OPN gene polymorphism (Ala250) and lower serum OPN levels are associated with urolithiasis.

Osteopontin (OPN) is one of the urinary proteins with an important role in stone formation. Recently, OPN Ala250 (rs1126616) polymorphism and other single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been studied to define their role in urolithiasis. This study was conducted to examine the impact of OPN Ala250 polymorphism on the risk of stone formation and their association with serum OPN levels.

Growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor-1 axis as related to body mass index in patients with idiopathic short stature.

Objective: Idiopathic short stature (ISS) is a heterogeneous disorder. An impairment of growth hormone (GH)/insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)/IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1 R) axis is postulated. To evaluate the somatotropic axis in relation to body mass index (BMI), serum IGF-1, IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) and the expression of IGF-1 R genes in patients with ISS.