Polymorphisms of vitamin D receptor gene protect against the risk of head and neck cancer

Vitamin D has potent anti-tumour properties. Calcitriol [1,25(OH)2D3], the hormonal derivative of vitamin D3, is an antiproliferative and prodifferentiation factor for several cell types, including human squamous cells of the head and neck. Several polymorphisms of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene have been described, including a FokI restriction fragment-length polymorphism (RFLP) in exon 2 and an adjacent TaqI RFLP in exon 9. We hypothesized that the VDR FokI and TaqI polymorphisms are associated with the risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). We conducted a hospital-based, case-control study of 719 SCCHN cases and 821 cancer-free controls (all non-Hispanic Whites) to assess the association between VDR polymorphisms and SCCHN risk. The cases and controls were frequency-matched on age, sex and ethnicity. Polymorphisms at the TaqI and FokI restriction sites were determined from genomic DNA by polymerase chain reaction-RFLP methods. Both homozygous variant genotypes (ff and tt) were associated with a decreased risk of SCCHN [odds ratio (OR)=0.72, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.53-0.98 and OR=0.64, 95% CI=0.47-0.87, respectively] compared to the common FF and TT genotypes. The VDR variant genotypes were associated with a decreasing risk of SCCHN in a variant allele dose-dependent manner, and the decreasing trend in OR was statistically significant, particularly for the combined genotypes (Ptrend<0.001). These data suggest that the VDR f and t alleles and their genotypes may protect against SCCHN. However, further studies are warranted to confirm these findings.     

Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism as an important modifier of positive family history related breast cancer risk

The association between vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms and diseases such as breast cancer, prostate cancer and osteoporosis has been extensively investigated during recent years. To date, several polymorphisms have been found in the VDR gene. In this Finnish case-control study, comprising 483 breast cancer patients and 482 healthy population controls, we investigated the association between altered breast cancer risk and two polymorphisms in the 3' end of the gene detectable with ApaI and TaqI restriction enzymes. A statistically significant difference was observed in the ApaI genotype distribution between cases and controls. Women with the VDR variant a allele containing genotypes showed a decreased risk for breast cancer [odds ratio (OR) 0.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.54-0.98] compared to women with the AA genotype. This association was especially strong among women with a positive family history of breast cancer (OR 0.14, 95% CI 0.03-0.76). Moreover, there was a trend (P for trend = 0.0007) for decreased risk with increasing number of variant alleles. The lowest risk of breast cancer was seen for the women with the aa genotype (OR 0.03, 95% CI 0.003-0.31) compared to women with the AA genotype. A tendency of decreased risk of breast cancer was also observed for the TaqI T allele containing genotypes (Tt and TT) (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.41-1.12), but because the distribution of Taql alleles in the controls missed the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P = 0.01), we were unable to properly assess the potential impact of the TaqI polymorphism in breast cancer susceptibility. In conclusion, our results suggest that the VDR ApaI genotype may be an important modifier of individual breast cancer risk among Finnish women, especially if they have a positive family history of breast cancer.     

维生素 D 受体基因多态性与儿童龋病易感性的 Meta 分析

目的:系统评价维生素 D 受体(VDR)基因多态性与儿童龋病易感性的关联性。 方法:计算机检索中国知网、万方、中国生物医学文献数据库和 PubMed、EMBase、the Cochrane Library、Web of Science 数据库,搜集 VDR 基因多态性与儿童龋病易感性相关的病例对照研究,检索时限从建库至 2021 年 9 月。 由 2 名研究者独立筛选文献、提取资料并评价纳入研究的偏倚风险后, 采用 Stata 15. 0 软件进行 Meta 分析。 结果:共纳入 6 个病例对照研究,包括病例组 1 160 例、对照组 827 例。 Meta 分析结果显示,VDR 基因 TaqI rs731236 多态性[tt+Tt vs. TT(OR= 0. 66,95%CI 0. 47 ~ 0. 92,P = 0. 013);Tt vs. TT(OR = 0. 66,95%CI 0. 47 ~0. 92,P = 0. 013)],FokI rs10735810 多态性[f vs. F(OR = 0. 75,95%CI 0. 59 ~ 0. 97,P = 0. 027);ff vs. Ff+FF(OR = 0. 54,95%CI0. 33~0. 87,P = 0. 011);ff vs. FF(OR= 0. 52,95%CI 0. 29~0. 92,P = 0. 025)]均与儿童龋病易感性存在显著相关性。 结论:当前证据表明 VDR TaqI、FokI 基因多态性与亚洲儿童龋病易感性存在显著关联。 受纳入研究数量及质量的限制,上述结论还需要更多高质量、大样本量的回顾性研究予以验证。     

Polymorphisms of methionine synthase and methionine synthase reductase and risk of lung cancer: a case-control analysis

Although tobacco is the major lung cancer risk factor, folate deficiency has also been implicated as a risk. Methionine synthase (MS; gene symbol, MTR) and methionine synthase reductase (MSR; gene symbol, MTRR) play important roles in the folate metabolism pathway. It was hypothesized that polymorphisms of MTR and MTRR are associated with lung cancer risk and interact with dietary intake of folate-related nutrients in lung cancer etiology. In a hospital-based, case-control study of 1,035 lung cancer cases and 1,148 controls of non-Hispanic whites, frequency matched by age, sex, ethnicity and smoking status, the MTR 2756A>G and MTRR 66A>G polymorphisms were genotyped. It was found that the MTRRG allele was associated with a significantly increased lung cancer risk [adjusted odd ratio (OR)=1.34, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.06-1.70 for the AG genotype and OR=1.39, 95% CI=1.08-1.78 for the GG genotype compared to the AA genotype]. Further analysis suggested some evidence of gene-diet interactions between the MTRR 66A>G polymorphism and dietary intake of total folate and vitamin B12. When the two polymorphisms were evaluated together by the number of the variant alleles (i.e. the MTR2756G and MTRR66A), lung cancer risk was significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner (Ptrend=0.045). The risk of lung cancer was 1.29 (0.98-1.69) for one variant allele, and 1.36 (1.04-1.77) for two or more variant alleles compared to the wild-type (0 variant allele) genotype. In conclusion, our data provide evidence supporting the association between the MTR 2756A>G and MTRR 66A>G polymorphisms and lung cancer risk, which may be modulated by dietary nutrient intake.     

Vitamin D receptor haplotypes protect against development of colorectal cancer

Objective We investigated the association of vitamin D receptor polymorphisms and colorectal cancer incidence in a Caucasian population. Methods Frequencies of the vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms 23005G>A (CDX-2), 27823C>T (FokI), 60890G>A (BsmI), 61050G>A (Tru9I), 61888G>T (ApaI), and 61968T>C (TaqI) were determined in a series of 256 colorectal cancer patients and 256 patients without malignant disease (case-control study) using polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism genotyping assays (PCR-RFLP). Haplotype analysis based on the six genetic loci was applied to the received genotypes. Results Pairwise linkage disequilibrium between BsmI, ApaI, TaqI, and Tru9I was confirmed (P < 0.001). Allele frequencies did not differ between the groups. There was no association between any single variant and colorectal cancer. However, haplotypes BsmI(G)#TaqI(C) and BsmI(A)#TaqI(T) were inversely associated with colorectal cancer incidence (P < 0.001), the odds being 15.0 times smaller [odds ratio (OR) 0.067; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.016–0.284] and 5.3 times smaller (OR 0.188; 95% CI 0.077–0.461), respectively, compared with noncarriers. Conclusion Our findings suggest that vitamin D receptor haplotypes BsmI(G)#TaqI(C) and BsmI(A)#TaqI(T) have a protective effect against colorectal cancer in Caucasians.     

Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms, particularly the novel A-1012G promoter polymorphism, are associated with vitamin D3 responsiveness and non-familial susceptibility in psoriasis

Psoriasis is a genetically determined disease characterized by hyperproliferation and disordered maturation of the epidermis. Th1 lymphocytes are implicated in its pathogenesis. The vitamin D receptor (VDR) is a candidate modifying gene, having immunosuppressive effects and being involved in anti-proliferative and pro-differentiation pathways in keratinocytes. There is suggestive evidence that the A allele of the A-1012G polymorphism is associated with down-regulation of the Th1 response, via GATA-3. The F and T alleles of Fok1 and Taq1 have been associated with increased VDR activity. The present study aimed to test the hypothesis that the A allele of A-1012G is protective for occurrence and severity of psoriasis and enhances therapeutic response to vitamin D analogues and that these effects would be additive to those of Fok1 and Taq1. The study group comprised 206 psoriasis patients who had received topical calcipotriol treatment and 80 controls. There was no significant linkage disequilibrium between any pair of the three polymorphic sites (P=0.3-0.8). The A, F and T alleles were positively associated with calcipotriol response: AA genotype (compared to AG/GG), odds ratio (OR)=2.18 (P=0.04); TT, OR=1.97 (P=0.03); AAFF genotype combination, OR=4.11 (P=0.03); AATT, OR=5.64 (P=0.005); and FFTT, OR=3.22 (P=0.01). Comparing patients without, to patients with, a family history of psoriasis, the A allele was under represented (P=0.01) and the AAFF genotype combination even more so (compared to residual genotypes) (OR=0.24; P=0.005). AAFF was also under-represented in patients without a family history compared to controls (OR=0.31; P=0.04). There were no associations of family history with Fok1 and Taq1. There were no associations of severity of psoriasis with any polymorphism. In conclusion, the A-1012G, Fok1 and Taq1 VDR polymorphisms were associated with response to calcipotriol. A-1012G and Fok1 were associated with susceptibility to non-familial psoriasis.     

Vitamin D receptor genotypes influence the success of calcitriol therapy for recurrent vertebral fracture in osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a complex multi-factorial disease where environment, diet and genetics play a role in determining susceptibility. Patients with existing vertebral fracture have a heightened risk of further recurrent vertebral fracture. The efficacy of new osteoporosis therapies is often compared to calcium supplementation. 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (calcitriol) acts through the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and is effective at reducing recurrent vertebral fracture risk. Because the VDR controls calcium metabolism, we hypothesized that genetic variation at the VDR locus may influence response to both calcium and calcitriol therapy. Postmenopausal women with osteoporosis from a 3-year study comparing calcitriol versus calcium for prevention of vertebral fractures were genotyped for VDR alleles detected by FokI, BsmI, ApaI and TaqI. Data were analysed by hierarchical log-linear analysis and robust analysis of variance for relationships to fracture outcomes. Significant differences in the vertebral fracture rate in response to calcium therapy were observed between VDR genotypes (P<0.001). Calcium appeared to be equally effective as calcitriol in particular genotypes. The response to calcitriol therapy was most pronounced in patients carrying the TaqI t allele in combination with the FokI f initiation codon variant: f+t+ carriers were 11.3-fold less likely to sustain recurrent vertebral fracture in the last 2 years of the trial while on calcitriol therapy compared to calcium (P=1.4x10(-5)). Response to both calcium and calcitriol therapy is dependent on genetic variation at the VDR locus and two loci in the VDR gene may contribute to this effect.     

维生素D受体基因多态性与特发性癫痫的相关性

目的：探讨维生素D受体基因多态性与特发性癫痫的相关性。方法：通过病例对照研究方法，选取91例特发性癫痫患者作为病例组，另选取同期105例健康者作为对照组，抽取所有研究对象外周静脉血提取DNA，采用PCR直接测序法进行维生素D受体基因BsmI（rs1544410）、FokI（rs2228570）、Cdx2（rs11568820）位点多态性检测。结果：病例组与对照组的BsmI与FokI位点基因型频率和等位基因频率无显著差异（P>0.05）；Cdx2位点基因型频率存在显著差异（χ²=6.67，P=0.036），等位基因频率无显著差异，该位点发生A/G变异，分布不处于Hardy-Weinberg遗传平衡。在Cdx2位点基因型与特发性癫痫关联性分析中，病例组中Cdx2位点AG基因型是特发性癫痫发病的危险因素（OR=2.222，95% CI：1.190~4.150，P=0.027）。结论：维生素D受体基因Cdx2位点多态性与特发性癫痫具有关联性。     

Role of vitamin D and vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms on residual beta cell function in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Background

After the onset of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), preservation of the residual ß-cell function can help good metabolic control. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of vitamin D and its receptor gene polymorphisms on residual ß-cells function.

维生素D受体基因多态性位点rs7975232与肺癌发病风险的相关性

目的探讨维生素D受体基因rs7975232位点与汉族人群肺癌发病风险的相关性。方法用直接测序法对72例肺癌患者及67名健康对照者进行单核苷酸多态性位点检测,采用ABI3700XL基因分析仪测序。结果维生素D受体基因rs7975232位点等位基因A携带者肺癌发病风险明显低于等位基因C携带者[比值比（OR）=0．501,95％置信区间（CI）为0．273～0．920,P=0．026]。rs7975232位点可能与鳞癌发病相关（等位基因之比：OR=0．274,95％CI为0．087～0．861,P=0．027;显性基因模型：OR=0．269,95％C,为0．074—0．971,P=0．045）。结论维生素D受体基因rs7975232位点与肺癌发病相关。     

维生素D受体基因多态性对肾移植患者术后早期他克莫司浓度的影响

目的 研究维生素D受体(vitamin D receptor,VDR)基因多态性对肾移植术后早期他克莫司浓度的影响。方法 以360例使用他克莫司联合霉酚酸类药物以及糖皮质激素三联抗排异方案的肾移植患者为研究对象,检测患者CYP3A5 (rs776746)、VDR(VDR ApaI rs7975232,VDR BsmI rs1544410,VDR FokI rs2228570和VDR TaqI rs731236)基因型,比较分析不同基因型患者肾移植术后7 d时他克莫司血药浓度(concentration,C)、剂量(dose,D)以及浓度剂量比(ratio of concentration to dose,C/D)的差异。结果 CYP3A5非表达组(GG型)患者他克莫司的C和C/D均显著高于CYP3A5表达组(AA和AG型)(P<0.05)。以CYP3A5基因型进行分层后,在CYP3A5非表达组中VDR ApaI rs7975232 AA型患者C/D显著低于AC和CC型患者(P<0.05),然而在CYP3A5表达组中VDR ApaI rs7975232各基因型的C和C/D差异无统计学意义。此外,无论在CYP3A5表达组还是非表达组中,VDR BsmI rs1544410,VDR TaqI rs731236及VDR FokI rs2228570各基因型之间他克莫司的C、D和C/D差异均无统计学意义。结论 VDR ApaI rs7975232基因多态性与CYP3A5非表达组肾移植患者早期他克莫司血药浓度具有相关性,该基因型检测可能有助于指导肾移植患者他克莫司个体化用药。     

Interaction effects between estrogen receptor α and vitamin D receptor genes on age at menarche in Chinese women

AIM: To evaluate whether estrogen receptor alpha (ER-alpha) and vitamin D receptor (VDR) genes are associated with the age at menarche in Chinese women. METHODS: A total of 390 pre-menopausal Chinese women were genotyped at the ER-alpha PvuII, XbaI, and VDR ApaI loci using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). RESULTS: Neither the ER-alpha gene nor the VDR gene individually had significant effects on the age at menarche in our subjects (P>0.10). However, evidence of interaction effects between the two genes were observed: with the aa genotype at the VDR ApaI locus, subjects with haplotype PX at the ER-alpha gene had, on average, 6 months later onset of menarche than the non-carriers (P=0.01). CONCLUSION: We found that neither the ER-alpha gene or the VDR gene had a significant association with the age at menarche individually. However, potential interaction effects between the two genes were observed in Chinese women.     

Dietary micronutrients and gastric cancer: hospital based study

The association between micronutrients and gastric cancer is still unclear. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between dietary intake of micronutrients and risk for gastric cancer. We used data from hospital-based case control study conducted at Clinical Centre Nis (Serbia) from 2005 and 2006. Patients (n=102) with first histologically confirmed gastric cancer and matched non-cancer patients (controls, n=204) were interviewed using structured questionnaire and FFQ (Food frequency questionnaire). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed a significant positive association between gastric cancer and dietary intake of sodium (OR=6.22; 95%CI 1.99–7.86), but a significant negative association between potassium (OR 0.01; 95%CI 0.00–0.08), iron (OR 0.05; 95%CI 0.01–0.56), vitamin C (OR 0.05; 95%CI 0.01–0.38), vitamin E (OR 0.04; 95%CI 0.01–0.29) and niacin (OR 0.07; 95%CI 0.00–0.38) dietary intake. Intake of phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, zinc, retinol, β carotene, tiamin, vitamin B6, and folic acid was not significantly related to gastric cancer risk.     

Comparison of GSTM polymorphisms and risk for oral cancer between African-Americans and Caucasians

Two members of the mu class of glutathione S-transferase (GST) genes, GSTM1 and GSTM3, have polymorphic alleles which have been associated with altered levels of GST mu protein expression and may be linked to increased risk for several tobacco-related cancers. Oral cancer is a tobacco-related disease that affects African-American men at a significantly higher incidence than Caucasian men. To examine the potential role of GSTM polymorphisms in risk for oral cancer in African-Americans and Caucasians, the prevalences of the GSTM1 null and GSTM3 intron 6 polymorphisms were examined in 63 African-American and 101 Caucasian patients with histologically confirmed primary oral cancer, as well as in 133 African-American and 213 Caucasian matched control subjects. In African-Americans, the odds ratio for oral cancer associated with the GSTM1 (0/0) genotype was 3.1 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.1-8.5], with the association between the GSTM1 (0/0) genotype and oral cancer risk strongest in heavy smokers [i.e. > 24 pack-years; odds ratio (OR) = 5.4, 95% CI = 1.2-24]. Using the potentially most protective GSTM1 [+]/GSTM3 (B/B) genotype as the reference group, increased risk for oral cancer was observed in African-Americans with the GSTM1 [+]/GSTM3 [(A/A) + (A/B)] (OR = 2.2, 95% CI = 0.82-6.0), GSTM1 (0/0)/GSTM3 (B/B) (OR = 4.3, 95% CI = 1.1-16), and GSTM1 (0/0)/GSTM3 [(A/A) + (A/B)] (OR = 6.6, 95% CI = 1.2-38) genotypes (P < 0.01, trend test). No significant associations were observed between GSTM genotype and oral cancer risk in Caucasians. These results suggest that the GSTM1 null and GSTM3 intron 6 polymorphisms play an important role in risk for oral cancer among African-Americans and implicates the mu class of GSTs as important tobacco carcinogen detoxifying enzymes in this population.     

Naturalistic pharmacogenetic study of treatment resistance to typical neuroleptics in European-Brazilian schizophrenics

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore the influence of variation in DRD2, DRD3, CYP2D6, CYP3A4, and CYP3A5 genes on treatment resistance to typical neuroleptics in a Brazilian sample of patients with schizophrenia. METHODS: One polymorphism at DRD2 gene, five at DRD3, 24 at CYP2D6, nine at CYP3A4 gene, and one at CYP3A5 gene were genotyped in a sample of 186 patients with schizophrenia. RESULTS: From the nine studied CYP3A4 single nucleotide polymorphisms, only the -392A>G was polymorphic, and significant associations were observed between this single nucleotide polymorphism and efficacy of neuroleptic treatment. Homozygous individuals for the -392A variant [P=0.014, odds ratio (OR)=3.32] were more frequent in the treatment-resistant group, compared with carriers of one copy of the -392G variant. The CYP3A5 low expressor genotype (CYP3A5*3/CYP3A5*3) was found to be associated with refractoriness to neuroleptic treatment (P=0.003, OR=3.16). Among the haplotypes observed in DRD3 gene, the T/A/G/A/C haplotype showed an association with refractoriness to neuroleptics (chi=5.342, P=0.021, OR=1.75). This association showed that carriers of one copy of this haplotype presented intermediate values between noncarriers and homozygous individuals for the haplotype. No association was observed with polymorphisms in DRD2 and CYP2D6 genes. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that the number of copies of DRD3 T/A/G/A/C haplotype and CYP3A5 low expressor genotype were predictors of refractoriness to neuroleptic after controlling for selected risk factors. CYP3A5*3 individuals carrying at least one copy of the T/A/G/A/C haplotype showed a higher risk to be refractory to neuroleptics than CYP3A5*3 homozygotes+non-T/A/G/A/C carriers (chi=5.533, P=0.019, OR=2.32, 95% confidence interval=1.08-5.02). No significant associations were observed with DRD2 and CYP2D6 polymorphisms. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest a role for CYP3A5 and DRD3 gene variants on refractoriness to neuroleptic treatment in Brazilians with schizophrenia.     

MBL2关键遗传变异对肺癌发病风险的影响

目的分析MBL2基因启动子区rs11003125C>G遗传变异与肺癌易感性的关系。方法使用聚合酶链式反应-限制性片段长度多态性分析(PCR-RLFP)的方法对2008年1月-2012年12月华北理工大学附属唐山工人医院收治的肺癌患者706例(病例组)及健康对照706例(对照组)的MBL2 rs11003125多态位点进行基因分型。用Logistic回归分析统计两个位点各基因型影响肺癌发病风险的OR值及95%CI。结果与MBL2 rs11003125CC基因型携带者相比,携带rs11003125CG基因型的个体发生肺癌的风险显著降低(OR=0.73,95%CI=0.57~0.93,P=0.010)。年龄分层显示,在≤60岁组中,携带rs11003125CG基因型的个体具有较低的肺癌发病风险(OR=0.67,95%CI=0.48~0.92,P=0.015)。吸烟分层显示,在吸烟组中,携带rs11003125CG基因型的个体肺癌发病风险较低(OR=0.61,95%CI=0.40~0.92,P=0.023)。结论 MBL2基因启动子区rs11003125 CG基因型降低肺癌的发病风险。     

Vitamin D and prevention of breast cancer

Epidemiologic data have demonstrated that breast cancer incidence is inversely correlated with indices of vitamin D status, including ultraviolet exposure, which enhances epidermal vitamin D synthesis. The vitamin D receptor （VDR） is expressed in mammary epithelial cells, suggesting that vitamin D may directly influence sensitivity of the gland to transformation. Consistent with this concept, in vitro studies have demonstrated that the VDR ligand, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D （1, 25D）, exerts negative growth regulatory effects on mammary epithelial cells that contribute to maintenance of the differentiated phenotype. Furthermore, deletion of the VDR gene in mice alters the balance between proliferation and apoptosis in the mammary gland, which ultimately enhances its susceptibility to carcinogenesis. In addition, dietary supplementation with vitamin D, or chronic treatment with synthetic VDR agonists, reduces the incidence of carcinogen-induced mammary tumors in rodents. Collectively, these observations have reinforced the need to further define the human requirement for vitamin D and the molecular actions of the VDR in relation to prevention of breast cancer.     

Polymorphisms within glutathione S-transferase genes and initial response to glucocorticoids in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

In children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) treated according to protocols of the Berlin-Frankfurt-Münster (BFM) study group, the initial response to prednisone is the strongest predictor of therapy outcome. Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) have been implicated in glucocorticoid resistance. In order to assess a potential association of phenotypically relevant GST polymorphisms with prednisone response in childhood ALL, we conducted a case-control study of 45 prednisone poor-responders (cases) and 90 prednisone good-responders (controls) who were frequency matched according to initial white blood cell count. In addition, we analysed the association of GST genotypes with relapse of leukaemia. In univariate analysis, homozygous deletion of GSTT1 (null genotype) conferred a 6.7-fold reduction in risk of prednisone poor-response compared to individuals who were either heterozygous or homozygous for GSTT1 [odds ratio (OR) = 0.15, P = 0.071; multivariate odds ratio = 0.18, P = 0.117]. GSTM1 and GSTP1 genotypes did not show any association with prednisone response. In addition, risk of relapse was predicted strongest by the GSTT1 genotype. In univariate analysis, the GSTT1 null genotype conferred a 5.9-fold reduction in risk of relapse compared to the heterozygous or homozygous presence of GSTT1 (OR = 0.17, P = 0.095; multivariate OR = 0.23; P = 0.173). No associations of the GSTM1 genotype with risk of relapse were observed. GSTP1 codon 105 and codon 114 polymorphisms were predominantely associated with central nervous system relapse. Our results add further support to the hypothesis that genetic polymorphisms within specific GST genes might be of clinical importance in childhood ALL.     

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in promoter of angiotensin II type 1 receptor gene associated with essential hypertension and coronary heart disease in Chinese population

AIM: To discover single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter region of angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1) gene and evaluate their associations with the occurrence of essential hypertension (EH) and coronary heart disease (CHD) in Chinese Han population. METHODS: SNPs detection was performed by PCR-sequencing. The genotype was determined by the same method in a total number of 473 unrelated patients including 160 EH cases, 128 CHD cases, and 185 EH combined with CHD cases as well as 160 healthy controls. RESULTS: Six SNPs were discovered in the promoter region of AT1 gene. -810A/T was almost in completely linkage disequilibrium with -713G/T, -214A/C, -213G/C, and -153A/G polymorphisms. No statistically association was found in our population between -810A/T polymorphism and EH, the association of -810A allele and CHD was of borderline significant (chi2=3.649, P=0.056). However, significant differences of genotype distributions were observed in the EH combined with CHD group (TT=126, TA=51, AA=8) compared with the EH patients (TT=127,TA=26, AA=7, chi2=6.410, P=0.041) and the healthy controls (TT=130, TA=24, AA=6, chi2=7.742, P=0.021). The EH combined with CHD patients had a significantly increased A allele frequency than the normal references (0.181 vs 0.106, chi2=7.690, P=0.006) and the EH subjects (0.181 vs 0.125, chi2=4.119, P=0.042). Hypertensive patients carrying TA genotype (OR=1.977, 95 % CI 1.160-3.354, P=0.011) or A allele (OR=1.548, 95 % CI 1.015-2.361, P=0.043) had an increased risk for CHD morbidity. CONCLUSION: we firstly report that -810A/T polymorphism in the promoter region of AT1 gene might be a genetic risk factor for the pathogenesis of CHD complicated with EH in Chinese Han population.     

ACE基因多态性与2型糖尿病肾病的相关性研究

目的 探讨血管紧张素Ⅰ转换酶(ACE)基因的插入／缺失多态性与2型糖尿病(type 2 diabetes mellitus，T2DM)患合并肾病的关系。方法采用聚合酶链反应技术检测109例T2DM患(其中合并肾病患37例，未发生肾病患72例)和260例健康对照组ACE基因插入／缺失多态性。结果糖尿病肾病患的DD基因型频率和D等位基因频率有高于无肾病糖尿病患组的趋势，其频率差异接近显性水准(75．7％vs55．6％，P=0．070；87．8％vs77．1％，P=0．057)。DD基因型糖尿病患合并肾病的频率高于其他基因型，差异有统计学意义(41．2％vs22．0％，P=0．040)。对糖尿病病程与ACE基因多态性的交互作用分析发现，DD基因型与5年以上病程存在交互作用(OR=3．75，95％CI；1．019～13．795)。结论ACE基因的DD基因型可增高T2DM患并发肾病的危险性，并且与糖尿病病程有交互作用。