS

It has been proposed that preeclampsia is a metabolic syndrome of pregnancy. The polymorphisms PstI and MaeIII of INS, NsiI of INSR and Ala513Pro and Gly972Arg of IRS1 have been associated with metabolic syndrome; moreover, the products of these genes are functionally contiguous during insulin signaling. The aim of this study was to assess whether these polymorphisms are associated with preeclampsia.

METHODS

46 normotensive pregnant women and 43 preeclamptic patients were included in the study to develop a clinical, biochemical and genotypic profile of preeclampsia. Clinical evaluation consisted of measurement of blood pressure, height and weight. Peripheral blood samples were collected for determination of fasting glucose and insulin concentrations and for extraction of genomic DNA. Proteinuria was determined. Polymorphisms were detected using PCR-RFLP.

RESULTS

The normotensive and preeclampsia groups did not differ significantly in clinical and biochemical traits, except for systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.0001). Polymorphisms previously associated with metabolic syndrome in Mexican populations were not associated with preeclampsia in Mexican women (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The lack of an association between preeclampsia and the polymorphisms studied suggests that other genes whose products do not have direct functional interaction with metabolic syndrome or epigenetic factors may play a role in preeclampsia.

Amylin S20G mutation in Mexican population

Diabetes Mellitus type 2 (DM2) is a group of metabolic disorders characterized by defective insulin action or secretion or both with a 10.6% incidence in Mexican Mestizo population, DM2 is also classified within the localized misfolding diseases due to the amyloid pancreatic deposits found in 90% of the DM2 necropsies. The pancreatic amyloid main component is a protein known as human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) or amylin, the most common mutation is the S20G in Asian population with a polymorphic frequency in DM2 Asian patients. The aim of this study was to search this mutation in Mexican Mestizo general population (104) and DM2 patients (100). This is the first molecular study of hIAPP gene in Mexican population and in which we developed an alternative more effective antisense primer for the analysis of the NFGAILSS region in hIAPP exon 3 critical for the amyloid beta structure formation. We did not find the mutation in any of the 204 analyzed samples, thus the findings show that S20G is not a common mutation in Mexican Mestizo population.

Second female case of Myhre syndrome

Myhre syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by low birthweight, short stature, mental retardation, facial dysmorphism (blepharophimosis, midfacial hypoplasia, prognathism), heart anomalies, muscle hypertrophy, decreased joint mobility and deafness. To date 11 male cases and only one female case have been reported. This paper describes the second female case and compares the clinical and radiological findings between female and male patients.

Identification of DNA sequences and viral proteins of 6 human papillomavirus types in retinoblastoma tissue

PURPOSE

To detect DNA and proteins of human papillomavirus (HPV) in paraffin-embedded retinoblastoma (RB) tissue, to identify the viral types present and to describe a possible association between the presence of HPV and a particular form of RB.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty-one samples from ocular tissues of RB patients and of six controls enucleated for non-neoplastic reasons were obtained and analyzed by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) with consensus primers to detect HPV. Viral type identification was performed by Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms (RFLP) analysis. To corroborate the presence of HPV, immunohistochemical analysis with a polyclonal anti-HPV antibody was performed in 10 RB cases and in all controls.

RESULTS

Forty-two (82.3%) of the 51 samples were HPV-positive. HPV 6 was detected in 40 cases (95.2%), HPV 33 in 16 (38.1%), HPV 11 in 4 (9.5%) and HPV 31, 35 and 51 each in one case (2.3%). All controls were negative for HPV-DNA. The positive samples were PCR-tested for HPV 16 and 18 using specific primers, and were all negative. For immunohistochemical analysis, 7 out of 10 PCR-positive samples randomly chosen were positive; all six controls were negative.

CONCLUSION

No differences in the HPV type distribution were found between the groups formed according to the tumor presentation or to the mode of inheritance.

Human papillomavirus in tonsillar and nasopharyngeal carcinoma: isolation of HPV subtype 31

We retrospectively studied biopsy specimens obtained from 16 patients who had carcinoma of the tonsil or nasopharynx. Polymerase chain reaction testing detected the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in 13 samples (81.3%)--six tonsillar and seven nasopharyngeal. Eleven of the 13 positive samples (84.6%) contained HPV subtype 31. We believe that this is the first report of the presence of HPV subtype 31 in these carcinomas. In addition to the significant association between tonsillar and nasopharyngeal cancer and HPV, our analysis of descriptive variables confirmed the association between the incidence of these neoplasms and poor oral hygiene and low socioeconomic status in older adults.

De novo duplication xq22-q23 in a girl with short stature and gonadal dysgenesis

A female of 20 years of age with short stature, gonadal dysgenesis and Turner stigmata with a de novo dup Xq22-q23 was studied. The maternal cytogenetic study was normal. This case represents the smallest Xq duplication in an abnormal female. We discuss the possibility of a maternal imprinting.

Sex reversal due to Xp disomy by t(X;Y)(p21;q11)

A 20-month-old infant exhibiting psychomotor retardation, dysmorphisms and ambiguous external genitalia was found to have a 46-chromosome karyotype including a normal X chromosome and a marker Y with most of Yq being replaced by an extra Xp21-->pter segment. The paternal karyotype (G and C bands) was 46,XY. The marker Y composition was verified by means of FISH with a chromosome X painting, an alphoid repeat and a DMD probe. Thus, the final diagnosis was 46,X,der(Y)t(X;Y)(p21;q11)de novo.ish der(Y)(wcpX+,DYZ3+,DMD+). The patient's phenotype is consistent with the spectrum documented in 13 patients with similar Xp duplications in whom sex reversal with female or ambiguous genitalia has occurred in spite of an intact Yp or SRY gene. A review of t(X;Y) identifies five distinct exchanges described two or more times: t(X;Y)(p21;q11), t(X;Y)(p22;p11), t(X;Y)(p22;q11-12), t(X;Y) (q22;q12), and t(X;Y)(q28;q12). These translocations probably result from a recombination secondary to DNA homologies within misaligned sex chromosomes in the paternal germline with the derivatives segregating at anaphase I.

The LMP2 polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to acute anterior uveitis in HLA-B27 positive juvenile and adult Mexican subjects with ankylosing spondylitis

INTRODUCTION

An association between polymorphism of the HLA linked LMP2 locus and the development of acute anterior uveitis (AAU) has previously been described in B27 positive white subjects with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). This study evaluated LMP2 alleles in two HLA-B27 positive Mexican populations of patients with spondyloarthropathy known to have a different clinical spectrum of disease from white people.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study populations consisted of 90 AS patients from Guadalajara with predominantly adult onset disease and 80 AS patients from Mexico City with predominantly juvenile onset disease. LMP2-CfoI amplified fragment length polymorphisms were determined after polymerase chain reaction amplification and digestion with CfoI restriction enzyme.

RESULTS

There was an increased LMP2A allelic frequency in patients who had had AAU in both Guadalajara (31.8%) and Mexico City (33.3%) when compared with non-AAU patients (15.2% and 17.7% of Guadalajara and Mexico City populations, respectively). The odds ratio relating LMP2A allelic frequency and AAU for the combined population, stratified by age at onset of disease, was 2.51 (p = 0.01). LMP2 alleles did not influence the age at onset of disease or the development of peripheral arthritis.

CONCLUSIONS

These data support the view that polymorphism at the LMP2 locus is associated with the development of AAU in B27 positive subjects with AS. The requirement for both the less common LMP2 allele and HLA-B27 is consistent with the low prevalence of AAU in Mexican patients with spondyloarthritis.

HLA-DRB1*08 influences the development of disease in Mexican Mestizo with spondyloarthropathy

OBJECTIVE

HLA class II encoded factors may influence the phenotype of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). These include HLA DRB1*07 for peripheral arthritis, and polymorphism of the HLA-linked LMP2 locus and HLA DRB1*08 for acute anterior uveitis (AAU). We studied the relationship between DRB1*08 and disease phenotype in additional populations of individuals with AS.

METHODS

The patient population included 385 unrelated HLA-B27 positive individuals with AS. These included 204 Caucasians and 2 populations of Mexican Mestizo with AS: 106 with predominately adult onset disease from Guadalajara and 75 with predominately juvenile onset disease from Mexico City. The control population of 428 individuals included 210 random and 36 HLA-B27 positive unrelated Canadian Caucasians and 173 random and 9 HLA-B27 positive Mexican Mestizo from Mexico City. DRB1*08 typing was by sequence specific polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

A significantly higher prevalence of DRB1*08 was observed in Mexican patients with juvenile onset disease (44.9%) and especially those with undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy (55.6%) compared to normal unrelated Mexican Mestizo (25.4%) (p < 0.01 for both) and in patients with undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy versus B27 controls (11.1%) (p = 0.03), although no significant differences were observed in within patient group comparisons based on phenotypic features of disease such as AAU and age at onset. No significant relationship between DRB1*08 and disease phenotype was evident in Caucasian individuals.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest DRB1*08 may influence the phenotype of spondyloarthritis in Mexican Mestizo, but do not support the view that DRB1*08 influences the development of AAU, as reported in a Japanese population.

Unexpected familial recurrence of iris coloboma. A delayed mutation mechanism?

Typical isolated ocular coloboma is a congenital abnormality caused by a defective closure of the embryonic fissure of the optic cup. Although an irregular autosomal dominant mechanism of inheritance has been proposed, there is some evidence of other modes of transmission and etiologies. This report shows an unexpected recurrence of iris coloboma, occurring in three sibships of the same family, that could be explained by a "delayed mutation" or "premutation" mechanism.

A distinct dysmorphic syndrome with congenital glaucoma and probable autosomal recessive inheritance

Three sisters with congenital glaucoma, peculiar facies and mild skeletal anomalies are described. It is concluded that such an aggregate of anomalies probably corresponds to a 'new' autosomal recessive syndrome.

A syndrome with mixed deafness, Mozart ear, middle and inner ear dysplasias

A 10-year-old boy presenting a disorder of multiple malformations with an otologic component consisting of mixed deafness, Mozart ear, thin stapes, small oval window and agenesis of the semicircular canals, was studied. A comparative analysis of similar malformation-entities has permitted the delineation of a previously undescribed syndrome.