F. van Bockxmeer

Apolipoprotein ∈4 homozygosity in young men with coronary heart disease

Abstract We have compared apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism in 91 Australian men aged 30-50 who had been referred for coronary angioplasty and in 172 healthy younger men. 5 of the 19 patients who were less than 40 years of age were homozygous for the ∈4 allele, representing a 16-fold increase in prevalence compared with controls. In patients aged 40-50 the ∈4 allele frequency was 60% higher than it was in controls. Inheritance of ∈4 seems to confer risk of premature ischaemic heart disease in males, homozygotes being especially at risk at a younger age.

The relationship between ApoE, TNFA, IL1a, IL1b and IL12b genes and HIV-1-associated dementia

Host genetic factors implicated in AIDS dementia complex (ADC) were studied.

B-vitamins and Depression

Introduction B-vitamin insufficiency is associated with depression but it is uncertain if treatment with these is effective in prevention or treatment. Objectives and Aims 1. To determine if daily supplementation with B-vitamins enhances response to antidepressants. 2. Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised, placebo-controlled trials of B-vitamins for depressive symptoms in adults. Methods 1. The B-VITAGE trial is a 52 week randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of citalopram together with vitamin B12, B6 and folic acid in older adult participants with major depression. 2. Systematic review of 13 eligible trials of B-vitamin supplementation for the reduction, remission and prevention of clinically significant depressive symptoms. Results Remission was achieved by 78.1% and 79.4% of participants treated with placebo (n=76) and vitamins (n=77) by week 12 (p=0.328), and by 75.8% and 85.5% at week 52 (effect of intervention over 52 weeks: odds ratio, OR=2.49; 95% confidence interval, 95%CI=1.12,5.51). The risk of subsequent relapse among those who had achieved remission of symptoms at week 12 was lower in the vitamin group (OR=0.33, 95%CI=0.12,0.94). Short-term use of vitamins did not improve depressive symptoms in adults with major depression treated with antidepressants (standardised mean difference=-0.12, 95% CI=-0.45,0.22), but more prolonged consumption decreased the risk of relapse (OR=0.33, 95%CI=0.12,0.94) and the onset of clinically significant symptoms in people at risk (risk ratio=0.65, 95%CI=0.43,0.98). Conclusions Short-term use of B-vitamins does not appear to benefit depressive symptoms although longer use may enhance and sustain antidepressant response and decrease the risk of relapse or onset of clinically significant depression.