Our results suggested that C1236T polymorphism in ABCB1 gene was associated with steroid resistance. A higher proportion of SR children had C1236T TT genotype and T allele, these patients may require other therapeutic strategies.

Tramadol, one of the most commonly abused drugs in Middle East, impacts spermatogenesis and disturbs reproductive hormones in animal studies. We aimed to investigate tramadol impact on sperm quality and on levels of testosterone, prolactin and gonadotropins, in tramadol abusers (n = 30) to age-matched control (n = 30). Abusers had significantly low percentages of sperm motility, normal forms and vitality compared with control (95% CI -40.7 to -19.3, -13.5 to -9.3 and -31.9 to -9.7 respectively). Hypoandrogenism (95% CI -4.5 to -2.8), hyperprolactinaemia (CI (95%) 4.9 to 9.4) and hypergonadotropinaemia (95% CI 2.9 to 7.2 for FSH and 2.0 to 7.8 for LH) were observed in tramadol abusers vs controls. Smokers (26 of 30), concurrently abusing other drugs (11 of 30) and asymptomatic leucocytospermic (15 of 30) patients subgroups significantly abused tramadol beyond 3 years (p = .02, <.001, = .03 respectively) and in excess >450 mg/day (p = .02, = .01, = .005 respectively). Progressive motility (a + b%) was significantly low in young men <25 years old (p = .03) subgroup. Tramadol abuse is associated with poor sperm quality, hyperprolactinaemia and hypergonadotropic hypogonadism. We recommend semen analysis for tramadol long-intakes, question sperm donors and follow-up studies to prevent and reverse tramadol-induced testicular damage.

BackgroundVascular α2B-adrenoreceptors have the potential to increase blood pressure by mediating vasoconstriction. A nine-nucleotide deletion in the receptor enhances vasoconstriction and exacerbates hypertension. The aim of this study was to determine the association between insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the α2B-adrenoceptor and hypertension with and without diabetes.MethodsThe study was carried out in 35 hypertensive patients with diabetes, 35 hypertensive patients without diabetes, and 30 healthy controls. Clinical data, blood lipid profiles, and I/D polymorphism were assessed.ResultsHypertensive patients were significantly older, with significantly higher systolic/diastolic blood pressures and worse plasma lipid profiles than controls. The frequency of the DD genotype was significantly higher in both hypertensive patients with (77.14%, P < 0.01) and without (71.43%, P < 0.05) diabetes versus controls (40%). Also, the D allele was significantly more common in both hypertensive patients with (84.29%, P < 0.01) and without (80%, P < 0.05) diabetes versus controls (58.33%). Hypertensive patients were more likely to have the D allele with (3.83-fold) and without (2.85-fold) diabetes. The frequencies of the DD genotype and the D allele were not significantly (P > 0.05) different between the patient groups. The DD genotype was associated with significantly lower high-density lipoprotein (P = 0.001) and significantly higher low-density lipoprotein (P = 0.017) levels versus the II and ID genotypes in the hypertensive group without diabetes.ConclusionA marked and statistically significant association between DD genotype and D allele of I/D polymorphism in the α2B-adrenoceptor gene may be a risk factor for hypertension ± diabetes. The association between the DD genotype and dyslipidemia may partially explain its role in precipitating hypertension.

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Background Breast cancer is an extensively identified malignant tumor and is a prime cause of cancer mortalities in females. It has been shown that alteration of miRNAs expression (up or down regulation) can affect the initiation and progression of many malignancies. We aimed to evaluate the role of circulating miRNA-148a and miRNA-30c in female patients with breast cancer and estimate their usage as potential biomarkers in the diagnosis, prognosis and survival of breast cancer. Methods This study included 75 breast cancer female patients.They were compared with 55 apparently healthy female subjects. miRNAs expression analysis was assessed via real-time PCR. Results To discriminate breast cancer patients from controls, miR-30c showed the best performance at a cut off value of ≤20.6 (AUC = 0.998, 97.33% sensitivity, 96.36% specificity, p < 0.001), followed by miR-148a (AUC = 0.995, 94.67% sensitivity, 90.91% specificity, p < 0.001 at a cut off value of ≤0.1), CA 15-3 (AUC = 0.930, 88.0% sensitivity, 81.82% specificity, p < 0.001 at a cut off value of >21.3), and finally CEA (AUC = 0.751, 70.67% sensitivity, 63.64% specificity, p < 0.001 at a cut off value of >2.5). Conclusion miRNA-148a and miRNA-30c expressions were down regulated in female patients with breast cancer and might be considered as potential blood biomarkers. Both also might have rule in disease treatment and selection of therapeutic targets. Future studies are needed to improve their role in predicting response to treatment and prognosis.

Background Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated, inflammatory skin disease affecting genetically predisposed individuals and requiring long-term treatment. The etiology of psoriasis is not fully understood . This article aimed to determine association between genetic polymorphisms in tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF -α) promoter −308 (rs1800629) and −238 (rs 361,525) and its serum level in psoriasis patients. Methods The study was conducted on 70 patients with psoriasis and 70 age and sex-matched, healthy individuals. All patients were subjected to history taking and complete medical examination. The polymorphisms of TNF -α promoter gene −308 (rs1800629) and −238 (rs 361,525) were detected by real time PCR and Serum levels of TNF -α were measured by ELISA technique. Results AG polymorphism and A allele of TNF-α −238 G/A (rs 361,525) were significantly more in patients than controls, whereas AG polymorphism and A allele of TNF-α −308 G/A (rs1800629) were significantly more in controls than patients. There were significant high levels of TNF-α in serum of patients in comparison to controls. Conclusions The AG polymorphism and A allele of TNF-α −238G/A (rs 361,525) may act as a risk factor for occurrence of psoriasis, whereas AG polymorphism and A allele of TNF-α −308G/A (rs1800629) may have protective role. There is pivotal role of TNF-α as a pro-inflammatory mediator in pathogenesis of psoriasis.

End-stage renal disease is associated with the inflammatory state characterized by infiltrating macrophages/lymphocytes, a major source of chemokines. The aim of this study was to determine the association of CCR2 G190A polymorphism in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) requiring hemodialysis. Seventy CRF patients and thirty healthy controls were enrolled in the current study; PCR-RFLP technique was used to assess the gene frequencies of CCR2 G190A. The results of the present study showed that there was a significant difference in the genotype and allele frequency distribution of CCR2 G190A in CRF patients and control subjects. A significant association was found between CCR2 G190A and CRF risk, especially, the AA genotype (OR= 2.5, 95% CI=0.26-23.66) and A allele (OR=2.9, 95% CI=1.14-7.3). The polymorphism was significantly associated with the presence of diabetes mellitus. From this study, it could be concluded that, a significant association was found between the AA genotype of CCR2 G190A polymorphism and CRF. Other chemokine polymorphisms in renal pathologies have to be further investigated with larger population based studies.