Association between osteoporosis and polymorphisms of the IL-10 and TGF-beta genes in Turkish postmenopausal women

Osteoporosis is a multifactorial disease in which genetic determinants are modulated by hormonal, environmental and nutritional factors. The balance between bone resorption and bone formation seems to be regulated by a variety of growth factors and cytokines. An important clinical risk factor in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis is the presence of genetic polymorphisms in susceptibility genes. In this study, we investigated the association between osteoporosis and interleukin 10 (IL-10) −597 C>A and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) T869C (also named Leu10>Pro) polymorphisms in Turkish postmenopausal women. Genomic DNA obtained from 255 individuals (152 osteoporotic and 103 healthy controls). The DNA sample was isolated from peripheral bloods by salting-out method and analyzed by the techniques of PCR-RFLP. Genotype and allele frequencies were calculated and data were analyzed using the χ² test. We found a statistically significant difference between the groups with respect to IL-10 genotype distribution (p = 0.001) and allele frequencies (p < 0.0002). However, we did not found any difference between the groups with regarding TGF-β1 genotype distribution and allele frequencies (p > 0.05). In the combined genotype analysis, IL-10/TGF-β1 CCCC combine genotype was also estimated risk factor for osteoporosis in Turkish postmenopausal women (p = 0.026). To our knowledge, this is the first report to examine IL-10 gene −597 C>A polymorphism and osteoporosis in Turkish population.     

Association of interleukin (IL)-4 gene intron 3 VNTR polymorphism with multiple sclerosis in Turkish population

Objective

Genetic risk factors are known to contribute to the etiology of multiple sclerosis (MS). Interleukin (IL)-4 gene polymorphisms have been associated with immune-mediated diseases. The aim of this study was to explore the frequency of IL-4 gene intron 3 VNTR (variable number tandem repeat) polymorphism in a cohort of Turkish patients with MS.

Methods

The study included 125 patients with MS and 160 healthy controls. Genomic DNA was isolated and genotyped using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses for the IL-4 gene intron 3 VNTR polymorphism.

Results

The distribution of genotype and allele frequencies of IL-4 gene intron 3 VNTR polymorphism was statistically different between MS patients and control group (p = 0.003 and p = 0.002, respectively). There were no statistically significant association between IL-4 VNTR polymorphism and clinical and demographical characteristics of MS patients.

Conclusion

The results of this study suggest that intron 3 VNTR polymorphism of the IL-4 gene was positively associated with predisposition to develop MS in Turkish population.     

Challenges of acute phase neuroimaging in VA-ECMO,pitfalls and alternative imaging options

Large vessel occlusion in patients on ECMO is challenging to appreciate clinically secondary to sedation or induced paralysis, thus placing more emphasis on neurovascular imaging. However, emergent CTA and CTP are both inaccurate and unreliable in ECMO patients due to altered circuitry and interference with normal physiologic hemodynamics. In this review, the utility of DSA is discussed in evaluating the altered hemodynamics of VA-ECMO circuits and patency of major vasculature. In addition, the potential use of TCD in ECMO patients is discussed.