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We investigated the synergism between variants at the PPARγ locus (C161T and Pro12Ala polymorphisms) with insulin resistance on metabolic syndrome (MS). Five hundred twenty-two subjects were investigated for biochemical and anthropometric measurements. The diagnosis of MS was based on the IDF definition (2009). The HOMA 2 was used to determine HOMA-β, HOMA-S, and HOMA-IR from FPG and FPI concentrations. PCR-RFLP was performed for DNA genotyping. We showed that carriers of the Pro/Pro had a significantly higher FPG, FPI, and HOMA-IR. In addition, Pro/Pro subjects also display reduced HOMA-β and HOMA-S together compared to X/Ala (Pro/Ala and Ala/Ala) subjects. Furthermore, subjects with C/C have a significantly lower FPG, FPI, and HOMA-IR and higher HOMA-S compared to X/T (C/T and T/T) subjects. The C/C genotype carriers with an Ala allele group had significantly reduced FPG, FPI, HOMA-IR, and TG and elevated HOMA-S and HOMA-β than the different genotype combinations. We suggest that the haplotype composed of the C/C genotype carriers with an Ala allele of PPARγ2 group enhances susceptibility to the MS in a central Tunisian population.

AIMS Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that regulates the gene expression of the key proteins involved in lipid metabolism, vascular inflammation, and proliferation. PPARγ may contribute toward attenuation of atherogenesis. We investigated the relationship of the Pro 12 Ala PPARγ2 polymorphism with the presence and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) assessed by Gensini score (Gs). MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 239 patients and 244 control individuals were investigated for clinical, biochemical, anthropometric, and angiographic information. Standard definitions were used to diagnose patients with acute coronary syndrome. The Gs system was used to calculate the severity of CAD. The computer model Homeostatic Model Assessment (HOMA) 2 was used to determine β-cell function (HOMA-β), insulin sensitivity (HOMA-S), and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). PCR-RFLP was performed for DNA genotyping for Pro 12 Ala in the PPARγ2 polymorphism. RESULTS Allele frequencies were 0.842 for the Pro allele and 0.158 for the Ala allele. The diseased vessel number was lower in patients with the Ala allele than others. The Gs tended to be lower in patients with the Ala allele than in others [10 (8-16) vs. 24 (16-32), P

Aims: Metabolic Syndrome (MS) is a heterogenic entity and its major limitation was the use of binary components and the dependence of some criteria to ethnic origin and/or gender. We seek to remodel MS criteria to adapt them to the Tunisian context and to determine a sole quantitative MS parameter. Materials and methods: 592 subjects who underwent routine control were investigated for biochemical, anthropometric and clinical examination. The diagnosis of MS was based on the IDF and AHA/NHLBI definition.The computer model HOMA 2 was used to determine HOMA-β, HOMA-S and HOMA-IR. Triglycerides (TG), High Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (cHDL), Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP), HOMA-IR and Waist Circumference Stature (WCS) were used to calculate the different MS markers. The area under curve of ROC curves were used to compare the powers of these MS parameters. Results: HOMA-IR was more informative about glycaemia abnormality, WCS express better android obesity, and TG/cHDL ratio characterizes dyslipidemia. (TG x WCS x HOMA-IR x SBP) / cHDL parameter was more accurate to estimate MS occurrence; its cut-off point is 106.75 Conclusion: This marker, with sensitivity and specificity of 94.4 and 85.1 per cent, can be used either to diagnose or to predict MS occurrence.

Leu162Val PPARαand Pro12Ala PPARγ2 were investigated for their individual and their interactive impact on MS and renal functionality (RF). 522 subjects were investigated for biochemical and anthropometric measurements. The diagnosis of MS was based on the IDF definition (2009). The HOMA 2 was used to determine HOMA-β, HOMA-S and HOMA-IR from FPG and FPI concentrations. RF was assessed by estimating the GFR. PCR-RFLP was performed for DNA genotyping. Allele frequencies were 0.845 for Pro and 0.155 for Ala, and were 0.915 for Leu and 0.085 for Val. We showed that carriers of the PPARαVal 162 allele had lower urea, UA and higher GFR compared to those homozygous for the Leu162 allele. Subjects carried by PPARγ2Ala allele had similar results. They also had reduced FPG, FPI and HOMA-IR, and elevated HOMA-βand HOMA-S compared to those homozygous for the Pro allele. Subjects were divided into 4 groups according to the combinations of genetic alleles of the 2 polymorphisms. Subjects carrying the Leu/Val with an Ala allele had lower FPG, PPI, HOMA-IR, urea, UA levels, higher HOMA-β, HOMA-S and GFR than different genotype combinations. Leu162Val PPARαand Pro12Ala PPARγ2 can interact with each other to modulate glucose and insulin homeostasis and expand their association with overall better RF.

Introduction: Acute gastroenteritis is a widespread disease that is characterized by diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain. It has high morbidity and mortality rate globally. Bacteria, parasites and mostly viruses cause acute gastroenteritis. Most frequent viruses are norovirus, adenovirus, astrovirus and rotavirus. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of the four viruses in the stool samples of patients who were treated at HGH with complaints of acute gastroenteritis. The samples which had been submitted to the microbiology laboratory at HGH, were analyzed by real time-PCR method at Qatar University. The second objective was to compare between ELISA, IMCG and RT-PCR in terms of sensitivity and specificity. Methodology: 288 stool samples and corresponding patients' data were obtained from microbiology laboratory in HMC between 15-Jun-2009 to1-Nov-2009. They were transported to the research lab of biomedical science program- Health Department at Qatar University, where laboratory experiments involving RT-PCR were performed. Statistical analysis was carried out using Excel program. Results: Out of total 288 fecal samples, 131 (45.5%) were positive for the presence of viruses that cause gastroenteritis. Norovirus (28.5%) was the most prevalent, followed by rotavirus (10.4%), adenovirus (6.25%) and astrovirus (0.30%). Conclusion: Norovirus is the most common source of acute gastroenteritis among hospitalized patients, followed by rotavirus. Real time-PCR technique used in this study was found to be more sensitive and specific. By taking RT-PCR as a reference, ELISA and IMCG are found to be similarly low in sensitivity and specificity.