Scientists at University of Athens report research in autoimmune disease in women
2009 JUL 27 - (NewsRx.com) -- New research, 'Apolipoprotein E and paraoxonase 1 polymorphisms are associated with lower serum thyroid hormones in postmenopausal women,' is the subject of a report. "Autoimmune thyroiditis and overt or subclinical hypothyroidism have been associated with increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Cross-sectional investigation of the association between gene polymorphisms related to CVD with thyroid function and autoimmunity," investigators in Athens, Greece report. "In total 84 healthy postmenopausal women aged 49-69 years. FT3, FT4, anti-TPO and anti-TG were assessed in the sera of participants. The following polymorphisms were assessed from peripheral lymphocyte DNA: Apolipoprotein E E2/E3/E4, paraoxonase 1 A/B, Glycoprotein IIIa leu33pro, MTHFR ala222val, ApoBarg3500gln, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 4G/5G, cholesterol 7-alpha hydroxylase A204C and cholesterol ester transfer protein B1/B2. A statistically significant correlation was found between Apolipoprotein E and paraoxonase 1 polymorphisms and serum thyroid hormones: carriers of the E2 or E4 allele of the ApoE gene had lower levels of FT4 (p=0.0005) than women with the E3/E3 genotype. Carriers of the B allele of paraoxonase 1 gene had lower levels of FT3 compared to women with the wild-type genotype (p=0.047). A statistically significant positive association (p=0.049) was also observed between anti-TG antibodies and the presence of the E2 allele of the Apolipoprotein E gene. Polymorphisms of apolipoprotein E and paraoxonase 1 are associated with different levels of thyroid hormone and anti-Tg antibody levels in the study population in this pilot study," wrote I. Lambrinoudaki and colleagues, University of Athens. The researchers concluded: "The mechanism underlying this association remains to be elucidated." Lambrinoudaki and colleagues published their study in Clinical Endocrinology (Apolipoprotein E and paraoxonase 1 polymorphisms are associated with lower serum thyroid hormones in postmenopausal women. Clinical Endocrinology, 2009;71(2):284-90). For additional information, contact I. Lambrinoudaki, Aretaieio Hospital, Second Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Athens, Athens, Greece. The publisher of the journal Clinical Endocrinology can be contacted at: Blackwell Publishing Inc., 350 Main St., Malden, MA 02148, USA. Keywords: Greece, Athens, Autoimmune Disease, Autoimmune Disorder, Autoimmune Thyroiditis, Autoimmunity, Cardiology, Cardiovascular Disease, Clinical Endocrinology, DNA, Endocrinology, Enzyme Research, Hormones, Hydroxylase, Hypothyroidism, Immunology, Plasminogen. This article was prepared by Cardiovascular Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Cardiovascular Week via NewsRx.com.
|
