Zheng-Fu Xie

Association between the ghrelin Leu72Met polymorphism and type 2 diabetes risk: A meta-analysis

AIMS Data on the association between the ghrelin Leu72Met polymorphism and type 2 diabetes are conflicting. A meta-analysis was performed on this topic. METHODS We searched for case-control studies using electronic databases (Medline and PubMed) and reference lists of studies. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) assuming dominant, recessive and homozygote comparison genetic models were calculated. RESULTS Six case-control studies involving a total of 3417 cases and 3081 controls were included in this meta-analysis. No association was found between the ghrelin Leu72Met polymorphism and type 2 diabetes risk in the overall population in dominant, recessive and homozygote comparison models. However, in subgroup analyses stratified by ethnicity, we found that the risk for type 2 diabetes was decreased in subjects with Met72+ genotypes in Caucasians (OR=0.79, 95% CI: 0.64-0.98, P(z)=0.030). CONCLUSION The ghrelin Leu72Met polymorphism was protective against type 2 diabetes in Caucasians. Future studies performed in larger sample size are needed to allow a more definitive conclusion.

Association between the IL1B , IL1RN polymorphisms and COPD risk: A meta-analysis

The interleukin-1 (IL-1) gene polymorphisms have been implicated in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) risk, but results are controversial. We aimed to conduct a meta-analysis to address this issue. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to investigate the strength of the association. The meta-analysis revealed no association between the IL1B (−511), (−31), (+3954) polymorphisms and COPD risk. However, stratification by ethnicity indicated that the T allele carriers of the IL1B (−511) polymorphism and the C allele carriers of the IL1B (−31) variant were associated with an increased risk for developing COPD in East Asians (OR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.13–2.31, Pz = 0.009 and OR = 1.55, 95% CI: 1.14–2.11, Pz = 0.006, respectively). The meta-analysis revealed a significant association between the IL1RN (VNTR) polymorphism and COPD risk in all study subjects and East Asians under homozygote model (22 vs. LL: OR = 3.16, 95% CI: 1.23–8.13, Pz = 0.017 and OR = 3.20, 95% CI: 1.13–9.12, Pz = 0.029, respectively). Our meta-analysis suggests that the IL1B (−511), (−31) and IL1RN (VNTR) polymorphisms are associated with COPD risk in East Asians. There is no association between the IL1B (+3954) polymorphism and COPD risk. Further studies should be performed in other ethnic groups besides East Asians.

Association between tumor necrosis factor-α-308G/A polymorphism and obstructive sleep apnea: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE The tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-308G/A polymorphism has been implicated in susceptibility to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, results from previous studies are inconsistent. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the published studies was performed to investigate this association. METHOD We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Weipu databases for published studies evaluating the association between -308G/A polymorphism and OSA. Data were extracted using standardized forms and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. RESULTS Four case-control studies involving a total of 419 cases and 460 controls were included in the meta-analysis. Combined data indicated that individuals carrying the -308A allele had a 65% increased risk of developing OSA when compared with the GG homozygotes (OR=1.65, 95% CI=1.02-2.68, p=0.04). In adults, the risk was even higher, elevated by 100% (OR=2.00, 95% CI=1.26-3.18, p=0.003). CONCLUSION The TNF-α-308G/A polymorphism contributes to the risk of OSA, especially in adults.

Association Between Paraoxonase 2 Ser311Cys Polymorphism and Coronary Heart Disease Risk: A Meta-Analysis

Background The relationship between coronary heart disease (CHD) and the paraoxonase 2 (PON2) Ser311Cys polymorphism has received much attention. We conducted a meta-analysis on the results from published case-control studies examining this relation. Material/Methods A literature search was performed using PubMed and ISI Web of Knowledge databases until October 2015. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using Stata version 11.0 software. Data were pooled using the random-effects model. Results Nine studies were eligible for statistical analysis and included a total of 5278 participants. The results did not support an association between the Ser311Cys polymorphism and CHD in the overall populations (Asians, Caucasians, and a Hispanic mixed population) under dominant (OR 1.07; 95% CI 0.91–1.28; Pz=0.413), recessive (OR 1.19; 95% CI 0.72–1.95; Pz=0.500), homozygote (OR 1.20; 95% CI 0.71–2.03; Pz=0.489), and allelic comparison (OR 1.08; 95% CI 0.91–1.28; Pz=0.390) models. However, in subgroup analysis according to ethnicity, we found that the Ser311Cys polymorphism was associated with CHD risk in Caucasians under recessive (OR 2.08; 95% CI 1.30–3.34; Pz=0.002) and homozygote (OR 2.16; 95% CI 1.33–3.50; Pz=0.002) models. Subgroup analysis indicated no significant association of this polymorphism with CHD in either Asian or Hispanic populations. Conclusions The PON2 Ser311Cys polymorphism is associated with CHD risk in Caucasians, but there is no association between this polymorphism and CHD in Asians or Hispanic populations.

Association between the TGF-β1 polymorphisms and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a meta-analysis

It has been hypothesized that polymorphisms in the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) gene on chromosome 19 modify the risk for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, results from previous studies are contradictory. We therefore conducted a meta-analysis of published case–control studies on the association between five common TGF-β1 polymorphisms (rs1982073, rs1800469, rs2241712, rs6957, and rs2241718) and COPD risk. Data sources were Pubmed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang databases. Twelve studies including 6749 participants were reviewed and analyzed. For the TGF-β1 polymorphism rs1982073, the results indicted that the C allele was associated with decreased risk of COPD in Caucasians (odds ratio (OR) =0.79, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.64–0.99, P=0.038) but not in Asians (OR =0.95, 95% CI: 0.71–1.28, P=0.741). No associations with COPD were identified for other polymorphisms evaluated in the present study including rs1800469 (T allele compared with C allele, OR =0.89, 95% CI: 0.77–1.02, P=0.099), rs2241712 (A allele compared with G allele, OR =1.03, 95% CI: 0.89–1.20, P=0.666), rs6957 (A allele compared with G allele, OR =1.14, 95% CI: 0.95–1.36, P=0.160), and rs2241718 (C allele compared with T allele, OR =0.95, 95% CI: 0.79–1.14, P=0.571). In conclusion, this meta-analysis showed that the C allele of rs1982073 was protective against COPD in Caucasians but not in Asians, whereas there was no association of rs1800469, rs2241712, rs6957, and rs2241718 with COPD.

Letter by Liao et al Regarding Article, “Socioeconomic Status Inconsistency and Risk of Stroke Among Japanese Middle-Aged Women”

We read with great interest the article by Honjo et al1 investigating how status inconsistency affects stroke risk among Japanese women. In a 20-year prospective study of 14 742 middle-aged Japanese women included in the prospective Japan Public Health Center Study Cohort I, the authors evaluated the effect of status inconsistency between education level and occupation on risk of stroke, finding that high academic qualifications without an appropriate job was associated with increased risk of stroke. The study provides preliminary evidence to consider status inconsistency as a risk factor for stroke among Japanese women; however, after careful reading of the article, we would like to raise 2 concerns. First, analysis of …

Single nucleotide polymorphisms of IL-13 and CD14 genes in allergic rhinitis: a meta-analysis

PurposeThe aim of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in interleukin-13 (IL-13) and cluster of differentiation 14 (CD14) genes and the risk for allergic rhinitis (AR).MethodsWe screened studies identified through seven databases including Pubmed, Medline, Web of Science, Embase, China Biology Medicine disc, Wanfang, and China Academic Journal Network Publishing Database. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were determined to assess the association under allelic, dominant and recessive models.ResultsTwelve studies with a total of 8547 participants (3223 cases and 5324 controls) investigated IL-13 SNP rs20541, five studies combining 4580 participants (1411 cases and 3169 controls) examined IL-13 SNP rs1800925, and nine studies with 2301 participants (1174 cases and 1127 controls) assessed CD14 SNP rs2569190. We found that the A allele of IL-13 SNP rs20541 was associated with an increased risk of AR (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.11–1.28, P < 0.001). Stratifying studies by ethnic group produced significant results in Asians (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.11–1.32, P < 0.001), but not in Caucasians (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.00–1.30, P = 0.051). No association of IL-13 SNP rs1800925 and CD14 SNP rs2569190 with AR risk was found in either Asians or Caucasians (P > 0.05).ConclusionOur findings suggest that IL-13 SNP rs20541 is significantly associated with AR risk in Asians but not in Caucasians. However, the accumulating evidence does not support an association of IL-13 SNP rs1800925 and CD14 SNP rs2569190 with AR risk.

Lack of association between the IL-13 C-1112T, G2044A polymorphisms and Graves' disease risk: evidence from a meta-analysis.

Background: Previous studies have provided conflicting evidence implicating the IL-13 C-1112T and G2044A polymorphisms in Graves’ disease (GD) risk. We undertook a meta-analysis to address this issue. Methods: The Medline, Pubmed and Web of Science databases were searched for published case-control studies investigating the relation of the IL-13 C-1112T and G2044A polymorphisms with GD risk. Data were extracted using standardized forms and odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Results: Available data did not suggest an association between any of the two IL-13 polymorphisms and GD risk. For the C-1112T polymorphism, the combined OR was 0.96 (95% CI: 0.77–1.19) for dominant model (TT + CT vs CC), 0.97 (95% CI: 0.69–1.38) for recessive model (TT vs CT + CC), and 0.97 (95% CI: 0.68–1.39) for homozygote model (TT vs CC). ORs for the G2044A polymorphism were similar. In subgroup analyses stratified by ethnicity, we also did not find associations between these two variants and GD risk in Asians or Caucasians. Sensitivity analyses by excluding each of the involved study in turn did not change the pooled results. Conclusion: The IL-13 C-1112T and G2044A polymorphisms are not associated with GD risk.