Association study between adiponectin gene variants, serum levels and the risk of type 2 diabetes in Tunisian women: Insights from BMI stratification.

Although prior studies have shown that adiponectin synthesis is genetically determined and that its levels influence susceptibility to T2D, the results in this regard have been inconsistent. This study aims, to investigate the relationship between adiponectin gene variants with the risk of developing T2D among Tunisian women and in relation to their BMI status. A cohort of 491 Tunisian T2D women and 373 non-diabetic subjects participated in the study.

Interleukin 10 (IL-10) gene variants and haplotypes in Tunisian women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): a case-control study.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder that affects women in their child-bearing age, and is associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. The etiology of PCOS involves multiple factors including genetic, metabolic and immunological factors. Interleukin - 10 (IL-10), as an anti-inflammatory cytokine, plays a critical role in this regard.

Association of matrix metalloproteinase-2 gene variants with diabetic nephropathy risk.

Background: Diabetic nephropathy is a highly destructive microvascular complication of diabetes. Genetic predisposition is involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy, with multiple allelic polymorphisms associated with the development and progression of the disease, thereby increasing the overall risk. To date, no study is available that shows the association of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) gene polymorphisms with diabetic nephropathy risk.

Differential Association of FTO Gene variants and Haplotypes with the Susceptibility to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome According To Obesity in Women with PCOS.

We explored the relation between FTO single gene variants (rs1861868, rs9939973, rs1421085, rs1121980, rs17817449, rs8050136, rs9939609, rs9930506, and rs8044769) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), in particular, according to the obesity status. This retrospective population-based case-control study involved women with PCOS (583) and 713 eumenorrheic control women; genotyping was done by real-time PCR. Significantly higher minor allele frequency (MAF) of rs9939973, rs17817449, rs9939609, and rs9930506 and lower MAF of rs1121980 were seen in PCOS cases.

Association of MMP-2 genes variants with diabetic retinopathy in Tunisian population with type 2 diabetes.

Aims: Few studies investigated the association of genetic difference in metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) gene with diabetic retinopathy but with mixed outcome. To investigate the association between a set of MMP-2 genetic variants and the risk of diabetic retinopathy in an Arab Tunisian population with type 2 diabetes.

Subjects And Methods: A retrospective case-control study comprising a total of 779 type 2 diabetes patients with or without diabetic retinopathy was conducted.

Genetic variation in progesterone receptor gene and ovarian cancer risk: A case control study.

Background: Previous studies examined the association of genetic variation in progesterone receptor (PR) gene (PGR) with ovarian cancer, possibly by altering the expression of PR-B isoform, but with mixed outcome.

Objective: This study evaluated the association of PGR variants with ovarian cancer and associated features.

Methods: This was a retrospective case-control study, which involved 82 women with ovarian cancer and 95 cancer-free women who served as controls.

Analysis of differential expression of hypoxia-inducible microRNA-210 gene targets in mild and severe preeclamptic patients.

Preeclampsia (PE) is a multi-system disorder that is specific to human pregnancy. Inadequate oxygenation of uterus and placenta is considered as one of the leading causes for the disease. MicroRNA-210(miR-210) is one of the prime molecules that has emerged in response to hypoxia.

Association of matrix metalloproteinase-2 gene polymorphisms with susceptibility to type 2 diabetes: A case control study.

Aims: Genetic variations mediating MMP-2 expression may result in individual differences in susceptibility to particular diseases. Our aim was to investigate the possible association of certain MMP-2 gene variants with the susceptibility of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in a Tunisian population.

Subjects And Methods: A retrospective case-control study involving 310 normoglycemic control subjects and 791 T2D patients was conducted.

Apolipoprotein E genetic polymorphism influence the susceptibility to nephropathy in type 2 diabetes patients.

Background: An association between Apolipoprotein E (Apo E) alleles and genotypes and diabetic nephropathy (DN) was suggested, but with inconsistent results. We tested the relationship between serum lipids, Apo E alleles and genotypes with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), and DN pathogenesis.

Methods: Study subjects comprised 1389 normoglycemic controls, and 1422 T2DM patients, of whom 825 were normoalbuminuric (DWN), and 597 presented with nephropathy (DN).

Maternal HLA-DR, HLA-DQ, and HLA-DP loci are linked with altered risk of recurrent pregnancy loss in Lebanese women: A case-control study.

Problem: We investigated the association between idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) and HLA-DPB1, HLA-DQB1, and HLA-DRB1 alleles and DPB1-DQB1-DRB1 haplotypes.

Method Of Study: Case-control retrospective study involved 93 Lebanese women with unexplained RPL, and 113 multiparous Lebanese women with two or more successful pregnancies, and no miscarriages who served as controls. DPB1, DQB1, and DRB1 genotyping was performed by PCR-SSP.

Assessing C reactive protein/albumin ratio as a new biomarker for polycystic ovary syndrome: a case-control study of women from Bahraini medical clinics.

Objective: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder affecting approximately one in seven women who experience androgen excess, menstrual cycle irregularities, frequent anovulation and a tendency for central obesity and insulin resistance. Chronic subclinical inflammation is now recognised as being common in the context of PCOS, which led to the postulation that PCOS may fundamentally be an inflammatory process. This study aimed to: (1) evaluate serum C reactive protein (CRP)/albumin ratio as a potential predictive biomarker for PCOS; (2) compare the relationship between CRP/albumin and PCOS to variables classically associated with the syndrome.

Elevation in Circulating Soluble CD40 Ligand Concentrations in Type 2 Diabetic Retinopathy and Association with its Severity.

Background: To investigate the relationship between changes in circulating soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) levels and the presence and severity of type 2 diabetic retinopathy (DR).

Subjects And Methods: sCD40L plasma concentrations were measured in 205 type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients without DR (DWR; n=50) and with DR (n=155), the latter subdivided into non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy [NPDR; n=98 (63.2%)], or proliferative retinopathy [PDR; n=57 (36.

Association of VEGFA variants with altered VEGF secretion and type 2 diabetes: A case-control study.

Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) contributes to type 2 diabetes (T2DM) pathogenesis, and genetic variations in VEGFA gene were suggested to influence VEGF secretion and T2DM pathogenesis.

Aim: To evaluate the association of specific VEGFA variants with altered VEGF levels, and with T2DM among Tunisians.

Subjects And Methods: A retrospective case-control study, performed on 815 T2DM patients, and 805 healthy controls.

Differential association of DENND1A genetic variants with polycystic ovary syndrome in Tunisian but not Bahraini Arab women.

Background And Aim: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder, and results from interaction between modifiable and non-modifiable factors, including genetic predisposition. Previous genome-wide association studies and meta-analysis identified DENND1A as PCOS susceptibility locus in some, but not all populations. We investigated whether the association of DENND1A gene variants with PCOS was similar between Tunisian and Bahraini Arab women.

The high-molecular weight multimer form of adiponectin is a useful marker of polycystic ovary syndrome in Bahraini Arab women.

Background & Aims: We tested if decreased total and high molecular weight (HMW)-adiponectin, and altered HMW/total adiponectin ratio (HMWR) constitute reliable markers of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) among Bahraini Arab women.

Methods: Case-control study involving 122 Bahraini Arab women with PCOS and 89 ethnically-matched control women. PCOS was evaluated according to 2003 Rotterdam criteria.

Levels of CD40L and other inflammatory biomarkers in obese and non-obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Problem: We investigated whether changes in sCD40L, hs-CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α levels are associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Method Of Study: Case-control study involving 143 women with and 165 women without PCOS.

Result(s): Reduced sCD40L, and increased hs-CRP and IL-6, but not TNF-α, levels were seen between cases and controls.

Contribution of Reduced Interleukin-10 Levels to the Pathogenesis of Osteomyelitis in Children with Sickle Cell Disease.

Osteomyelitis is a significant complication of sickle cell disease (SCD), and several factors contribute to its pathogenesis, including altered expression of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. In view of the role of interleukin-10 (IL-10) as an anti-inflammatory cytokine, we tested the notion that SCD osteomyelitis is associated with a reduction in IL-10 secretion and, hence, precipitation of a proinflammatory state. Study subjects comprised 52 SCD patients with confirmed diagnosis of osteomyelitis and 165 age- and gender-matched SCD patients with negative histories of osteomyelitis.

Validity of adiponectin-to-leptin and adiponectin-to-resistin ratios as predictors of polycystic ovary syndrome.

Objective: To evaluate the association of changes in adipokine ratios with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and related features as altered levels of the adipokines adiponectin, leptin, and resistin were linked with the pathogenesis of PCOS.

Design: Case-control retrospective study.

Setting: Outpatient obstetrics/gynecology and adult endocrinology clinics.

Serum IL-6, IL-10, and TNFα levels in pediatric sickle cell disease patients during vasoocclusive crisis and steady state condition.

Vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) is a significant complication of sickle cell disease (SCD), and altered production of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory molecules contributed to its pathogenesis. In view of the association of chronic inflammation with VOC onset, and given the capacity of interleukin (IL)-10 as anti-inflammatory, and IL-6, and TNFα as pro-inflammatory cytokines, we tested the association of altered IL-10, IL-6, and TNFα secretion with VOC pathogenesis and its severity. Study subjects comprised 147 SCD patients with active VOC (VOC Group), and 63 pain-free SCD patients for at least 9 months before blood collection (Steady-state Group).

Lebecin, a new C-type lectin like protein from Macrovipera lebetina venom with anti-tumor activity against the breast cancer cell line MDA-MB231.

C-type lectins like proteins display various biological activities and are known to affect especially platelet aggregation. Few of them have been reported to have anti-tumor effects. In this study, we have identified and characterized a new C-type lectin like protein, named lebecin.

Lebectin increases N-cadherin-mediated adhesion through PI3K/AKT pathway.

Cell adhesion molecules, including cadherins and integrins, play an essential role during tumor progression and represent potential targets for the development of new therapeutic agents. We previously showed that lebectin, a C-type lectin protein (CLP) issued from Macrovipera lebectina snake venom, inhibits integrin-mediated migration of IGR39 melanoma cells. Here we assessed whether lebectin modulates cell-cell adhesion.

Lebectin, a Macrovipera lebetina venom-derived C-type lectin, inhibits angiogenesis both in vitro and in vivo.

Integrins play an essential role in endothelial cell motility processes during angiogenesis and thus present interesting targets for the development of new anti-angiogenic agents. Snake venoms naturally contain a variety of proteins that can affect integrin-ligand interactions. Recently, the C-type lectin proteins (CLPs) have been characterized as efficient modulators of integrin functions.

Lebectin and lebecetin, two C-type lectins from snake venom, inhibit alpha5beta1 and alphaV-containing integrins.

Integrins are essential protagonists in the complex multistep process of cancer progression and metastasis. We recently reported that lebectin, a novel C-type lectin from Macrovipera lebetina venom, displays an anti-integrin activity. In this study, we extend this observation to lebecetin, a second C-type lectin isolated from the same venom and previously reported as a potent inhibitor of platelet aggregation.

Lebectin, a novel C-type lectin from Macrovipera lebetina venom, inhibits integrin-mediated adhesion, migration and invasion of human tumour cells.

The adhesion receptors of the integrin family play an essential role during tumour progression and thus represent interesting potential targets for the development of new therapeutic agents. The snake venom contains natural inhibitors of integrin-ligand interactions called disintegrins. It also contains C-type lectin proteins mainly known as modulators of platelet aggregation.