Healthy North Indian Population Research Articles

Abstract 151: Association of vegetarian and non-vegetarian diet with inflammatory biomarkers in healthy North Indian population

Background: Low-grade chronic inflammation is a known risk factor for the development of age-related diseases such as CVD, diabetes and some cancers, these findings have stimulated research into the influence of nutrition and dietary patterns on inflammatory indices.Aims and Objective: To assess the effect of plant based vs. animal origin diets on serum markers of inflammation in normal healthy individuals.Results: 275 non-vegetarians and 353 vegetarians were included in the study. Weight and BMI was significantly higher in the vegetarians. Both fasting blood glucose and Insulin level were significantly higher in vegetarians, while total cholesterol, HDL, triglyceride and LDL was significantly higher in the non-vegetarians. Serum ALT and ALP was significantly higher and total protein and albumin was lower in vegetarian group. The serum level of IL-6, IL-1, resistin and CRP was significantly higher in vegetarian, while the levels of IL-10, adiponectin were significantly raised in non-vegetarian group. BMI had significant positive correlation with TNFα, IL-6, Resistin, hsCRP and IL-1 β, protein intake had significant negative correlation with TNFα, IL-6, and hsCRP.Conclusion: Vegetarian diet in Indians is associated with higher BMI, blood glucose and insulin level. Non-vegetarian diet is associated with a more favorable inflammatory cytokine profile.

Link between PON 1 gene mutation and recurrent miscarriage among women exposed to pesticides in North India is insignificant

Recurrent miscarriage is a loss of disconcerting disorder characterized by RPL (recurrent pregnancy loss) of pregnancy, affecting around 1-2% of couples trying to conceive. Exposure to pesticide affects spontaneous abortion, and infertility in women. Placental oxidative stress is often linked to miscarriage. Therefore, it is of interest to link PON1 (Q1922R) polymorphism with recurrent pregnancy loss. We selected 200 subjects in which 100 patients with RPL having consecutive 2 or more miscarriages and 100 healthy controls from the northern India for this study. Blood samples were collected for DNA isolation and further assessment. Genotyping of the Q1922R polymorphism was completed using the RFLP markers. The digested PCR product size was 99 bp (control). The heterozygous fragments were found to be 66 and 33 bp homozygous mutants. It was observed that allele frequency homozygous (TT) was more prevalent among control than the case groups among the healthy north-Indian population. However, heterozygous group (Tt) was more in cases compared to control groups as well as homozygous mutant was observed high in control in than case (CI-0.3 to 1.3).

Distribution of MTHFR C677T Gene Polymorphism in Healthy North Indian Population and an Updated Meta-analysis.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a key enzyme of folate pathway. Several polymorphisms were reported in MTHFR gene but C677T polymorphism is most studied and it has been reported to be risk factor for several diseases/disorders. The present study was designed to explore the frequency of MTHFR C677T polymorphism in North Indian healthy population. In addition to this a meta-analysis of published articles was also performed to estimate the global prevalence of MTHFR C677T polymorphism. A total of 1000 unrelated healthy subjects were selected for MTHFR C677T polymorphism analysis. Different databases were searched for eligible articles. Prevalence proportion with 95% CI was used to determine global prevalence of T allele and TT genotype. Meta-analysis was performed by Open meta-analyst. In 1000 blood samples analyzed, the frequency of T allele and TT genotype was 11 and 1% respectively. Results of the meta-analysis showed that the global prevalence of T allele and TT genotype were 24.0% (95% CI 21.7-26.5) and 7.7% (95% CI 6.5-8.9) respectively. In sub-group meta-analysis, the lowest frequency of T allele was found in Africans (10.3%; 95% CI 3.8-16.8), and highest in Europeans (34.1%; 95% CI 31.9-36.3). The frequency of T allele in the North India is 11%. The results of the meta-analysis showed that the frequency of the T allele and the TT genotype of C677T is highest in the Caucasian population.

Cephalometric norms for the upper airway in a healthy North Indian population.

Objective:The aim was to obtain normative data for cephalometric measurements of the upper airway in the North Indian population.Design:Observational study. Setting: University department and teaching hospital out-patient clinic.Subjects and Methods:A total of 180 healthy patients were included out of which 90 were males (age range, 8-16 years), and 90 were females (age range, 8-16 years), with normal skeletal facial profile, no history of snoring, sleep apnea, upper airway disease, tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy, obesity, or pathology in the pharynx. Twenty cephalometric airway measurements, including size of the tongue, soft palate, nasopharynx, oropharynx, hypopharynx, and relative position of the hyoid bone and valleculae were obtained. Landmarks on cephalometric radiographs were digitized and measurements were made using a specially designed computer program. Error analysis of measurements was performed and comparison of measurements according to sex was made.Results:Significant sex dimorphism was seen for the majority of measurements, with the exception of minimal depth of the airway, oropharyngeal depth of the airway, and the soft palate angle with the hard palate.Conclusion:A minimum sagittal dimension of the upper airway was evident despite differences in measurements between sexes. Findings from this study should be a useful reference for the assessment of sleep apnea in the North Indian population.

Association of adiponectin gene polymorphism with adiponectin levels and risk for insulin resistance syndrome.

Background:Adiponectin is an abundant adipose tissue–derived protein with anti-atherogenic, anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic properties. Plasma adiponectin levels are decreased in obesity, type 2 diabetes, and coronary artery disease and low adiponectin levels also predict insulin resistance (IR).Methods:Case-control study in which 642 male and female subjects were participated from the North Indian population. Lipid, insulin, leptin and adiponectin level were estimated using standard protocols by commercially available test kits. Single nucleotide polymorphisms +45T>G and +276G>T of the AMP1 (adiponectin) gene was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism method.Results:Levels of adiponectin, insulin, homeostasis model assessment-IR index (HOMA-IR index), systolic blood pressure and fat mass showed significant differences between male and female subjects. Serum adiponectin level showed highly significant association with both the +45 and the +276 genotypes. The common haplotype triglyceride (TG) showed a significantly lower adiponectin value than other haplotypes (P = 0.0001). A clear trend of decreasing adiponectin levels per copy of the common haplotype was observed. Nonobese insulin sensitive subjects showed a higher adiponectin value (P = 0.0006) than nonobese insulin resistant subjects. The values of blood pressure, adiponectin, insulin, HOMA-IR, total-cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol significantly associated with TG haplotype.Conclusions:We observed the very strong association of the adiponectin 45-276 genotypes and haplotypes with adiponectin levels in healthy north Indian population and TG haplotypes also associated with metabolic parameters of the IR syndrome.

Establishment of Reference Interval for Liver Specific Biochemical Parameters in Apparently Healthy North Indian Population

Reference intervals (RI) are the most common decision support tool used for interpretation of numerical laboratory reports. The quality of the RI can play as large a role in result interpretation as the quality of the result itself. As such there is hardly any study examining RI for liver specific biochemical parameters in Indian population especially north Indians having drastically different food habits as compared to rest of the India. So there is a need to establish the RI for north Indian population. Present study was conducted on 2,021 apparently healthy individuals of north Indian origin ranging in age from 15-60years, were selected randomly using defined criteria. Lipemic, hemolysed, icteric and stored samples were also excluded adopting preanalytical criteria for rejection of sample. Non parametric methodology for determination of RI was adopted as most of the biochemical parameters included revealed non Gaussian distribution. Data were analyzed for middle 95 percentile (2.5th-97.5th percentile), median and 95% confidence interval using SPSS software package version 10.0. The upper and the lower limit of RI (reported Vs observed) for bilirubin (0-1.2 Vs 0.30-1.30mg/dL), serum glutamate oxaloacetate transferase (SGOT) (0-41 Vs 13-52.80IU/L), serum glutamate pyruvate transferase (SGPT) (0-50 Vs 10-68IU/L) showed wide variation as compared to reported standard RI however Gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) (0-50 Vs 5.00-50.60IU/L) remained within the reported standard RI. Further gender wise evaluation revealed higher cutoff in males (AST 14-55, ALT 11-70.35, GGT 6.76-51.09 in IU/L, bilirubin (0.40-1.34mg/dL) as compared to females (SGOT 13-50.43, SGPT 9-63.43, GGT 3.92-48.70 in IU/L, Bilirubin 0.30-1.20mg/dL) for both enzymatic and non enzymatic biochemical parameters. The variations may be attributed to dietary pattern smoking and alcoholism.

Association of metabolic syndrome with carotid atherosclerosis in the young North Indian population

BackgroundMetabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components are associated with increased risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease. Relationship of MetS to carotid atherosclerosis has not been documented well in North Indian population. Aims(1) To determine the incidence of metabolic syndrome in asymptomatic healthy young North Indian population; (2) to evaluate individuals with MetS patients for carotid atherosclerosis by carotid duplex ultrasound examination; (3) to determine the significance of each component of MetS in relation to carotid atherosclerosis in these patients. Methods440 individuals in the age group of 25–50years, asymptomatic for cardiac or cerebrovascular disease were screened for metabolic syndrome. 162 patients from a hospital-based population fulfilled the criteria for MetS (as per NCEP ATP III criteria). Duplex ultrasound (DU) examination of extracranial carotid vessels was performed on all the subjects. 112 age- and sex-matched controls were screened, and they underwent DU examination for comparison. ResultsHypertriglyceridemia was the commonest component seen in 79.6% of the MetS subjects, followed by central obesity seen in 74.6% subjects. Carotid atherosclerotic disease was observed in 21.6% of patients with MetS. Mild atherosclerosis (intima media thickness (IMT) >0.09cm) was observed in 82.8% and 17.3% had plaques with mild stenosis (<50%) in the extracranial carotid arteries. Among patients of MetS with carotid atherosclerotic disease 82.6% had hypertriglyceridemia and 71.5% had 4 or more components for MetS. Among controls, five subjects (4.46%) had evidence of mild carotid atherosclerosis (IMT >0.09cm) on DU. MetS was significantly associated with carotid DU abnormalities (increased IMT >0.09cm) compared to controls (Fischer's exact test p<0.0001). Univariate analysis showed the relationship of hypertriglyceridemia to carotid atherosclerosis (p=0.03). On multivariate regression analysis none of the individual components of MetS contributed significantly to the presence of carotid atherosclerosis. ConclusionsMetS is common in asymptomatic healthy North Indian population, with hypertriglyceridemia being the commonest component of MetS in this population, which may be predictive of carotid atherosclerotic disease. Serum triglyceride estimation can serve as a screen for asymptomatic healthy subjects to select the target population for cerebrovascular disease prevention.

Correlation of Adiponectin and Leptin with Insulin Resistance: A Pilot Study in Healthy North Indian Population

The increasing incidence of obesity, leading to metabolic complications is now recognized as a major public-health problem. Insulin resistance is a central abnormality of the metabolic syndrome, or syndrome X, originally hypothesized by Reaven Insulin resistance is more strongly linked to intra abdominal fat than to fat in other depots. Adipose tissue secretes numerous factors (adipokines) known to markedly influence lipid and glucose/insulin metabolism, oxidative stress, and cardiovascular integrity. Some of these adipokines have been shown to directly or indirectly affect insulin sensitivity through modulation of insulin signaling and the molecules involved in glucose and lipid metabolism. A pilot study was conducted with 80 healthy subjects who were non diabetic, non hypertensive and having no family history of hypertension, the aim was to evaluate the correlation of adiponectin and leptin levels with obesity and insulin resistance markers in healthy north Indian adult population. Serum leptin, adiponectin and insulin was estimated by sandwich ELISA method. In our study, Leptin correlated significantly with BMI (P value of 0.0000), WC (P value=0.007), and HC (P value=0.000). leptin showed significant positive correlation with fasting insulin (P value 0.002), post prandial insulin (P value=0.000) and HOMA-IR (P value=0.002). Adiponectin showed significant positive correlation with triglycerides (P value=0.038), strong negative correlation with HDL-cholesterol (P value=0.017). Serum concentrations of leptin are associated with central body fat distribution. Insulin resistance and adiponectin is associated with dyslipidemia and these all disorders may ultimately lead to metabolic syndrome.

Caspase 8 gene variants in healthy North Indian population and comparison with worldwide ethnic group variations

BACKGROUND:Many strategies are being used for the quest for the disease causing genes. Inter-individual variations in several genes exist. Thus, even if they share the same disease-associated allele, the genomic backgrounds – and hence potential interacting alleles at other loci – of people with different regional ancestries may differ, with a consequent variation in the severity of their disease.MATERIALS AND METHOD:The present study was conducted to determine the distribution of Caspase 8 IVS12-19G/A, Caspase 8D302H, Caspase 8 -652del and Caspase 8 -678del polymorphisms (as frequency distribution of caspases in Indians generally is not yet known), which was then compared with different populations globally. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based analysis was conducted in 205 normal healthy individuals of similar ethnicity.RESULTS:The variant allele frequencies were 17.6% (A) in Caspase 8 IVS12-19G/A, 13.2% (H) in Caspase 8D302H, 23.2% (Del) in Caspase 8 -652del and 24.6% (Del) in Caspase 8 -678del. Further, comparison of frequency distribution of these genes was done with various published studies of different ethnic groups globally.CONCLUSION:It is anticipated from our results that the frequency of these caspase genes exhibits distinctive patterns in India, which could perhaps be attributed to ethnic variation. This study is important as it can form a baseline for screening individuals who are at high risk due to exposure to environmental carcinogens and cancer predisposition, and therefore, might help in investigating linked polymorphisms in a way that will not obscure potential associations between genotype and phenotype.

MTHFR Gene Polymorphism and Its Relationship with Plasma Homocysteine and Folate in a North Indian Population

There is a paucity of data on the prevalence of elevated homocysteine and its relation with plasma folate and the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene in the population of North India. This study evaluates MTHFR gene polymorphism and its relationship with plasma homocysteine and folate levels in a healthy North Indian population. The age of the 200 subjects included in this study was in the range 18-73 (mean 39.4) years. The plasma homocysteine level was elevated in 56.5%, and the plasma folate level was low in 49.5% of the subjects. Heterozygous MTHFR gene polymorphism (CT) was present in 15.5%, and homozygous (TT) in 3.5% of the subjects. Age, diet, and MTHFR gene polymorphisms were related to homocysteine level. All the subjects with the TT and 79% with the CT genotype had a high level of plasma homocysteine, whereas 51% with the CC genotype had a high homocysteine level. After adjustment for the effect of covariates, however, homocysteine was not related to MTHFR gene polymorphism.

Frequency distribution of cytokine gene polymorphisms in the healthy North Indian population

The allelic and genotype frequencies corresponding to 22 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 13 cytokine genes interleukin (IL) 1-alpha (T/C -889), IL1-beta (C/T -511, T/C +3962), IL12 (C/A -1188), interferon-gamma (A/T UTR 5644), transforming growth factor-beta (C/T codon 10, G/C codon 25), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (G/A -308, G/A -238), IL2 (T/G -330, G/T +160), IL4 (T/G -1098, T/C -590, T/C -33), IL6 (G/C -174, G/A nt 565), IL10 (G/A -1082, C/T -819, C/A -592), IL1R (C/T pst11970), IL1RA (T/C mspa111100) and IL4RA (G/A +1902) were determined in 130 healthy North Indian subjects. All genomic typings were performed with polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific assays. An analysis of the allelic and haplotype frequencies in the North Indian population showed a good fit with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for most of the SNPs. The data can be used for anthropological comparisons, as well as for association studies with different diseases and for use in transplant situations involving acute and chronic rejection.

Abstract #825: Correlation of C-Reactive Protein Levels with Insulin Resistance in a Healthy North Indian Population

Abstract #825: Correlation of C-Reactive Protein Levels with Insulin Resistance in a Healthy North Indian Population

Abstract #739: Correlation of C-Reactive Protein Levels with Various Indices of Obesity and Lipid Factors in a Healthy North Indian Population

Abstract #739: Correlation of C-Reactive Protein Levels with Various Indices of Obesity and Lipid Factors in a Healthy North Indian Population

Heterogeneity of HLA-DRB1∗04 and its associated haplotypes in the north indian population

HLA-DR4 has been implicated in several diseases including rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and type I diabetes, the strength of associations being ethnically variable. Unusually high level of heterogeneity in DR4-DQB1 haplotypes has been reported in the Indian population. The present study is an attempt to determine the genetic diversity of the HLA-DR4 allelic family and its associated DQA1-DQB1 haplotypic combinations in the healthy North Indian population. Using PCR-SSP and PCR-SSOP techniques, nine subtypes of DR4 were encountered of which DRB1∗0403 was the most predominant allele (34.8%) followed by ∗0404 (27%), ∗0401(14.6%), and ∗0405 (11%). No examples of ∗0402, ∗0409, ∗0411, ∗0413–∗0417, and ∗0419-23 were encountered, although a few other subtypes, ∗0410 (three examples), ∗0406 and ∗0418 (two examples each), and ∗0407, ∗0408, and ∗0412 (single example each) occurred infrequently in a cohort of 85 HLA-DR4 positive samples studied. Most of these subtypes occurred in combination with DQA1∗03-DQB1∗0302 (69.5%). DRB1∗0403 and ∗0404 exhibited maximum heterogeneity of DQB1 combinations. Haplotype data revealed the presence of 15 different DR4-DQ haplotypes, four of which were found to be “unique” to Asian Indians, not reported in any other population. These results help to explain the observed variability in DR4 associations in autoimmune diseases in Asian Indians and provide support for scientific and historical documentation of extensive admixture in the Indian subcontinent.