Apolipoprotein E Polymorphism and Alzheimer’s Risk in Kashmiri Population

Background: Although the cause of Alzheimer's disease is unknown, most experts feel that the disease is caused by a combination of circumstances rather than a single cause. Age, gene polymorphism, diabetes, and other conditions are all risk factors for Alzheimer's disease. Given the importance of gene polymorphism in different diseases, we intended to find out the association of APOE gene polymorphism with Alzheimer's risk in the Kashmiri population. Method: Out of 300 patients who were referred to the memory clinic of the hospital, to evaluate the probable relation of APOE gene variation in Alzheimer's disease, we conducted the study on 59 clinically confirmed Alzheimer's patients and 52 age and ethnicity-matched healthy controls found in a community survey. Results: Our data revealed a statistically significant association of ε4 variant genotype of the APOE gene with AD susceptibility in the Kashmiri population. Conclusions: The current study's findings provided insight into the role of APOE polymorphisms in Alzheimer's disease susceptibility. The identified susceptibility variant may become a marker genotype for AD.</jats:p

Environmental Factors as Diabetic Mediators: A Mechanistic Approach

Abstract: Despite substantial investment in research and treatment options, diabetes mellitus remains a pressing public health concern with potential epidemic proportions globally. There are reports that by the end of 2040, 642 million people will be suffering from diabetes. Also, according to an estimation, 1.6 million deaths were caused directly by diabetes in 2016. Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by impaired glucose regulation in the body due to the destruction of pancreatic β-cells or insulin resistance. Genetic propensity, unhealthy and imbalanced diet, obesity and increasing urbanization are the common risk factors for diabetes. Besides this, it has been reported that environmental pollutants like organic pesticides, heavy metals, and air pollutants act as strong predisposing factors for diabetes owing to their highly bio-accumulative nature. These pollutants disturb glucose homeostasis either by up-regulating or down-regulating the expression of diabetic marker genes like insulin (INS) and glucokinase (GCK). Unfortunately, the molecular mechanism of the role of pollutants in causing diabetes is not very clear. This mechanistic review provides evidence of different environmental determinants, including persistent organic pollutants (POPs), air pollutants, toxic metals, etc., in inducing diabetes and proposes a framework for the possible mechanisms involved. It also illuminates the current status and future challenges, which will not only broaden our understanding but can also be a reasonable platform for further investigation. </jats:sec

Genetic Testing of Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young Current Status and Future Perspectives

Diabetes is a global epidemic problem growing exponentially in Asian countries posing a serious threat. Among diabetes, maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) is a heterogeneous group of monogenic disorders that occurs due to β cell dysfunction. Genetic defects in the pancreatic β-cells result in the decrease of insulin production required for glucose utilization thereby lead to early-onset diabetes (often &lt;25 years). It is generally considered as non-insulin dependent form of diabetes and comprises of 1–5% of total diabetes. Till date, 14 genes have been identified and mutation in them may lead to MODY. Different genetic testing methodologies like linkage analysis, restriction fragment length polymorphism, and DNA sequencing are used for the accurate and correct investigation of gene mutations associated with MODY. The next-generation sequencing has emerged as one of the most promising and effective tools to identify novel mutated genes related to MODY. Diagnosis of MODY is mainly relying on the sequential screening of the three marker genes like hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 alpha (HNF1α), hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF4α), and glucokinase (GCK). Interestingly, MODY patients can be managed by diet alone for many years and may also require minimal doses of sulfonylureas. The primary objective of this article is to provide a review on current status of MODY, its prevalence, genetic testing/diagnosis, possible treatment, and future perspective