Uteroglobin gen polymorphism i̇n henoch-schönlei̇n purpura

Purpose: Uteroglobin, (UG) is a multifunctional protein which can be induced by steroid, interfere metabolization of arachidonic acid by inhibition of phospholipase A2 and also synthesis of prostaglandins and leukotriens. In this study, we aim to investigate the role of UG G38A polymorphism in HSP patients based on the thesis that states UG gene polymorphism may reduce the suppressive effects of UG on synthesis of inflammatory mediators and eliminate antiinflammatory effect of UG, thus contributing to formation and progression of IgA-related vascular inflammatory diseases like Henoch-Shönlein purpura (HSP), and furthermore absence of UG may trigger and promote renal damage by formation of IgA fibronectin complexes. Material and Method: Children (n=72) with the diagnosis of Henoch Schönlein purpura in Gaziantep University Hospital Department of Pediatric Nephrology, and healthy voluntary children (n=90) were included in the study. Patients were divided into subgroups to investigate the relation of gene polymorphism and HSP-related organ/system involvement. To detect the UG G38A gene polymorphism, the DNA extracted from blood samples of both children with HSP and the control group, were analyzed with PCR-RFLP method. Results: Genotypic distribution of UG gene G38A (G/A) were detected as GG 46 (64%), AG 14 (19%) and AA 12(17%) in the patient group and GG 39(43%), AG 41(46%) and AA 10 (11%) in the control group. GG genotype was more common among children with HSP while AG genotype among the control group. It was detected that likelihood of HSP occurrence is 2.31 folds increased (p=0,0145, OR= 2.31) among children with GG genotype. It was also observed that allele distribution did not have any influence on likelihood of HSP occurrences. On an organ-based assessment, statistically significant differences were not observed between genotype and renal involvement (p=0,89), abdominal pain (p=0,623), occult blood positivity in stool (p=0,370) or joint involvement (p=0,162). Conclusions: We observed that UG gene G38A polymorphism presence comprises risk factor for HSP development, while a similar relationship could not be established with organ involvement. Further studies need to be conducted with larger patient groups including all polymorphisms in order to clarify the association between UG gene G38A polymorphism and HSP. Key Words: Henoch-Schönlein Purpura, Polymorphism, Uteroglobin gene.