Plasma total homocysteine levels and other biochemical parameters in Algerian patients with deep vein thrombosis

We studied total plasma homocysteine levels (tHcy) in Algerian patients with a deep venous thrombosis (DVT). We measured tHcy levels in a total of 99 subjects enrolled in this study, including 40 patients with DVT and 59 healthy controls. The mean tHcy level in the patients was 12.62±8.7 μmol/L and that in the controls was 10.2± 2.1 μmol/L. In a univariate regression model, tHcy concentrations were inversely correlated with triglycerides (TG) (r=–0.358; p=0.023) and total cholesterol (TC) (r=–0.454; p=0.003) concentrations. Logistic regression analysis showed that tHcy after adjustment was significantly associated with the following factors: TC (p=0.003) and TG (p=0.023). The analysis in DVT patients showed that variables independently associated with tHcy were TC [odds ratio (OR) 2.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.7–2.6], low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.6–2.5), creatinine (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.7–2.6), and smoking (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.7–2.5). In conclusion, these results indicate that tHcy levels and other biochemical parameters are important determinant factors for DVT diseases in Algerian patients.

Identification of four common α-thalassemia gene deletions among a group with hemoglobinopathies in Sétif population, Algeria

α-Thalassemia (α-thal) is one of the most common genetic disorders in the world. It is characterized by the absence or reduced expression of α-globin genes. This study was carried out to evaluate the allelic frequency of α-thal defects in a patient for the first time in Sétif (Algeria). One hundred and two patients with hemoglobinopathies from Sétif region, Algeria, presenting thalassemia were included in this study. Genomic DNA isolation was carried out according to standard methods. For identifying the α-thal genotype, investigation of α-globin gene deletions (-α3.7, -α4.2, -MED and -α20.5) was performed by using multiplex-polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Among the three deletions found, the most mutations were the -α3.7 (10.78%), followed by the -MED (5.88%) and -α20.5 (0.98%), whereas the -α4.2 deletion was not observed (0.0%). The allele frequency is 0.054 (11/204) for the 3.7 deletion, 0.029 (6/204) for the MED and 0.005 (1/204) for the 20.5. Molecular heterogeneity of mutations is typical of α-thal in Algeria. Our findings will be valuable and essential for the molecular diagnosis and prevention strategies of hemoglobinopathy gene mutations in the Algerian population.

Nutritional Factors, Homocysteine and C677T Polymorphism of the Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase Gene in Algerian Subjects with Cardiovascular Disease

The C677T variant of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), a key enzyme in the remethylation of homocysteine (HCY) to methionine, is a frequent genetic cause of moderate hyperhomocysteinemia (HHCY) among individuals with cardiovascular disease (CVD), and particularly when combined with other factors such as hyperlipidaemia. However, in Algeria the influence of nutrient-gene interactions is not known. The aim of the present study was to explore the influence of age and gender, together with folate status, on the association between the C677T MTHFR polymorphism and plasma total HCY (tHCY) concentrations. This research was carried out as a prospective study on 98 patients hospitalized in the Cardiology Section, University of Sétif, Algeria. Mean age of participants was 57 y (range 20-96 y).The genetic analysis of the MTHFR C677T polymorphism was performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) performed on Light Cycler in borosilicate capillaries with MTHFR 677CT polymorphism detection kit. The concentrations of tHCY, folic acid vitamin B12 levels were determined using a competitive immunoassay on the IMMULITE 1000 Analyzers. Plasma total cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, creatinine and urea concentrations were measured by colorimetric methods. Assays were conducted according to the manufacturers' instructions. Plasma tHCY was significantly higher in the patients with CVD, and HHCY was associated with the presence of mildly elevated serum urea and creatinine (p <0.05). MTHFR gene mutation does not seem to be associated with elevation of plasma tHCY in the studied patients and this lack of correlation could be influenced by the higher folate concentrations in our study. CVD patients with 677CT/TT genotypes had a higher concentration of total cholesterol than those with 677CC genotype (p <0.05). Although, the presence of 677T variant together with hypofolatemia (<15.4 ng/ml) had a more detrimental effect on the level of total cholesterol (p <0.05). Folatemia and vitamin B12 were much higher in 677CC genotype compared to 677CT/TT genotype in CVD subjects without hyperlipidemia (p <0.05). However in patients with hyperlipidemia these values became lower also with 677CC genotype. In conclusion, hyperlipidemia affects the levels of plasma folate and vitamin B12 concentrations independent of mutated MTHFR genotype. The effect of 677T variant on total cholesterol, folate and vitamin B12 concentrations may relate to possible adverse effects of elevated tHCY on lipid profiles and on plasma folate and vitamin B12.

Influence of Retinopathy on Plasma Concentrations of total Homocysteine and other Biochemical Parameters in Algerian Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Homocysteine (HCY) has been identified as a risk factor for vascular disease in the general population. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) itself rather than hyperhomocysteinemia is the leading cause of blindness among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Our study was conducted with 60 healthy control subjects and 178 subjects with T2DM. They were enrolled in the Diabetes Prevention Program from September 2007 to December 2008. Of the 178 patients, 121 cases (68%) had DR Mean plasma total HCY (tHCY) levels were found to be higher in T2DM patients compared to controls (p <0.001), and were also higher than that of the DR group (p <0.001). Plasma folic acid levels were lower in the DR group compared with T2DM without DR and the control group (p <0.001), but there were no significant differences between the latter and the controls. Moderate hyperhomocysteinemia was significantly associated with lower vitamin B12 and folic acid concentrations and older age. Concentrations of serum total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglycerides (TG) were significantly raised (p <0.001) whereas the level of HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) was decreased (p <0.001) in diabetic subjects as compared to controls. Logistic regression analysis showed that DR after adjustment was significantly associated with the following factors: cholesterol, HDL-C and TG. The analysis in DR patients after controlling for cholesterol and TG was independent of plasma tHCY concentrations (OR = 28.5 and OR = 11.9; respectively). In conclusion, results suggest a possible association between moderate hyperhomocysteinemia, traditional risk factors and folic acid deficiency could be an independent risk factor for DR.

Hyperhomocysteinemia and C677T Polymorphism of Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase Gene in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease

The aim of the present study was to explore the influence of age and gender, on the association between the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism and plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Fasting tHcy and the MTHFR C677T mutation were evaluated in 98 patients with CVD, 46 were men and 52 women (aged 20-96 years). There was a significant elevation of plasma tHcy with age (<45 yr: 33.9 μmol/L vs. >75 yr: 43.6 μmol/L; p <0.01). The mean tHcy concentration increased significantly with age in men (<55 yr: 33.4 μmol/L vs. >55yr: 42.45 μmol/L; p 0.01). However, the plasma tHcy was not increased with older age in women. The frequency of the TT genotype was 19.6% in the younger patients group (>55 yr) compared with 4.7% in the older patients group (>55 yr; p <0.01). In conclusion, the data presented here are consistent with genetic factors that influence tHcy levels being more prominent in old patients (>55 yr). Then, the MTHFR mutation does not seem to be associated with either high tHcy or the occurrence of CVD.