GENE POLYMORPHISM OF PHOSPHODIESTERASE 8B (RS4704397) AND ITS ROLE IN SUDANESE EUTHYROID GOITER.

Background and objectives:- Thyroid enlargement and thyroid nodules are common in the general population. The currently to evaluate the relationship between phosphodiesterase 8B gene rs4704397 polymorphism and euthyroid goiter as well as to assess the relationship between this polymorphism and blood levels of TSH, free T4 and free T3 among Sudanese euthyroid goiter patients. Materials and Methods:- In a case control study, thirty patients with euthyroid goiter and thirty five healthy controls were enrolled. The clinical data were obtained and thyroid hormones levels were measured using ELISA. The PDE8B rs4704397 alleles and genotypes were identified by PCR–RFLP analysis, Results:- Analysis of allele frequency showed that, GG, GA and AA genotypes of PDE8B rs4704397 for patients were 13%,, 63%, and 24 %respectively and that for the control group were 33%,, 37%, and 3%. Statistically significant difference was found (p = 0.010) (OR= 2.7). However, the gene polymorphism indicated no association with serum levels of the FT3, FT4 and TSH (p =0.900, 0.053 & 0.070) when the normal allele (G) as compared with the mutant allele (A) among euthyroid goiter patients. Conclusion:- The study concluded that PDE8B A allele is associated with euthyroid goiter where as no association observed with FT4, FT3 and TSH levels.