Mohammad Y. Gharaibeh

Associations of polymorphisms in adiponectin and leptin genes with men's longevity

Adipokines are important for regulation body metabolism and immune response. Many studies have shown that variants in adipokines genes play a role in age-associated diseases. In this study, we investigated the contribution of rs266729 (−11377G/C), rs2241766 (+45T/G), and rs1501299 (+276 G/T) SNPs of adiponectin gene (ADIPQO) and rs7799039 (−2548C/A) SNP of leptin (LEP) gene to human longevity phenotype in Jordanian population. Polymorphisms were genotyped in 110 randomly selected elderly subjects (>85 years old) with mean age of 90.2 years, and 120 young control subjects (range from 20 to 50 years) with mean age of 32.0 years. No significant differences were detected in the genotype and allele frequencies of examined gene variants between the two groups (p > 0.05). However, when gender was considered, genotypes and alleles frequencies of rs1501299 SNP in ADIPOQ gene and rs7799039 in LEP gene were significantly associated with longevity in men (p < 0.02) but not in women (p > 0.05). Thus, ADIPOQ and LEP genes polymorphisms might play a gender-specific role in the pathway to mens longevity.

LC-MS and LC-PDA analysis of Hypericum empetrifolium and Hypericum sinaicum.

Within the framework of our continuous efforts to explore Hypericum species from Jordan, we report the analysis of the major active metabolites, naphthodianthrones and phloroglucinols, in the methanolic extracts of two under-explored Hypericum species; H. empetrifolium Willd. and H. sinaicum Hochst. & Steud. ex Boiss., using LC-(+,-)-ESI-MS (TIC and SIM) and LC-UV/Vis spectroscopy. Based on their LC-UV/Vis profiles, retention times and (+,-)-ESI-MS (TIC and SIM) spectral data, hypericin, protohypericin and pseudohypericin were identified in both of the investigated species. In addition adhyperfirin was only detected in H. empetrifolium, while hyperforin and protopseudohypericin were only detected in H. sinaicum. This is the first report documenting the presence of hypericin, protohypericin, pseudohypericin, protopseudohypericin, and hyperforin in H. sinaicum, and adhyperfirin in H. empetrifolium.

The Prevalence of Hemoglobin S and Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency in Jordanian Newborn

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of HbS and glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency in Jordanian newborn.

Exercise at low altitude (Jordan Valley) causes changes in serum levels of acth, insulin, cortisol and lactate

This study was designed to examine the effects of exercise on adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol at low altitude (350 meters below sea level) and to compare these effects with those at a moderate level altitude (620 meters above sea level). Ten male trained athletes participated in a 21-K(m) non-competitive race. Serum levels of ACTH, luteinizing hormone (LH), growth hormone and cortisol were measured before and after the race at each of the altitudes. A significant increase in serum levels of ACTH was observed in response to this exercise only at low altitude. Serum levels of growth hormone were increased at both altitudes. Those of LH were not affected. Serum cortisol levels were increased following exercise at both altitudes. It is proposed here that ACTH may play a role in acclimatization to exercise at low altitudes. The role of growth hormone and LH in this conditioning process seems to be insignificant. Additionally, serum levels of insulin and lactate were also measured in these experiments. Exercise caused a decrease in serum insulin levels at both altitudes. Serum levels of lactate were decreased only at low altitude. These changes of serum levels of insulin and lactate suggest a type of metabolic adjustment to meet energy requirements. Changes in energy metabolism can be correlated by changes in the ratio of insulin to serum cortisol levels and those of other counter-regulatory hormones in response to exercise at both altitudes.

Hyperhomocysteinemia, Low Folate, and Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Elderly Living at Home and Care Residences: A Comparative Study

Background: Serum levels of homocysteine (Hcy), folate, and vitamin B12 in healthy elderly persons living at home (EH) and care residences (ER) were evaluated in subjects from Jordan. Methods: Homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B12 serum levels were measured using commercially available kits. Results: The prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) was 55% in the ER, 22% in the EH, and 8% in the young. Vitamin B12 deficiency was prevalent in 34% of the elderly groups compared to 9% in the young group. Similarly, the folate deficiency prevalence was 55% and 23% in the ER and EH respectively, whereas it was 13% in the young group. Homocysteine concentration negatively correlated with vitamin B12 in EH males and females, while it negatively correlated with folate in the EH and the young of both genders. Conclusion: Hyperhomocysteinemia and low folate was more prevalent in the ER than in the EH and younger individuals. * Hcy : Homocysteine HHcy : hyperhomocysteinemia EH : living at home ER : care residences Y : young individuals FPIA : florescence polarization immunoassay DTT : dithiothreitol SAH : S-adenosyl-1-homocysteine MEIA : microparticle enzyme immunoassay 2-way ANOVA : two-way analysis of variance BMI : body mass index

ACUTE EFFECTS OF EXERCISE AT LOW ALTITUDE (350 METERS BELOW SEA LEVEL) ON HORMONES OF THE ANTERIOR PITUITARY& CORTISOL IN ATHLETES

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of exercise on anterior pituitary hormones (adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), leutinizing hormone (LH) and growth hormone) as well as on cortisol at low altitude (350 meters below the sea level) and to compare these effects with those at a moderate level altitude (620 meters above the sea level). Ten male athletes with running experience participated in a 21-Km competitive race. Serum levels of ACTH, LH, growth hormone and cortisol were measured before and after the race at each of the altitudes. A significant increase in the serum levels of ACTH and growth hormone were observed in response to this exercise at low altitude. Similar exercise at 620 meters above the sea level resulted in a significant increase only in the serum levels of growth hormone. Serum levels of LH were not affected by this kind of exercise at both altitudes. Serum cortisol levels were increased following exercise at both altitudes. Altogether, these observations show a differential response of the anterior pituitary to exercise at low and normal altitudes. These data suggest that ACTH may have a role in the acclimatization to exercise at low altitudes. The role of growth hormone and LH in this conditioning process seems to be insignificant. The changes in serum cortisol levels in response to exercise at both altitudes correlate well with the effect of exercise on energy metabolism.

Effect of physical activity on levels of homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B12 in the elderly.

Abstract Objectives: Homocysteine (Hcy) has emerged as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). However the relationship of physical activity (PA) with Hcy levels in the elderly is controversial. Accordingly, the current study examined the effect of low and high participation in PA on serum Hcy in young (n = 77; 18–50 years) and old (n = 207; > 65 years) males (n = 141) and females (n = 142). Methods: Level of PA was obtained in a 1-to-1 interview and participants divided into low and high groups. Serum Hcy, folate, and vitamin B12 were obtained after 12 hour fast drawn by venipuncture. Results: Levels of Hcy correlated with folate (r = −0. 5; p = 0.000) and vitamin B12 (r = −0.3; p = 0.000). The ANOVA revealed a main effect of PA for Hcy (p = 0.04) but not for folate (p = 0.2) and vitamin B12 (p = 0.2). Main effects were found also of age for Hcy (p = 0.000) and folate (p = 0.005) as well as of gender for Hcy (p = 0.000) and vitamin B12 (p = 0.000). Subsequent ANCOVA showed lower levels of Hcy in the participants with greater versus lower PA even after controlling for B12 vitamin. Conclusion: These results confirm the importance of the vitamins for regulating Hcy levels. Additionally, the data suggests that PA affects Hcy levels without affecting and independent of B vitamins in the elderly.

Correlation between lead and iron in children's blood in Jordan

A total of 200 Jordanian children were classified into two groups: 100 Fe replete and 100 Fe deficient with ages ranging between 3.0 and 12.0 years (6.9 ± 2.7 years). All participants were chosen according to proper selection criteria followed by the sample collection: the samples were analyzed for hemoglobin and red blood cells; ferritin, an immunoassays-based instrument; and levels of Pb, Cu, and Zn. There were no significant differences between genders regarding Fe-deficiency (p = 0.57 and χ2 = 0.33), with a significant association of younger individuals (3.0–9.1 years) with Fe-deficiency (p < 0.05 and χ2 = 22.7). In addition, there is a significant positive correlation between Fe-deficiency with blood levels of Pb, Cu, and Zn (p < 0.05), (r = 0.43, 0.35, and 0.42, respectively) as compared to control group, this findings supported, by comparing the levels of the examined metals in both groups, in individuals whom close to heavy metals source (highway traffic or oil gas station), and found that the mean of the heavy metals level in close Fe-deficient group higher than in close Fe-replete group.

Lack of Association between Polymorphisms of Hepatic Lipase with Lipid Profile in Young Jordanian Adults.

The human hepatic lipase (LIPC) gene encodes hepatic lipase, an enzyme involved in lipoprotein metabolism and regulation. Therefore, variants in LIPC gene may influence plasma lipoprotein levels. In this study, the association of LIPC C-514T and G-250A polymorphisms with plasma lipid profiles in 348 young Jordanians was investigated. Genotyping of C-514T and G-250A was performed by polymerase chain reaction and subsequent digestion with DraI and NiaIII restriction enzymes, respectively, while Roche analyzer was used to determine plasma total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-and high-density lipoprotein. The G-250 and C-514 alleles were most abundant in Jordanians with 79 and 80% frequencies, respectively. Additionally, no difference was found in the lipid–lipoprotein profile between the different genotype groups of C-514T or G-250A polymorphisms, even when males and females were examined separately (P > 0.05). In young Jordanian adults, the examined LIPC polymorphisms seem to play a limited role in determining the lipid profile.

The prevalence of hemoglobin S and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in Jordanian newborn

Objective: Study Design: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of HbS and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency in Jordanian newborn. A total of 181 male and female babies born at Princess Basma Teaching Hospital, randomly selected, and cord blood samples were collected, and the erythrocyte G6PD activity was measured, and the hemoglobin electrophoresis for blood lysate was conducted and scanned for HbS scanning. The frequencies of two major red cell genetic defects, sickle hemoglobin (HbS) and deficiency G6PD was determined, of the studied subjects 10 (11%) females and 11 (12%) males were found to be deficient in the G6PD gene. The frequency of HbS carriers among the females was 4% while it was 6% among males. The coincidence of both G6PD deficiency and sickle cell hemoglobin in the samples was 1%. No coincidence was found between G6PD deficiency and hyperbilirubinemia. A better understanding of the distributions of these genetic disorders has the potential to aid in the more efficient utilization of health care resources and improved planning.