Genetic polymorphism of N acetyltransferase 2 and its association with tumor markers and cigarette smoking in hepatocellular carcinoma

Human N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) is polymorphic and may associate with cancer risk by modifying susceptibility to cancers from carcinogen  exposure. NAT2 capacity varies in humans and is often subdivided into rapid and slow acetylator phenotypes. This study aimed to describe the genetic pattern of NAT2 in hepatocellular carcinoma patients and detecting if there is variation of the pattern of polymorphism compared to liver  cirrhotic patients and normal healthy controls. This study included 50 newly diagnosed untreated hepatocellular carcinoma patients, 25 patients having liver cirrhosis and 25 age and sex- matched healthy subjects as a control group. All subjects were investigated for liver function tests, tumor markers[Alfa-fetoprotein (AFP), Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) and CA19-9] and NAT-2 genotyping using PCR-RFLP technique. The results of this study  revealed high prevalence of slow acetylator phenotype in HCC (56%) and cirrhotic (68%) groups versus 16 % in control group. However, the rapid acetylator was the highly prevalent phenotype among the control group (56%) versus (8%) for each of HCC and cirrhotic groups. Of note, one of slow acetylator phenotypes (M3/NAT2*7) was only detected in HCC cases (22%) and AFP levels were significantly higher in those cases. Moreover, 40% of HCC patients were heavy smokers, 85% of them showed to have NAT2 slow acetylator phenotype, which could suggest a role of smoking in HCC. These results suggest that NAT2 polymorphism may exert a strong effect on individual susceptibility to HCC particularly in heavy smokers. NAT2*7 phenotype showed a significant correlation with HCC cases and should be further studied. Also, NAT-2 polymorphism pattern should be studied on a larger scale to know its distribution in the Egyptian  population.Keywords: NAT2 polymorphism, HCC, smoking, tumor markers

High malnutrition rate in Venezuelan Yanomami compared to Warao Amerindians and Creoles: significant associations with intestinal parasites and anemia

Contains fulltext : 125614.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)BACKGROUND: Children in rural areas experience the interrelated problems of poor growth, anemia and parasitic infections. We investigated the prevalence of and associations between intestinal helminth and protozoan infections, malnutrition and anemia in school-age Venezuelan children. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 390 children aged 4-16 years from three rural areas of Venezuela: the Amazon Region, Orinoco Delta and Carabobo State. Stool samples were collected for direct parasitic examinations. Anthropometric indicators of chronic (height-for-age Z score) and acute (weight-for-height and Body Mass Index (BMI)-for-age Z score in respectively children under 5 years of age and children aged 5 years and above) malnutrition were calculated. Multivariate linear and logistic regression models were built to determine factors associated with nutritional status and polyparasitism. RESULTS: Hookworm and Strongyloides stercoralis prevalences were highest in children from the Amazon rainforest (respectively 72% and 18%) while children from the Orinoco Delta and Carabobo State showed higher rates of Ascaris lumbricoides (respectively 28% and 37%) and Trichuris trichiura (40% in both regions). The prevalence of Giardia lamblia infection was not significantly different between regions (average: 18%). Anemia prevalence was highest in the Amazon Region (24%). Hemoglobin levels were significantly decreased in children with a hookworm infection. Malnutrition was present in respectively 84%, 30% and 13% of children from the Amazon Region, Orinoco Delta and Carabobo State. In multivariate analysis including all regions, G. lamblia and helminth infections were significantly and negatively associated with respectively height-for-age and weight-for-height/BMI-for-age Z scores. Furthermore, hemoglobin levels were positively associated with the height-for-age Z score (0.11, 95% CI 0.02 - 0.20). CONCLUSIONS: In rural populations in Venezuela helminthiasis and giardiasis were associated with acute and chronic nutritional status respectively. These data highlight the need for an integrated approach to control transmission of parasites and improve the health status of rural Venezuelan children