SOD2 genetic polymorphism (rs4880) has no impact on 6‐month response to antidepressant treatment and inflammatory biomarkers in depressed patients

Two thirds of patients suffering from a major depressive episode (MDE) do not reach a complete response with antidepressant drugs. This lack of response is due to several factors, including genetic determinants. Since major depressive disorder is associated with inflammatory and oxidative stress abnormalities, the metabolism of superoxide anions might be involved in non‐response to antidepressant drugs. Superoxide anions are metabolized by manganese‐dependent superoxide dismutase (SOD2) in the mitochondria. A functional genetic polymorphism (SOD2, rs4880), responsible of a 40% reduction in enzyme activity, is associated with anti‐inflammatory response of rosuvastatin. We investigated the association of ala‐allele of SOD2 rs4880 and both antidepressant efficacy and inflammatory parameters in patients treated for a MDE with antidepressant drugs. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) score and levels of plasma CRP and inflammatory cytokines were assessed at baseline, one month (M1), 3 months (M3) and 6 months (M6) after antidepressant treatment. They were compared according to SOD2 genetic polymorphism. Of the 484 patients studied, 361 (74.6%) carried the ala‐allele (Ala group), 123 (25.4%) of them had Val/Val genotype (Val/Val group). No significant difference was observed between the Ala and Val/Val groups neither for baseline clinical characteristics, nor for HDRS scores, response/remission rates, plasma CRP and cytokine levels throughout the study. The rs4880 SOD2 genetic polymorphism was not associated with the clinical response and cytokines levels after antidepressant treatment. These data suggest that SOD2 is not a major genetic determinant of antidepressant response. Other genes of the oxidative stress pathways should be explored in further studies.     

Genetic factors and multiple sclerosis in the Moroccan population: A role for HLA class II

Background and objective

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system that mainly affects young adults. The association between susceptibility to MS and HLA class II genes, in particular the DRB1*15 allele, has been reported in diverse ethnic groups. The aim of our study was to investigate the distribution of HLA-DRB1* and -DQB1* alleles in Moroccan population and their implication in the susceptibility to the disease.

Methods

Fifty-seven MS patients were compared to 172 healthy controls unrelated to one another and matched by age, sex and ethnic origin. HLA class II (DRB1* and DQB1*) typing was performed by PCR-SSP and/or Luminex (PCR-SSO). Allelic and haplotypic frequencies, P-values, odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using the software SPSS.

Results

A significant increase of DRB1*15 allele frequency (17.6% vs 8.4%, OR = 2.67, 95% CI = 1.36–5.23, P = 0.004) and HLA-DRB1*15-DQB1*06 haplotype (8.8% vs 4.08%, OR = 2.78, 95% CI = 1.41–5.48, P = 0.002) were observed in Moroccan MS patients. No association of the DR15 allele with sex or age at onset was appreciated. Concerning HLA-DQB1* alleles, no significant difference between patients and controls was found.

Conclusions

Our results reveal a role for HLA-DRB1*15 allele molecules in the predisposition of Moroccan patients to MS. Although this study should be confirmed on a larger sample size, it analyzes for the first time the possible role of a genetic marker for susceptibility to MS in Moroccan population.     

New amino group functionalized porous carbon for strong chelation ability towards toxic heavy metals

Herein, ethylenediamine functionalized porous carbon (PC-ED/1.5) was synthesized, then characterized by various methods and finally used as a functional material for Cu(ii) and Pb(ii) ion removal from water. XPS revealed the presence of numerous functionalities within the surface of PC including –NH and C–N–C groups. Furthermore, S_BET, RS, XRD and FTIR analyses confirmed the changes implemented on the PC surface. Thereafter, a systematic study was implemented to analyze the interactions of the PC-ED/1.5 surface with Cu(ii) and Pb(ii) heavy metal ions. Hence, adsorption experiments showed that the PC-ED/1.5 exhibits maximum adsorption capacities of 123.45 mg g⁻¹ and 140.84 mg g⁻¹ for Cu(ii) and Pb(ii), respectively. Moreover, in situ electrostatic interactions occurring between the divalent cation and the PC-ED/1.5 functional groups was investigated. The mechanism involves chelation processes, electrostatic interactions and mechanical trapping of the metal ions in the adsorbent pores. Interestingly, a synergistic effect of the pores and surface active sites was observed. Finally, by using alginate bio-polymer we prepared membrane films of PC-ED/1.5 which showed long-term stability, regeneration capabilities and high mass recovery.

Herein, ethylenediamine functionalized porous carbon (PC-ED/1.5) was synthesized, then characterized by various methods and finally used as a functional material for Cu(ii) and Pb(ii) ion removal from water.