The 32-base pair deletion on the C-C chemokine receptor 5 gene (CCR5-delta 32) is known as a protective allele against immune system disorders. We have studied this variation in Iranian multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and healthy controls. DNA samples were prepared from the whole blood of 254 patients with MS and 380 healthy controls. We amplified the fragment including the CCR5-delta 32 polymorphism and visualized the products in a documentation system after agarose gel electrophoresis. Data were analysed using one-way ANOVA and Fisher's exact tests with SPSS-v13 and STATA-v8 software. The delta 32 allele was more frequent in MS patients when compared with controls (OR = 2.3, P < 0.0001). Also, we found a significant difference in the frequency of the delta 32/delta 32 genotype among patients and controls (OR = 7.4, P < 0.001). The mean age at onset and progression index was not significantly different between patients with various genotypes. According to our study, the delta 32 allele of the CCR5 gene might be a predisposing factor for MS development in the Iranian population. However, there were no associations between this polymorphism and the clinical course of the disease in this study.

We suggest more studies to confirm these results in other populations.

Background: Iron extra load is an anticipated and lethal consequence of chronic blood transfusion in major beta-thalassemia patients; therefore it is necessary to use an efficient iron chelator drug to stimulate the evacuation of the surplus iron from the body. This trial was performed to compare myocardial and hepatic magnetic resonance imaging T2 (MRI T2*) results of beta-thalassemia patients treated by Deferasirox or combination of Deferoxamine and Deferiprone. Material and Methods: In this clinical trial, 44 patients who were on combination therapy with Deferiprone and Deferoxamine and complied with the inclusion criteria were randomized to either case (Deferasirox) or control (combined therapy) groups. Twenty-two patients in the case group received Deferasirox. For 22 patients in the control group, prior treatment with Deferiprone and Deferoxamine was continued. Myocardial and hepatic MRI T2* results were assessed before and after the study. Moreover, serum ferritin level (SFL) was evaluated every 3 months. Results: SFL at the start of the study did not differ significantly in two groups (2158.1± 1012.2 μg/L in the control group vs. 2145.5±1121.4 μg/L in the case group) (P=0.08). SFL at the end of the study did not differ significantly in two groups (2204.4±1143.5 μg/L in the control group vs. 2347.2±1236.6 μg/L in the case group), either (P=0.12). In each group, myocardial and hepatic MRI T2 at the start and at the end of the trial did not differ significantly (P>0.1). Conclusion: Myocardial and hepatic MRI T2*results were better in the control (combination therapy) group than those in the case (Deferasirox) group. Major beta-thalassemia patients replied to combined treatment better than Deferasirox.