Genetic polymorphisms affect lipid profiles and are associated with disease complications. Genetic variants in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene are associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In this study, we investigated the effects of VDR genotypes on the lipid profile and disease complications of T2DM patients in a Jordanian population. Ninety T2DM patients were genotyped for four major functional VDR genetic variants, rs2228570 C > T (FokI), rs7975232 A > C (ApaI), rs731236 T > C (TaqI), and rs1544410 C > T (BsmI), using the polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Lipid profiles and diabetes complications were analyzed and correlated with VDR genotypes. We found that the VDR rs7975232 and rs1544410 alleles were significantly (p = 0.008–0.04) associated with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels and retinopathy among patients. Carriers of the rs7975232 A/A genotype exhibited higher levels (49.68 ± 15.86 mg/dL) of HDL than patients with the A/C (44.73 ± 13.38 mg/dL) and C/C (37.93 ± 9.22 mg/dL) genotypes. Moreover, carriers of the rs1544410 T/T genotype had higher levels of HDL (54.31 ± 16.45 mg/dL) than patients with the C/T (43.57 ± 13.24 mg/dL) and C/C (43.98 ± 13.17 mg/dL) genotypes. T2DM patients who carry the rs7975232 C/C genotype were at higher risk (odds ratio [OR] = 7.88) of developing retinopathy compared with carriers of the rs7975232 C/A and A/A genotypes. In addition, T2DM patients with the rs1544410 C/C genotype had a higher risk (OR = 4.21) of developing retinopathy than patients with the rs1544410 C/T and T/T genotypes. Therefore, we concluded that the VDR rs7975232 and rs1544410 alleles were associated with HDL levels and retinopathy and can be considered as potential genetic biomarkers for the lipid profile and retinopathy complication among T2DM patients in a Jordanian population of Arabic origin. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm our findings.

Atorvastatin is commonly used among type 2 diabetic (DM2) patients at the University of Jordan Hospital to prevent cardiovascular complication. However, we noticed that there is a wide inter-individual variation in the efficacy and toxicity of atorvastatin. This study aimed to find out the effects of major genetic variants in 3-Hydroxy-3-Methylglutaryl-CoA Reductase (HMGCR), Apolipoprotein E (APOE), and Solute Carrier Organic Anion (SLCO1B1) genes on atorvastatin response among DM2 patients. A sample of 139 DM2 patients on 20 mg of atorvastatin was included in this study. The lipid and glycemic profile and the levels of hepatic enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase were recorded before and after 3 months of atorvastatin treatment. Additionally, the genetic variants HMGCR rs17244841,APOE rs7412 and rs429357, and SLCO1B1 rs2306283 and rs11045818 were genotyped using an Applied Biosystems DNA sequencing method (ABI3730×1). We found that atorvastatin reduced total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) more significantly (p-value < 0.05) in patients with wild genotype than variant alleles APOE rs7412C > T and SLCO1B1 rs2306283A > G. Furthermore, the ALT level was elevated significantly (p-value < 0.05) by 27% in patients with heterozygous SLCO1B1 rs11045818 G/A genotype, while it was not elevated among wild genotype carriers. Additionally, atorvastatin reduced total cholesterol more significantly (p-value < 0.05) in patients with SLCO1B1 rs2306283A and rs11045818G haplotypes and increased ALT levels by 27% (p-value < 0.05) in patients with SLCO1B1 rs2306283G and rs11045818A haplotypes. In conclusion, it was found in this study that APOE rs7412, SLCO1B1 rs2306283, and rs11045818 genotypes can be considered as potential genetic biomarkers of atorvastatin response among DM2 patients of Jordanian Arabic origin. Further clinical studies with larger sample numbers are needed to confirm these findings.

Subacute thyroiditis following influenza vaccination is a rarely reported condition. Here, we review this condition and report the case of a 40-year-old male who developed subacute thyroiditis following the administration of an influenza vaccine containing the (H1N1) pandemic 2009 strain. Interestingly, the patient had history of pericarditis and his HLA typing showed HLA B35. Physicians should be aware of this complication for influenza vaccine and of the relationship of HLA B35 haplotype with the susceptibility to subacute thyroiditis and other autoimmune disorders.

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of age, gender, body mass index (BMI), food intake, and smoking on serum prolactin (PRL) levels among healthy adults. Methods: In total, 100 healthy adults (46 males and 54 females) aged ≥18 years were recruited. Serum PRL levels were measured after a 9 h overnight fast, 1 h postprandially (early), and 3 h postprandially (late). Results: Mean PRL levels were significantly higher in females than males in the fasting, early, and late postprandial states. PRL levels were suppressed significantly after food intake in both genders. Mean PRL levels were significantly higher in younger individuals (<30 years) in the fasting and the early postprandial states compared to older individuals (≥30 years) and suppressed significantly after food intake in younger individuals only. Mean PRL levels were not significantly different between individuals with a normal BMI (<25 kg/m²) compared to those overweight and with obesity (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²); however, PRL levels were significantly suppressed after food intake only in subjects with a normal BMI. Mean PRL levels did not differ significantly according to smoking status. PRL levels were suppressed significantly after food intake in nonsmokers only. Conclusion: Our data suggest that age, gender, and food intake should be considered when the serum PRL level is measured in clinical practice.