Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in the elderly. We report an association between an Alu polymorphism in the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene with the dry/atrophic form of AMD. Using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on genomic DNA isolated from patients with AMD (n=173), and an age-matched control population (n=189), we amplified a region polymorphic for an Alu element insertion in the ACE gene. The Alu(+/+) genotype occurred 4.5 times more frequently in the control population than the dry/atrophic AMD patient population, (p=0.004). The predominance of the Alu(+/+) genotype within the unaffected control group represents a protective insertion with respect to the human ocular disease, dry/atrophic AMD. This is the first demonstration of an Alu element insertion exerting protective effects against a known human disease.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0006-291x(02)00728-3 | DOI Listing |
Sci Rep
January 2025
Chulalongkorn Autism Research and Innovation Center of Excellence (Chula ACE), Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, 154 Soi Chula 12, Rama 1 Road, Wangmai, Pathumwan, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
Bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine-disrupting chemical, is increasingly linked to the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study investigates the effects of prenatal BPA exposure on neural stem cells (NSCs) from the hippocampi of rat offspring, a brain region critical for neurodevelopment and implicated in ASD. Pregnant rats were administered with BPA or vehicle control once daily via oral gavage from gestational day 1 until parturition.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPlacenta
January 2025
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City, Taiwan. Electronic address:
Background: Preeclampsia (PE) is a serious condition characterized by hypertension and proteinuria after 20 weeks of gestation. The exact cause of PE is unknown but may involve abnormalities in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). Genetic variations in angiotensinogen (AGT), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), and eNOS genes have been associated with PE.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArq Bras Cardiol
January 2025
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Alimentação, Nutrição e Saúde - Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS - Brasil.
Background: The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism (rs4340) is associated with the pathogenesis of heart failure (HF). This polymorphism may contribute to a greater propensity for severe HF and excess weight.
Objective: To evaluate adiposity, cardiac function, and their association with ACE I/D polymorphism in HF patients.
Cardiovasc Ther
January 2025
Department of Cardiology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
Myocardial infarction (MI), a severe cardiovascular disease, is the result of insufficient blood supply to the myocardium. Despite the improvements of conventional therapies, new approaches are needed to improve the outcome post-MI. Imperatorin is a natural compound with multiple pharmacological properties and potential cardioprotective effects.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFToxicol Res (Camb)
February 2025
Department of Bioinformatics, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu 620024, India.
Sugar substitutes are mostly artificial, man-made industrial products used as additives in food and beverages. Most of these substances flow through the digestive tract and food chains, becoming emerging organic contaminants in various abiotic and biotic environmental media. Here, we predict the mutagenicity and carcinogenicity of commonly used sugar substitutes using in silico based methods.
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