The association of interleukin-4 haplotypes with chronic periodontitis in a Czech population.

Background: Cytokine gene polymorphisms are known to influence the susceptibility and disease course of many chronic disorders. Recently, interleukin (IL)-4 gene polymorphisms were associated with aggressive periodontitis. The aim of this study was to test differences in the distribution of the IL-4 alleles, genotypes, and haplotypes between patients with chronic periodontitis (CP) and healthy controls in a Czech population.

Haplotype analysis of the NADPH oxidase p22 phox gene in patients with bronchial asthma.

Background: Superoxide produced by airway epithelial and inflammatory cells may contribute to the pathogenesis of asthma. NADPH oxidase (an enzyme complex made up of 5 subunits) is a major source of superoxide in cells. We sought to elucidate the role of genetic variability in the gene encoding the p22(phox) subunit of the NADPH oxidase (CYBA, 16q24.

Clinical and molecular-genetic markers of ADHD in children.

Objectives: The objective was to make a contribution to deepening the knowledge of the etiopathogenesis of ADHD.

Design: In an association study design, an analysis of polymorphisms of selected genes was conducted in 119 hyperkinetic boys and a control group of boys, aged 7-13. Furthermore several psychologically determined subgroups were identified.

Haplotype analysis of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene in asthma.

Nitric oxide (NO) is an important mediator of physiologic processes in the airways. Evidence exists that genetic factors affect NO formation and contribute to the pathophysiology of asthma. The aims of this study were to determine the endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) haplotypes in Czech asthmatics and control subjects and examine their relation to asthma.

Association of interleukin-6 (IL-6) haplotypes with plaque-induced gingivitis in children.

Objectives: The proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a key regulator of the host response to microbial infection and major modulator of extracellular matrix catabolism and bone resorption. The aim of this case-control study was to test differences between children with and without gingivitis in the distribution of IL-6 alleles at positions -174, -572, and -597 and their haplotypes.

Material And Methods: A total of 455 Caucasian children, aged 11 to 13 years, were enrolled in this study.

Homeostatic action of adenosine A3 and A1 receptor agonists on proliferation of hematopoietic precursor cells.

Two adenosine receptor agonists, N6-(3-iodobenzyl)adenosine-5'-N-methyluronamide (IB-MECA) and N6-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA), which selectively activate adenosine A3 and A1 receptors, respectively, were tested for their ability to influence proliferation of granulocytic and erythroid cells in femoral bone marrow of mice using morphological criteria. Agonists were given intraperitoneally to mice in repeated isomolar doses of 200 nmol/kg. Three variants of experiments were performed to investigate the action of the agonists under normal resting state of mice and in phases of cell depletion and subsequent regeneration after treatment with the cytotoxic drug 5-fluorouracil.

Effect of adenosine on the growth of human T-lymphocyte leukemia cell line MOLT-4.

Adenosine has been observed to suppress the growth of MOLT-4 human leukemia cells in vitro. Changes in the cell cycle, especially increased percentage of cells in S phase, prolonged generation time, and induction of apoptosis at higher adenosine concentrations have been found to be responsible for the growth suppression. Dipyridamole, a drug inhibiting the cellular uptake of adenosine, reversed partially but significantly the adenosine-induced growth suppression.

HFE C282Y gene variant is a risk factor for the progression to decompensated liver disease in chronic viral hepatitis C subjects in the Czech population.

Aim: To determine the prevalence of selected HFE polymorphisms (C282Y, H63D and S65C) among patients with chronic viral hepatitis B and C and to investigate their role in the progression of liver disease.

Methods: A total of 207 subjects with chronic B or C viral hepatitis and 243 healthy controls were enrolled in the case-control study. Cases were further classified into three groups according to the clinical stage of liver disease: (A) virus carriers; (B) compensated liver disease; and (C) decompensated liver disease.

Adenosine A(3) receptor agonist acts as a homeostatic regulator of bone marrow hematopoiesis.

The present study was performed to define the optimum conditions of the stimulatory action of the adenosine A(3) receptor agonist, N(6)-(3-iodobenzyl)adenosine-5'-N-methyluronamide (IB-MECA), on bone marrow hematopoiesis in mice. Effects of 2-day treatment with IB-MECA given at single doses of 200nmol/kg twice daily were investigated in normal mice and in mice whose femoral bone marrow cells were either depleted or regenerating after pretreatment with the cytotoxic drug 5-fluorouracil. Morphological criteria were used to determine the proliferation state of the granulocytic and erythroid cell systems.

Interleukin-18 and its three gene polymorphisms relating to allergic rhinitis.

The study aimed to examine an association of three different single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the IL-18 gene (-607 C/A, -137 G/C and -133 C/G) on chromosome 11q22 with allergic rhinitis (AR). Genotyping for the SNPs was performed using 539 patients with AR and 312 healthy control volunteers. Positivity to the skin prick test for the fungus Alternaria sp.

Polymorphisms of the CD14 gene and atopic phenotypes in Czech patients with IgE-mediated allergy.

IgE-mediated allergy is a common chronic disorder resulting from interactions between genetic and environmental factors. The gene encoding CD14 is a positional candidate gene for allergic diseases as it is localised on chromosome 5q31.1, a region linked to asthma and bronchial hyperresponsiveness.

Association study of promoter polymorphisms within the NOS3 gene and allergic diseases.

Background: Nitric oxide (NO) is an important mediator of physiologic and pathologic processes in the airways. On this basis, we hypothesized that polymorphisms in the NOS3 gene could be associated with the disease process.

Methods: Two promoter variants (-786C/T and -691C/T) were examined in a Caucasian Czech population of allergic patients [n = 671, with a subgroup of asthmatics (n = 305)] and healthy controls (n = 334) using PCR-RFLP analyses.

The association of monoamine oxidase B functional polymorphism with postoperative pain intensity.

Objectives: The monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) is an enzyme involved in metabolism of dopamine, benzylamine, phenylethylamine, tyramine and tryptamine. The A/G polymorphism in intron 13 of the MAO-B gene has been previously found to be associated with variability of the MAO-B enzyme activity. The aim of the present association study has been to examine the relationship between the A/G polymorphism in intron 13 and postoperative pain intensity.

Polymorphism of DRD2 gene and ADHD.

Objectives: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent childhood disorder. Evidence from the family and twin studies suggest that ADHD is familiar and highly heritable. Association studies are frequently used for the searching of markers responsible for genetic basis of ADHD.

The association between high-activity COMT allele and alcoholism.

Objectives: The catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is an enzyme involved in the metabolism of dopamine, adrenaline and noradrenaline. The Val158Met polymorphism of the COMT gene has been previously associated with a variability of the COMT activity, and alcoholism. The aim of the present association study was to examine the relationship between the Val158Met polymorphism of the COMT gene and dispositions to alcoholism.

Effects of adenosine A(3) receptor agonist on bone marrow granulocytic system in 5-fluorouracil-treated mice.

The purpose of the experiments reported was to investigate effects of N(6)-(3-iodobenzyl)adenosine-5'-N-methyluronamide (IB-MECA), a selective adenosine A(3) receptor agonist, on the granulocytic system in femoral marrow of mice depleted by the cytotoxic drug 5-fluorouracil. In the phase of the highest cell depletion IB-MECA was injected i.p.

Genetic variations in the human gelatinase A (matrix metalloproteinase-2) promoter are not associated with susceptibility to, and severity of, chronic periodontitis.

Background: Gelatinase A (matrix metalloproteinase-2 [MMP-2]) has been shown to play an important role in the pathogenesis of several disorders, including periodontal diseases. In this study, we test the hypothesis that variations in this gene influence the development and severity of chronic periodontitis.

Methods: Four promoter polymorphisms (-1575G/A, -1306C/T, -790T/G, and -735C/T) were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methods in 149 patients with mild to severe chronic periodontitis and 127 age-matched controls in the Czech population.

Haplotype analysis of the RAGE gene: identification of a haplotype marker for diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) represents a devastating complication of diabetes. Family clustering, heterogeneity in the onset and progression and results of segregation studies indicate that susceptibility to DN is a complex trait.

Methods: Common single nucleotide polymorphisms in the RAGE (receptor of advanced glycation end-products) gene (-429T/C, -374T/A, G82S, 1704G/T, 2184A/G and 2245G/A) were studied in the association study comprising 605 Caucasian subjects by means of haplotype analysis in order to identify an eventual haplotype marker for DN in type 2 diabetes.

N6-cyclopentyladenosine inhibits proliferation of murine haematopoietic progenitor cells in vivo.

Effects of N6-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA), the selective adenosine A1 receptor agonist, on bone marrow haematopoietic progenitor cells for granulocytes and macrophages (CFC-GM) were investigated by utilizing the model of haematopoietic damage induced by 5-fluorouracil. Experiments were performed in vivo on B10CBAF1 mice. A single i.

Analysis of the interleukin-6 gene promoter polymorphisms in Czech patients with chronic periodontitis.

Background: Chronic periodontitis is an inflammatory disease, which is a major cause of tooth loss. The proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1 (IL-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) are key regulators of the host response to microbial infection and major modulators of extracellular matrix catabolism and bone resorption. The purpose of this study was to investigate the associations of chronic periodontitis with IL-6 gene polymorphisms (at positions -597 [G/A], -572 [G/C], and -174 [G/C]).

A haplotype constituted of four MMP-2 promoter polymorphisms (-1575G/A, -1306C/T, -790T/G and -735C/T) is associated with coronary triple-vessel disease.

Vascular lesion development is associated with an accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins within the vessel wall. The proteins are degraded by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). There is also evidence indicating a participation of the MMPs in the weakening of atherosclerotic plaque that predisposes to lesion disruption.

Association between -174 G/C polymorphism of interleukin-6 gene and alcoholism.

Objectives: IL-6 plays the role as a physiological neuromodulator involved in dopaminergic, serotonergic and other neurotransmissions. The aim of the present association study was to examine the effect of the G/C -174 polymorphism of the IL-6 gene on disposition to alcoholism.

Methods: We investigated the relationship between the G/C -174 polymorphism of the IL-6 gene and alcohol dependence in 281 alcoholics and 242 control subjects.

Polymorphisms in the +252(A/G) lymphotoxin-alpha and the -308(A/G) tumor necrosis factor-alpha genes and susceptibility to chronic periodontitis in a Czech population.

Background: Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease that leads to irreversible attachment loss, bone destruction and eventually tooth loss. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF), a pluripotent proinflammatory cytokine that is able to induce tissue destruction and bone resorption, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease.

Methods: In this study, we investigated an association between chronic periodontitis and two previously described bi-allelic polymorphisms in the TNF locus: a G to A transition at position -308 in the 5'promoter region of the TNF-alpha gene and an NcoI restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) in the first intron (position +252A/G) of the lymphotoxin alpha (LT-alpha) gene.

The role of the IKAP gene polymorphisms in atopic diseases in the middle European population.

Over ten genome-wide screens and many candidate genes studies were performed worldwide to elucidate genetic factors involved in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma and other atopic diseases. Results from these studies were often discordant, which might have reflected complexity and heterogeneity of these multifactorial diseases. Among a variety of other loci, specific variants of the gene for IKAP (IKK complex-associated protein) were shown to be associated with bronchial asthma in children in a Japanese study.

Lack of association between atopic asthma and the tumor necrosis factor alpha-308 gene polymorphism in a Czech population.

Susceptibility to the development of asthma and other atopic diseases is known to be associated with genetic components. Several investigators have linked the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) genes and nearby markers located on chromosome 6p to atopy and asthma. A recent study has demonstrated that the TNF-alpha*2 allele of a polymorphism in the TNF-alpha gene promoter region (G-308 A) is associated with a higher risk for the development of atopy in Spanish patients.