Bingwen Liu

Genotype distribution of estrogen receptor α polymorphisms in pregnant women from healthy and preeclampsia populations and its relation to blood pressure levels

Abstract Background: The estrogen receptor α gene (ESR1) seems to be a potential candidate in altering risk for preeclampsia due to important estrogenic biological effects. Despite its previously reported association with severe preeclampsia in combined genotype in one selected ethnic group, further studies in other populations are required. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship of the gene polymorphisms of the estrogen receptor α with preeclampsia in a southwest Chinese population. Methods: We genotyped two polymorphisms in the ESR1 gene (PvuII and XbaI) by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis in a Chinese population. Results: In the case-control study which included 204 preeclampsia case subjects and 236 normal control subjects, the frequencies of allele T for the PvuII site and allele G for the XbaI site in the patients (41.67% and 23.53%, respectively) were similar to those observed in controls (43.01% and 19.70%, respectively). Furthermore, the combined genotype analysis of ESR1 PvuII and XbaI polymorphisms showed no increased risk of either severe or total preeclampsia in our study populations. However, it showed that the CC homozygotes and CT heterozygotes in control pregnant women had higher systolic blood pressure levels than TT homozygotes for the PvuII site after adjustment for age and body mass index (p<0.05). Conclusions: Our work does not provide evidence in favor of ESR1 PvuII and XbaI being associated with preeclampsia but with increased blood pressure levels in normal pregnant women, in a southwest Chinese population. Clin Chem Lab Med 2009;47:391–7.

Differential effect of ATP binding cassette transporter A1 R219K and cholesteryl ester transfer protein TaqIB genotypes on HDL-C levels in overweight/obese and non-obese Chinese subjects

OBJECTIVES ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) are involved in the HDL metabolism and play a key role in reverse cholesterol transport. The study aim was mainly to examine the possible association of the ABCA1 and CETP polymorphisms with overweight/obesity in a South-West Chinese population. METHODS AND RESULTS Three hundred and thirty-eight Han Chinese (206 overweight/obese and 132 normal control subjects) in Chengdu area were studied using the PCR-RFLP analysis. The genotype and allele frequencies of the ABCA1 R219K, CETP Taq IB and -629C > A polymorphisms in cases of overweight/obesity showed no significant statistical difference compared to those of the control subjects. However, on analysis of the HDL-C levels, cases showed statistically higher levels among those carrying the ABCA 1 KK genotype compared to RR genotype carriers, and controls having the CETP B2B2 genotype had a marginally significantly higher serum HDL-C concentration than those of the B1B1 genotype. In addition, the combined genotype effect of the ABCA1 R219K and the CETP Taq IB polymorphisms on HDL-C levels was evident in the control subjects: the carriers of the KK/B2B2 genotype showed the highest levels of HDL-C (2.23 +/- 0.91 mmol/L), whereas those of the RR/B1B1 genotype showed the lowest (1.32 +/- 0.33 mmol/L). There were significant differences of the HDL-C levels between subjects with genotype KK/B2B2 and those with each of the other genotype combinations (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Polymorphisms of theABCA1 and CETP genes are associated with altered plasma HDL-C concentrations.These associations on HDL-C levels are modified by BMI in a Chinese population of the Chengdu area.

Distribution and effect of apoL-I genotype on plasma lipid and apolipoprotein levels in Chinese normalipidemic and endogenous hypertriglyceridemic subjects

BACKGROUND ApoL-I is a newly found component of HDL, and has a potential role in the lipid metabolism. This study was mainly to examine the possible association of the ApoL-I gene polymorphism with endogenous hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) in Chinese population. METHODS Three hundred and thirty five Han Chinese (102 HTG and 233 healthy control subjects) in Chengdu area were studied using PCR-RFLP analysis. RESULTS The Lys and Glu allele frequencies of apoL-I gene at Lys166Glu site in HTG and normal control groups were 0.857, 0.143 and 0.801, 0.199, respectively; The Ile and Met allele frequencies of the gene at Ile244Met site in HTG and the control groups were 0.868, 0.132 and 0.812, 0.188 respectively. The 166Glu and 244Met allele frequencies of the 2 polymorphisms in HTG subjects were not different from those in the normal controls, respectively (P>0.05). In HTG group, subjects with genotype Lys/lys of Lys166Glu site had a higher serum mean concentration of TG as compared to those of Glu allele carriers (3.64+/-1.55 mmol/l vs 2.86+/-0.51 mmol/l, P<0.05). Subjects with genotype Ile/Ile of Ile244Met site had a higher serum mean concentration of TG as compared to those of Met allele carriers (3.59+/-1.56 mmol/l vs 2.94+/-0.88 mmol/l, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The Lys166Glu and Ile244Met polymorphisms in apoL-I gene are associated with TG levels in subjects with endogenous hypertriglyceridemia in Chinese. However, these polymorphisms were not associated with the risk of HTG in the population.

The C825T Polymorphism in the G-protein Beta 3 Subunit Gene in Chinese Patients with Preeclampsia

Objectives: The objective of the study was to investigate the relationship of a C825T polymorphism of the gene encoding the G protein β3 subunit with preeclampsia in a South-West Chinese population. Results: In the case-control study which included 221 preeclamptic case subjects and 277 normal control subjects the allele frequency of 825C→T in the GNB3 gene was 47.29% in patients with preeclampsia and 49.28% in the control group. Furthermore, there was no significant association between the polymorphism and blood pressure levels in the case or control group. However, it showed that the TT homozygotes (n = 39) in obese patients had higher diastolic blood pressure levels than CC homozygotes (n = 47) or CT heterozygotes (n = 84) during pregnancy (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our work does not provide evidence in favor of GNB3 C825T being a candidate gene for conferring genetic susceptibility to preeclampsia in a South West Chinese population.