Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) which is a rate-limiting enzyme in heme degradation processes shows a dinucleotide GT repeat in the promoter that alters the level of gene transcription. This study is aimed to assess the association of HO-1 gene promoter polymorphism and metabolic syndrome (MetS). A hundred and fifty two individuals, who were followed in Isfahan Cohort Study since 2001, were enrolled in this study. They consisted of 78 MetS patients and 74 controls without MetS. Blood samples were obtained from all participants and after extracting the genomic DNA, promoter sequence was determined by PCR-based genotyping. The serum levels of iron, ferritin and bilirubin were also measured in all subjects. The proportion of short and long allele frequency did not significantly differ in patients with metabolic syndrome compared to control group. In conclusion, the results showed that there is no significant difference between two groups in (GT)n repeat of HO-1 gene promoter. These findings suggest the insignificant role of genetic risk factors compared to environmental risk factors in the development of MetS.

Using Holter monitoring for measurement of P wave parameters, this study showed an association of OSA with prolonged P-max and P wave dispersion. These results indicate that patients with OSA have disturbances in atrial conduction associated with OSA severity. Repeating this study in a larger sample of patients is warranted.

Background:Recently, the deleterious effects of left bundle branch block (LBBB) on left ventricular systolic function have been taken into consideration.Objectives:The present study aimed to identify underlying factors that predict left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) deterioration in patients suffered from complete LBBB.Patients and Methods:In a retrospective case-control study, the data of 220 consecutive patients diagnosed with LBBB on their electrocardiograms were assessed. They were referred to Isfahan Heart Center in Isfahan Province, Iran in 2013. LVEF deterioration was defined as a decrease in LVEF at least 10% between the baseline and follow-up echocardiography study. Thus, achieving the LVEF values ≤ 40% in patients with an initial EF of > 50% was considered LVEF deterioration.Results:Among 220 patients, 40% of LBBB patients suffered LVEF deterioration within 3 months of initial assessment. The group with LVEF deterioration had higher male to female ratio, had higher NYHA score, and suffered more from systolic hypertension than another group. Those with coronary artery disease (CAD) had also significantly lower LVEF than non-CAD ones. Adverse associations were revealed between systolic blood pressure and LVEF measurement (r = -0.193, P = 0.006) as well as between NYHA score and LVEF (r = -0.215, P = 0.002). A multivariable logistic regression model showed that among baseline variables, male gender (OR = 3.218, P < 0.001), history of systolic hypertension (OR = 2.012, P = 0.029), higher NYHA score (OR = 1.623, P = 0.005), and the presence of coronary artery disease (OR = 2.475, P = 0.028) could effectively predict LVEF deterioration in patients with LBBB.Conclusions:Male gender, history of hypertension, high NYHA score, and the presence of CAD predict LVEF deterioration in patients with LBBB.

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