Sildenafil affects olfactory function

PURPOSE: Sildenafil is the first member of a new class of oral drugs effective for erectile dysfunction. However, approximately 20% of patients complain about nasal congestion after sildenafil administration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Because nasal airflow and olfaction are closely linked, the sense of smell was evaluated in 20 young, healthy volunteers after the administration of 50 and 100 mg sildenafil, and placebo in a double-blinded, crossover study. Olfactory function was evaluated using a standardized and validated test (Sniffin' Sticks). To investigate a possible impact of G-protein beta3 subunit C825T polymorphism on the effect of sildenafil on olfaction the genotype of all subjects was determined. RESULTS: The effect of sildenafil on olfaction was only present at a dose of 100 mg but not at a dose of 50 mg sildenafil. The genotypes TT, CC and TC of the G-protein beta3 C825T polymorphism had no impact on the change in olfactory function. CONCLUSIONS: Higher sildenafil doses may produce decreased olfactory sensitivity.     

Association study of the G-protein β3 subunit C825T polymorphism with disease progression in patients with bladder cancer

The T-allele in the GNB3 C825T polymorphism has been associated with increased cell migration, a prerequisite for metastasis. In this study we investigated a potential association of the C825T-allele status and disease progression in patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder (TCC). Genotyping of the GNB3 C825T polymorphism was performed in 389 patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder and in 104 control subjects and clinical follow-up was worked up in 339 patients. Genotype distribution in 389 patients with bladder cancer was comparable to genotype distribution of the control group. There was no association of GNB3 C825T genotype with tumor stage or grade, but follow-up analysis in the subgroup of non-smokers revealed a shorter time to metastasis in 825T-allele carriers compared to individuals homozygous CC. The genotype of the GNB3 C825T polymorphism appears to influence the biological behavior of tumor disease in non-smoking TCC patients. This work was supported by a grant of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft     

GNB3 C825T等位基因多态性与原发性IgA肾病相关性研究

目的：研究G蛋白β3亚基（GNB3）C825T等位基因多态性与原发性IgA肾病（IgAN）的发生与病情进展。方法：病例组为216例原发性IgAN患者,对照组为200例健康志愿者。采用聚合酶链式反应-限制性片段长度多态性（PCR-RFLP）技术检测各组GNB3 825位点基因型。病例组分为高血压组与非高血压组;同时按基因型的不同将病例组分为TT组、CT组与CC组。结果：（1）病例组与对照组TT、CT、CC基因型频率分别为21.76%、54.63%、23.61%与18.00%、47.00%、35.00%,两组TT、TC、TT＋TC基因型与CC基因型分布频率存在统计学差异（P〈0.05）;病例组T等位基因分布频率高于对照组（49.07%vs 41.50%,P〈0.05）。（2）216例IgAN中,高血压组与非高血压组TT、CT、CC基因型频率分别为32.88%、49.31%、17.81%与16.09%、57.34%、26.57%（P〈0.05）。高血压组T等位基因频率较非高血压组明显增加（57.53%vs 44.76%,P〈0.05）。（3）病例组不同基因型携带者病理分级轻重无统计学差异（P〉0.05）。（4）病例组中不同基因型携带者在性别、年龄、体重指数、尿蛋白排泄量（〉1 g/d）、血肌酐水平、血胆固醇水平及三酰甘油水平无统计学差异（P〉0.05）,而高尿酸血症的发生存在统计学差异（P〈0.05）,TT组高尿酸血症患者较CT组及CC组高。结论：（1）病例组TT基因型和T等位基因频率较对照组明显增加,结果显示GNB3 825T等位基因可能与IgA肾病的发病有关,提示该基因可能与IgA肾病的遗传易感性相关。（2）GNB3 825T等位基因能影响IgA肾病患者高血压、高尿酸血症的发生。GNB3C825T等位基因多态性与IgA肾病发病及病情进展的相关机制有待进一步研究。     

Genotyp des GNB3-C825T-Polymorphismus

Background

G protein-mediated signal transduction plays a key role in pathways of metastasis. A C/T polymorphism (dbSNP rs5443) at position 825 of the GNB3 gene has been described. Previous studies demonstrated an association between the GNB3 C825T genotype and different cancer entities.

Patients and methods

In this report genotyping for this marker was performed in 235 prostate cancer patients and 111 healthy control subjects. Clinical follow-up data were available for a subset of 197 patients.

Results

Neither significant evidence for differences in genotype distributions between the prostate cancer cases and controls (odds ratio CT/TT=0.94, 95% CI 0.58?C1.51, p=.82) nor evidence for genotype differences in e.g. progression-free survival in the subset of patients was observable (hazard ratio CT/TT=0.77, 95% CI 0.44?C1.37, p=.38). Similar results were obtained in the subgroup of patients with primary tumor stage ?? pT2 N0 M0 undergoing radical prostatectomy.

Conclusion

Our data do not support an association between prostate cancer and the genotype of the GNB3 C825T polymorphism. This finding might either indicate a much smaller genetic effect undetectable with the given sample size or a possible hormone dependence of the disease superimposed on the potential effect of the GNB3 C825T genotype.     

G protein beta3 subunit C825T polymorphism in primary IgA nephropathy

BACKGROUND: The T allele of the G protein beta3 subunit (GNB3) C825T polymorphism has been associated with increased signal transduction, increased activity of the kidney Na+/H+ exchanger, and also with late-onset essential hypertension. Hypertension is a strong independent risk factor for progression in IgA nephropathy (IgAN). METHODS: We have studied this polymorphism in a regularly followed cohort of 299 biopsy-proven incident cases of IgAN, collected from 1989 to 1999 [208 males (70%)] and compared the genotypes and alleles distributions to 303 local Caucasian controls matched for the male predominance (214 males). The technique used was a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) with BseDI as restriction enzyme and specific primers, followed by gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: The TT, CT, and CC genotype frequencies were 13.7%, 45.8%, and 40.5% in IgAN, respectively, versus 7.6%, 47.2%, and 45.2% in controls, respectively (chi(2)= 6.16; P= 0.05). The excess of TT patients versus non-TT was significant in IgAN versus controls (chi(2)= 5.94; P= 0.015). The T allele frequency was 0.366 in IgAN versus 0.312 in controls (chi(2)= 3.97; P= 0.05). This data indicated that this polymorphism had a significant but mild influence on the occurrence/initiation of IgAN (RR = 1.81; 95% CI 1.07-3.07). In contrast, we could not demonstrate any significant and sustained difference in the clinical presentation and evolution of the homozygous TT patients compared to non-TT patients (CC + CT) despite a mean and median follow-up about 10 years. The progression to arterial hypertension or to chronic renal failure or to end-stage renal failure (ESRF) was not significantly different. In addition, multivariate Cox regression analysis excluded a significant independent role of C825T polymorphism on progression. CONCLUSION: The C825T GNB3 polymorphism had a mild influence on occurrence/initiation of IgAN, but played no significant role in the progression of the disease.     

Genetic association study of the GNB3 C825T,the ACE I/D and the eNOS G894T polymorphisms and the risk to develop erectile dysfunction in a German ED population

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is often associated with cardiovascular disorders such as hypertension, coronary heart disease, hypercholesterolaemia and diabetes mellitus. The genotypes in the GNB3 C825T, the ACE I/D and the eNOS G894T polymorphisms have been identified as genetic risk factors for cardiovascular disorders. The association between the genotypes in these polymorphisms and the risk to develop ED was analysed. In 455 German ED patients and 111 age‐matched healthy controls genotyping in the candidate polymorphisms was performed after DNA extraction from whole blood. Association studies between the genotype distribution in the control group in comparison with the ED‐group and age of onset of the disease as well as erectile response to intracorporal prostaglandin injection in dependence of candidate polymorphism genotype were performed using the SPSS‐Software®. Genotype distribution of the GNB3 C825T, the ACE I/D and the eNOS G894T polymorphisms was similar in the ED population and the healthy control group. The age of onset of the disease as well as the erectile response to intracorporal prostaglandin injection was independent of the genotypes in the three candidate polymorphisms. In contrast to the previous studies in this analysis, the risk to develop ED is not influenced by the genotypes in the GNB3 C825T, the ACE I/D and the eNOS G894T polymorphisms.     

G-Protein beta(3) subunit C825T variant, nephropathy and hypertension in patients with type 2 (Non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND: There is substantial evidence that hereditary factors contribute to the predisposition to diabetic nephropathy. On the other hand, it has been suggested that genetics of diabetic nephropathy and hypertension may overlap. Recently, a C to T substitution (C825T) in the gene encoding for the guanine-nucleotide-binding protein beta(3) subunit (GNB3) was identified, and this molecular variant was found to be associated with enhanced activation of G proteins and increased risk of the development of hypertension. The aim of the study was to test whether GNB3 C825T polymorphism contributes to the development of incipient or overt nephropathy or hypertension in type 2 diabetic patients. METHODS: GNB3 genotype was determined in 130 type 2 diabetic patients with overt proteinuria or chronic renal failure, 155 diabetic patients with microalbuminuria and 163 control subjects with normoalbuminuria and known type 2 diabetes duration of at least 10 years. RESULTS: No differences in GNB3 genotype distributions or allele frequencies between the study groups were found. Also, no differences between normotensive and hypertensive patients were demonstrated. CONCLUSION: The study provided evidence against the major impact of the GNB3 C825T polymorphism on the increased risk of the development of nephropathy or hypertension in type 2 diabetic patients.     

Donor G protein beta3 subunit 825TT genotype is associated with reduced kidney allograft survival.

Recent studies have identified a novel polymorphism (C825T) of the gene encoding the beta3 subunit of heterotrimeric G proteins (Gbeta3), associated with enhanced activation of G proteins, which appears to be more common in hypertensive patients. In the present study, the relationship between this genetic variant and kidney allograft survival was examined over the first 3 yr after transplantation, in 320 consecutive Caucasian patients recruited from the Berlin-Steglitz transplantation center between 1988 and 1993. Clinical parameters, transplantation data, and details of graft survival were retrieved from clinical records. After multivariate adjustment for covariates (Cox hazard regression), the Gbeta3 825TT donor-genotype was associated with a significantly decreased graft survival representing a relative risk of graft loss of 2.2 (95% confidence interval, 1.1 to 4.8) compared to TC and CC grafts within the observation period. This association between donor TT genotype and graft survival remained stable even after stepwise exclusion of covariates from the multivariate model. In contrast, there was no significant relationship between recipient genotype and allograft function. These findings indicate that individuals receiving renal allografts from donors homozygous for the Gbeta3-825T allele may have an increased risk of developing allograft failure. Additional studies on the role of this genetic marker as well as the role of pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins in the development of chronic rejection appear warranted.     

CD14基因启动子区-159位点多态性在重度烧伤患者中的分布及意义

目的 了解CD14基因启动子-159C/T基因多态性与严重烧伤患者CD14 mRNA表达及血浆可溶性CD14(sCD14)水平的关系.方法 2004年6月-2006年6月,选择2个笔者单位收治的烧伤总面积大于或等于30%TBSA的患者77例,分别于伤后1、3、5、7、14、21、28 d抽取患者静脉血,采用PCR-限制性片段长度多态性法检测血浆CD14-159C/T基因多态性,酶联免疫吸附测定法、RT-PCR法检测患者血浆sCD14的含量及白细胞CD14 mRNA表达.结果 77例患者的CD14基因C-159T基因型中,CC纯合子型7例占9.1%、TC杂合子型49例占63.6%、TT等位基因纯合子型21例占27.3%,T等位基因和C等位基因分布频率分别为59.1%和40.9%.经检验表明,此研究群体达到了Hard-Weinberg平衡.7例CC纯合子型患者中并发脓毒症3例占42.9%,49例TC杂合子型并发该症38例占77.6%,21例TT等位基因纯合子型并发该症15例占71.4%.3例CC纯合子型脓毒症患者中,1例出现MODS;38例TC杂合子型脓毒症患者19例出现MODS占50.0%;15例TT等位基因纯合子型脓毒症患者10例出现MODS占66.7%.伤后7～21 d TC杂合子型、TT等位基因纯合子型患者外周血CD14 mRNA表达明显高于CC纯合子型患者(P＜0.05或P＜0.01).伤后7d TC杂合子型、TT等位基因纯合子型患者CD14 mRNA表达达高峰,分别为1.18±0.25、1.15±0.35.烧伤后TC杂合子型、TT等位基因纯合子型患者血浆中sCD14含量较高,伤后5 d CC纯合子型患者血浆sCD14含量(85±46)μg/L显著低于TC杂合子型患者[(134±43)μg/L,P＜0.01];伤后21、28 d TC杂合子型、TT等位基因纯合子型患者sCD14含量明显高于CC纯合子型患者(P＜0.01).结论 大面积烧伤后CD14基因启动子-159位点多态性TT基因型可能是烧伤感染患者发生MODS的主要基因标志物之一.携带TT基因型的烧伤脓毒症患者并发MODS概率高于其他基因型.     

Transmission of G-protein beta3 subunit C825T alleles to offspring affected with end-stage renal disease.

BACKGROUND: Results of epidemiological studies have suggested that a hereditary predisposition to the development of chronic renal failure exists, and that such predisposition might be independent from underlying etiology of kidney disease. On the other hand, high blood pressure contributes substantially to a faster rate of progression of renal damage, regardless of underlying etiology of kidney disease. In this study we tested whether GNB3 C825T polymorphism, previously reported to be associated with hypertension, contributes to predisposition to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). METHODS: GNB3 polymorphism was genotyped in 247 family trios: offspring affected with ESRD and both parents, and transmission/disequilibrium test was used to establish the allele-phenotype association. Among the examined offspring, 47 patients had ESRD in the course of type 1 diabetes and diabetic nephropathy, 120 had primary glomerulonephritis and 80 had interstitial nephritis. We observed no significant differences between the GNB3 C and T allele transmission from heterozygous parents to affected offspring. RESULTS: In the overall group of examined patients, the C:T allele transmission (%) was 48:52, while in patients with diabetic nephropathy, chronic glomerulonephritis and chronic interstitial nephritis the transmission was (%) 50:50, 48:52 and 48:52, respectively. CONCLUSION: The results of our study suggest that GNB3 C825T polymorphism does not contribute substantially to the increased risk of the development of ESRD.     

G protein polymorphisms do not predict weight loss and improvement of hypertension in severely obese patients

Both the gene encoding the α subunit of G stimulatory proteins (GNAS1) and the β3 subunit gene (GNB3) of G proteins are associated with obesity and/or hypertension. Moreover, the TT/TC825 polymorphism of GNB3 predicts greater weight loss than the CC825 polymorphism in obese patients (mean body mass index, 35 kg/m²) undergoing a structured nonpharmacologic weight loss program. Gastric banding enforces a low-calorie diet by diminishing the need for volitional adherence. It is unknown whether these polymorphisms predict the variable weight loss in patients after bariatric surgery. Three hundred and four severely obese patients (mean +- SEM age, 42 +- 1 years; 245 women and 59 men; mean +- SEM body mass index, 43.9 +- 0.3 kg/m²) followed prospectively for at least 3 years after surgery were genotyped for theGNB3C825T, G814A,andGNAS1T393 polymorphisms. All analyses were performed blinded to the phenotypic characteristics of the study group. Frequencies of polymorphisms were comparable to those previously published. No polymorphism studied predicted 3-year weight loss or was associated with high blood pressure in severely obese patients after gastric banding. Multivariate analysis of potentially confounding factors such as reoperation rate or use of sibutramine or orlistat revealed similar results (P > 0.1). Regardless of the mechanism(s) involved for these discordant findings, GNB3 C825T, G814A, and GNAS1 T393C polymorphisms do not seem to be reliable predictors of long-term weight loss. Presented at the Forty-Fifth Annual Meeting of The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, New Orleans, Louisiana, May 15–19, 2004 (oral presentation).     

Megsin 2093T-2180C haplotype at the 3' untranslated region is associated with poor renal survival in Korean IgA nephropathy patients

AIMS: Megsin is a mesangial cell-predominant gene which belongs to the serpin superfamily. The expression of megsin was upregulated and coincided with mesangial proliferation and extracellular matrix expansion in IgA nephropathy (IgAN). In the present study, we evaluated the influence of the C2093T and C2180T polymorphism within the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of megsin gene and its haplotypes on the development and progression of Korean IgAN patients. METHODS: Korean IgAN patients (n = 260) with a minimal follow-up of 4 years were recruited. Healthy subjects with normal renal function, normal urinalysis and normotension (n = 315) were included as controls. The polymorphisms were determined by the 5' nuclease allelic discrimination assay, and the haplotypes were constructed using the Phase program. RESULTS: The C2093T and C2180T genotype and allele frequencies were not different significantly between IgAN patients and controls. In C2093T polymorphism, patients with CC genotype showed a better renal survival than those with CT or TT genotypes by Kaplan-Meier analysis (p = 0.027). The megsin C2093T polymorphism remained an independent risk factor for progression (Cox regression model, HR for TT genotype: 3.52, 95% CI 1.69 - 7.34; HR for CT genotype: 2.15, 95% CI 1.30 - 3.57). In C2180T polymorphism, patients with TT genotype showed a better outcome than those with CC or CT genotypes (p = 0.025). The C2180T polymorphism was also an independent risk factor for progression (HR for CC genotype: 4.05, 95% CI 1.93 - 8.51; HR for CT genotype: 2.35, 95% CI 1.40 - 3.94). The two alleles showed linkage disequilibrium in phased haplotype. The patients with 2093T-2180C haplotype showed a poor renal survival compared to those with 2093C-2180T haplotype (p = 0.028). The haplotype remained an independent risk factor for progression (HR for 2093T-2180C haplotype: 2.01, 95% CI 1.44 - 2.81). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the 2093T-2180C haplotype at the 3'UTR of megsin gene is associated with rapid disease progression in Korean IgAN patients. This is the reverse of the results from the Chinese IgAN patients. Further studies are strongly needed to elucidate the reasons of disparity.     

The influence of G-protein beta3-subunit gene and endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene in exon 7 polymorphisms on progression of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease

BACKGROUND: A significant phenotypical variability is observed in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). The variability cannot be fully explained by the genetic heterogeneity of the disease. We examined the influence of G-protein beta3-subunit C825T polymorphism and endothelial nitric oxide synthase Glu298Asp polymorphism on the progression of ADPKD towards end stage renal failure (ESRF). METHODS: 306 ADPKD patients (pts) were analyzed; 261 pts (136 males, 125 females) with ESRF, with subgroup of 73 pts (44 males, 29 females) with ESRF before 45 years (rapid progressors), 46 pts (20 males, 26 females) with ESRF later than in 63 years (slow progressors) and 45 ADPKD pts (17 males, 28 females) in mean age 51 years with serum creatinine under 110 micromol/L (slow progressors) and 100 genetically unrelated healthy Czech subjects. DNA samples from collected blood were genotyped for G-protein beta3-subunit C825T genotype in exon 10 and for endothelial nitric oxide synthase Glu298Asp genotype in exon 7. RESULTS: The G-protein beta3-subunit C825T genotype exhibited no significant differences among the groups of slow progressors (6.6% (6/91) TT, 54.9% (50/91) CT, 38.8% (35/91) CC), rapid progressors (9.6% (7/73) TT, 46.6% (34/73) CT, 43.8% (32/73) CC), ADPKD group with ESRF between 40-63 years (9.2% (13/142) TT, 50% (71/142) CT, 40.8% (58/142) CC) and control group (12% TT, 44% CT, 44% CC). When comparing the ages of ESRF of all patients with ESRF, we did not find significant differences in the ages: males TT--51.7+/-8.8 years, CT--51.9+/-10.3 years, CC--49.7+/-10.2 years and females TT--56+/-9.9 years, CT--53.2+/-8.5 years, CC--53.9+/-8.7 years. The endothelial nitric oxide synthase Glu298Asp and Asp29Asp genotypes were significantly more frequent in rapid progressors (9.6% (7/73) Asp/Asp, 39.7% (29/73) Asp/Glu, 50.7% (37/73) Glu/Glu) and in ADPKD group with ESRF between 40-63 years (11.3% (16/142) Asp/Asp, 41.5% (59/142) Asp/Glu, 47.2% (67/142) Glu/Glu) in comparison with slow progressors (8.8% (8/91) Asp/Asp, 24.2% (22/91) Asp/Glu, 67.0% (61/91) Glu/Glu) and with control group (8% Asp/Asp, 32% Asp/Glu, 60% Glu/Glu) (Chi-square test, p<0.05). Comparing the ages of ESRF of all patients with ESRF, we did not find significant differences in the ages in males with Asp/Asp--54.9+/-10.4 years, Asp/Glu--50.2+/-9.4 years, Glu/Glu--51.0+/-10.4 years. We found out in homozygous Asp/Asp females significantly earlier onset of ESRF (49.2+/-5.6 years) in comparison with heterozygous females (53.3+/-7.2 years) and with Glu/Glu homozygous females (54.8+/-9.7 years) (t-test, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: We excluded the significance of G-protein beta3-subunit C825T polymorphism on the progression of ADPKD. We established the negative prognostic value of the carriers of Asp variant of eNOS polymorphism. Finding of new modifiers could have in future clinical consequences for ADPKD patients.     

Association of transforming growth factor beta1 genotype with therapeutic response to active vitamin D for postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) is an important regulator of bone metabolism, its effects being intertwined with those of estrogen and vitamin D. A T-->C polymorphism in exon 1 of the TGF-beta1 gene, which results in the substitution of proline for leucine, is associated with bone mineral density (BMD). However, it is not known whether this polymorphism affects the response to treatment with active vitamin D or to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in individuals with osteoporosis. Changes in BMD at the lumbar spine (L2-L4 BMD) were compared among TGF-beta1 genotypes in 363 postmenopausal Japanese women who were divided into three groups: an untreated, control group (n = 130), an active vitamin D treatment group (n = 117), and an HRT group (n = 116). TGF-beta1 genotype was determined with an allele-specific polymerase chain reaction assay. In the control group, the rate of bone loss decreased according to the rank order of genotypes TT (homozygous for the T allele) > TC (heterozygous) > CC (homozygous for the C allele), with a significant difference detected between the CC and TT genotypes. The positive response of L2-L4 BMD to HRT increased according to the rank order of genotypes TT < TC < CC, although the differences among genotypes were not statistically significant. Individuals with the CC genotype responded to active vitamin D treatment with an annual increase in L2-L4 BMD of 1.6%, whereas those with the TT or TC genotypes similarly treated lost bone to a similar extent as did untreated subjects of the corresponding genotype. These results suggest that TGF-beta1 genotype is associated with both the rate of bone loss and the response to active vitamin D treatment.     

Polymorphisms in the B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) gene are associated with NT-proBNP levels but not with diabetic nephropathy or mortality in type 1 diabetic patients.

BACKGROUND: Circulating N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels are elevated in patients with diabetic nephropathy and independently predict excess cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Therefore, we investigated the association between two polymorphisms -381T/C and 1551G/A of the BNP gene, plasma NT-proBNP levels and mortality prognosis in 380 type 1 diabetic patients with and without diabetic nephropathy. METHODS: In a prospective observational follow-up study, 197 type 1 diabetic patients with diabetic nephropathy {121 men, age [mean (SD)] 41 +/- 9.5 years, duration of diabetes 28 +/- 8.0 years, glomerular filtration rate 67 +/- 28 ml/min/1.73 m2}, and a matched control group of 183 patients with longstanding type 1 diabetes and persistent normoalbuminuria (111 men, age 43 +/- 10.0 years, duration of diabetes 27 +/- 8.3 years) were followed for 12.6 (0.0-12.9) years. Plasma NT-proBNP concentration was determined by immunoassay at baseline. The BNP genotypes were determined by TaqMan chemistry based assays. RESULTS: The two polymorphisms were in almost complete linkage disequilibrium (r2 = 0.883) and thus only the results of the -381T/C promoter polymorphism are shown. There was no significant difference between cases and controls in either genotype distributions (cases TT 32%, TC 53%, CC 15%; controls TT 28%, TC 52%, CC 20%) or allele frequencies (cases T/C 0.58/0.42; controls T/C 0.54/0.46) for the -381T/C polymorphism. Among the 164 normoalbuminuric patients without antihypertensive treatment and previous major cardiovascular disease (CVD), the -381T/C polymorphism was associated with circulating levels of NT-proBNP [median (interquartile range) 21 (5-32), 34 (12-67) and 32 (12-58) ng/l for TT, TC and CC, respectively (P = 0.041)] persisting after adjustment for covariates (P = 0.018). During follow-up, the -381T/C polymorphism did not predict all-cause or cardiovascular mortality among type 1 diabetic patients with or without diabetic nephropathy. CONCLUSIONS: The BNP -381T/C and 1551G/A polymorphisms are associated with circulating levels of NT-proBNP but not with prevalent overt diabetic nephropathy. These polymorphisms do not predict all-cause or cardiovascular mortality in Caucasian type 1 diabetic patients with or without diabetic nephropathy.     

生长分化因子5 rs143383基因多态性与膝关节骨关节炎相关性的Meta分析

目的探究生长分化因子5（GDF5）rs143383基因多态性与膝关节骨性关节炎发生的相关性。 方法检索建库至2022年1月1日已经发表的关于GDF5 rs143383基因多态性与膝关节骨性关节炎之间相关性的文献,检索数据库包括PubMed、Embase、Web of Science、中国知网、万方和维普数据库等。依据检索策略检索,16篇文献（17项数据）符合纳入排除标准,从所需研究中提取数据后,确定优势比（OR）及其95%置信区间（CI）以评估。通过漏斗图评估发表偏差。 结果GDF5（rs143383）基因多态性与膝关节骨性关节炎发生之间具有明显相关性。在总体的等位基因模型（T vs C：OR=1.20,95% CI：1.14,1.26,P<0.01）、共显基因模型（TT vs CC：OR=1.45,95% CI：1.30,1.62,P<0.01）和显性基因模型（TT+TC vs CC：OR=1.29,95%CI：1.17, 1.43,P<0.01）,均提示GDF5基因多态性与膝关节骨性关节炎的发生有明显相关性。此外,我们还根据种族进行亚组分型,通过亚组分析在亚洲人群以及高加索人群的等位基因模型（亚洲人群：T vs C：OR=1.22,95% CI：1.13,1.30,P<0.01;高加索人群：T vs C：OR=1.18,95% CI：1.10,1.26,P<0.01）、共显基因模型（亚洲人群：TT vs CC：OR=1.58,95% CI：1.33,1.88,P<0.01;高加索人群：TT vs CC：OR=1.37,95% CI：1.19,1.59,P<0.01）和显性基因模型（亚洲人群：TT+TC vs CC：OR=1.40,95% CI：1.18,1.65,P<0.01;高加索人群：TT+TC vs CC：OR=1.24,95% CI：1.08,1.42,P<0.01）中均观察到了GDF5 rs143383基因多态性与膝关节骨性关节炎发生显著的关联,然而在非洲人群中无明显关联。 结论GDF5 rs143383基因多态性与膝关节骨性关节炎发生具有显著联系,尤其在亚洲人群和高加索人群中具有相关性。     

The 825C/T polymorphism of the G-protein subunit beta3 does not influence blood pressure and renal function in kidney transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: Recently, a polymorphism at position 825 (C-->T) of the cDNA that encodes the beta3 subunit of heterotrimeric G proteins (Gbeta3) was found to be associated with essential hypertension. The T allele leads to the formation of a truncated splice variant (Gbeta3-s) with enhanced activity, promoting hypertension. We examined whether the T allele had an influence on blood pressure (BP) and early renal function after renal transplantation. METHODS: We determined the Gbeta3 genotype and T allele frequencies in renal transplant patients and examined associations with BP, BP medications, and renal function in the first year after transplantation. RESULTS: In renal transplant recipients (n=216) the frequency of the T allele was marginally increased (0.34 vs 0.29) compared with normal healthy blood donors (n=163). Age, sex and body mass index were similar in patients with the CC, CT and TT genotype. BP, number of BP medications, and serum creatinine levels were also similar for the three genotypes within the first year after transplantation. Significantly more patients with the TT genotype (48%) had glomerulonephritis as the underlying renal disease, compared with the CT (29%) and CC (27%) genotypes. CONCLUSIONS: The T allele of Gbeta3 does not have a negative impact on BP and early renal function in recipients of a renal allograft. The T allele might play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic glomerulonephritides.     

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T polymorphism and the risk of male infertility: a meta-analysis

Several molecular epidemiological studies have been conducted to examine the association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and male infertility susceptibility, but the results remain inconsistent. To derive a more precise estimation of the relationship, a meta-analysis was performed. A total of 10 case-control studies, including 2275 cases and 1958 controls, were selected. Crude odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals were used to assess the strength of association in the additive model, dominant model and recessive model. In the overall analysis, no significant association between the polymorphism and risk of male infertility was observed. Stratified analysis showed that significantly strong association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and male infertility were present only in Asians (OR = 1.79 for TT vs. CC genotype; OR = 1.42 for CT/TT vs. CC genotype; OR = 1.50 for TT vs. CC/CT genotype; OR = 1.36 for T vs. C allele), but not in Caucasians. Additionally, MTHFR 677T was associated with a significant increase in the risk of azoospermia in all genetic models. No significantly increased risks of oligoasthenoteratozoospermia were found in any of the genetic models. In conclusion, this meta-analysis supports that MTHFR C677T polymorphism is capable of causing male infertility susceptibility in Asians, but not in Caucasians.     

CD14-159C/T基因多态性对全血培养CD14表达的影响

目的探讨CD14基因启动子-159C/T基因多态性对全血培养CD14mRNA表达及可溶性CD14(sCD14)浓度的影响。方法采集118例健康献血员血标本,用全血细胞培养模型检测内毒素刺激前后CD14mRNA表达及sCD14浓度的变化。采用聚合酶链反应(PCR)及限制性内切酶HaeⅢ对PCR产物的消化作用检测CD14基因多态性。同时,对内毒素刺激后肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)诱生水平进行了分析。结果118例健康献血员中,等位基因T和C的频率分别为60.2%和39.8%;40例是T等位基因纯合子(TT),62例为杂合子(TC),还有16例基因型为CC。基因型TT与TC白细胞中CD14mRNA的表达及上清液sCD14浓度均明显高于CC纯合子(P<0.05或0.01)。并且TT纯合子TNF-α诱生水平为(352±215)pg/ml,显著高于基因型TC及CC[(261±163)pg/ml及(198±122)pg/ml,P<0.05]。结论内毒素受体CD14-159C/T基因多态性对全血培养CD14的表达及释放产生显著影响,并与内毒素诱导TNF-α的反应性相关。