Glutathione-S-Transferase Variants are not Associated With Increased Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Turkish Familial Mediterranean Fever Patients

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in patients diagnosed with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) and investigate whether there is a relationship between glutathione-S-transferase (GST) gene polymorphisms and CIMT. Patients and methods: Sixty FMF patients (17 males, 43 females; mean age: 31.43±11.36 years; range 18 to 45 years) and 60 healthy controls (22 males, 38 females; mean age: 29.8±5.82 years; range 18 to 40 years) were enrolled in this study. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism methods were carried out to assess GST polymorphisms. CIMT was measured by carotid ultrasonography. Biochemical parameters were also evaluated using biochemical methods. Results: Right and left CIMT of FMF patients were statistically significantly higher than that of control group (CIMT right p=0.001 and CIMT left: p=0.033). There was no significant association in terms of GST polymorphisms between FMF and control groups. No significant association was observed between GST polymorphisms and CIMT. Low density lipoprotein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and fibrinogen levels were significantly higher in the patient group (p<0.05). The difference between groups was not significant in terms of other biochemical parameters (p>0.05). Conclusion: Although no significant association was observed between GST polymorphisms and CIMT in FMF patients and controls, CIMT was statistically significantly higher in FMF patients compared to controls.

Intima media thickness as an early predictor of atherosclerosis in Egyptian children with familial Mediterranean fever

“…Other studies that were done in adults with FMF matched our results, such as the study done by Gürbüz et al [16]. Another study that was conducted by Akdogan et al [17] showed that the mean CIMT in patients was higher than the mean in the controls 0.06 ±0.07 and 0.05 ±0.07 respectively.…”

Indirect evaluation of amyloid deposition by ultrasonography and its relationship with MEFV gene mutation in FMF patients

“…Renal or submucosal rectal biopsies are used for showing amyloidosis deposition in tissues. Recently, there have been studies in the literature reporting that secondary findings of amyloidosis deposition can be shown in a non‐invasive manner by ultrasonography and Doppler, and amyloid‐dependent organ failure can be determined 11,12 . However, there are not any sufficient studies evaluating amyloidosis deposition by shear wave elastography (SWE) in the literature, and the studies are limited to the thyroid and salivary glands.…”

“…Recently, there have been studies in the literature reporting that secondary findings of amyloidosis deposition can be shown in a non-invasive manner by ultrasonography and Doppler, and amyloid-dependent organ failure can be determined. 11,12 However, there are not any sufficient studies evaluating amyloidosis deposition by shear wave elastography (SWE) in the literature, and the studies are limited to the thyroid and salivary glands. In our study, we evaluated the phenotype-genotype correlation between tissue parenchyma stiffness and vascular resistances by MEFV gene mutation analysis.…”