RESUMEN
Polymorphisms in the promoter region of several cytokine genes have been associated with differential cytokine production. Several reports indicate that polymorphisms in the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) genes are associated with lipid abnormalities. The aim of this study was to identify the genotype frequencies for -308G/ATNF-alpha and -174G/CIL-6 polymorphisms in Mexican subjects and to determine the influence of both polymorphisms on serum lipid levels. Serum lipid concentrations were measured in 100 healthy Mexican subjects. Screening of the -308G/ATNF-alpha and -174G/CIL-6 polymorphisms was performed in all participants using PCR-RFLPs. Genotype frequency for TNF-alpha polymorphism was: 87% GG and 13% GA, whereas IL-6 polymorphism was: 77% GG and 23% GC. The polymorphism frequencies obtained in this study were significantly different to Caucasian populations. High serum levels of triglycerides and total cholesterol were associated with GG genotype of the -308 TNF-alpha polymorphism, as well as low HDL-c levels, but no association was found between the -174 IL-6 polymorphism and serum lipid concentrations. We observed a significant association of the -308 TNF-alpha polymorphism with lipid profile in Mexican subjects. Furthermore, the genotype distribution of -308 TNF-alpha and -174 IL-6 polymorphisms in Mexican Mestizo population similar to populations in different continents may be due to our genetic background influenced by the mixture of Spaniards, Indian and black genes.
Asunto(s)
Interleucina-6/genética , Lípidos/sangre , Polimorfismo Genético , Factor de Necrosis Tumoral alfa/genética , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Femenino , Frecuencia de los Genes , Predisposición Genética a la Enfermedad , Genotipo , Humanos , Masculino , México , Persona de Mediana EdadRESUMEN
The ethyl ether (EE) and hydroalcoholic extract (HE) of Magnolia grandiflora L. (Magnoliaceae) seeds, a popular plant utilized in the Mexican traditional medicine because of its antispasmodic as well as other reported pharmacological effects, were studied in adult male Wistar rats. EE and HE orally administered in a single dose of 250 mg/kg (calculated on lipidic base) and 200 mg/kg, exhibited abolition of the extensor reflex of maximal electric induced-seizure test in 50 and 40% of the experimental animals, respectively. They significantly prolonged the sleeping time induced by pentobarbital and only the ethanol extract induced hypothermia. No neurological deficit was exhibited by either extract according to the gait, stance and righting test. Although ulterior toxicological and pharmacological insight is necessary, these results suggest that the chemical constituents of this plant could have utility in the control of epileptic patients presenting convulsive seizures.