Polymorphisms in the activin A receptor type 2A gene affect the onset time and severity of preeclampsia in the Turkish population

WOS: 000321288000007PubMed ID: 23633461Aim: To investigate the possible roles of selected single nucleotide gene polymorphisms (SNPs) of the activin A receptor type 2A (ACVR2A) gene in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Methods: Ninety-four patients with preeclampsia and 166 healthy pregnant women were included in this study. Genomic DNA was extracted from venous blood and were stored at -80 degrees C before the analysis. Selected ACVR2A SNPs (rs10497025, rs1128919, rs13430086) were determined in an ABI 7900 HT Real-Time PCR instrument. Results: For all three SNPs, no statistically significant difference was found between preeclampsia and control groups in terms of genotype and allele frequencies. In the late preeclampsia group, with regard to the rs1128919 SNP, the frequency of GG genotype was found to be significantly lower (P = 0.02). Although the frequency of "A" allele was found to be higher (P = 0.05; OR = 1.54), and the "G" allele was found to be lower (P = 0.05; OR = 0.65), the results did not reach statistical significance in late preeclamptic patients. For the rs1128919 SNP, the frequency of the AA genotype was found to be significantly higher in both mild (P = 0.004) and severe (P = 0.0001) preeclampsia groups, whereas the frequency of GG genotype was found to be significantly lower (P = 0.008, and P = 0.0001, respectively). For the rs13430086 SNP, while the frequency of the AA genotype was found to be significantly lower in both mild (P = 0.02) and severe (P = 0.0001) preeclamptic patients, the frequency of TT genotype was found to be significantly higher in only severe preeclampsia group (P = 0.0001). Conclusion: ACVR2A gene polymorphisms may play a role in the development of preeclampsia

Clostridial collagenase aggravates the systemic inflammatory response in rats with partial-thickness burns

WOS: 000260284700005PubMed ID: 18407417Aim: Clostridial collagenase A (CCA) has been shown effective in degrading collagen in eschar tissue and promoting healing in partial-thickness burns. As there are also reports of fever, leukocytosis, increased C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and septic complications during treatment with CCA, we aimed to determine in rats whether CCA aggravates the systemic inflammatory response. Methods: Rats with partial-thickness burns were randomly divided into groups with either no dressing (ND), povidone-iodine dressing (PID) or CCA dressing (CCAD). Body weights and temperatures, blood leukocyte counts, and serum levels of CRP, interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), were measured at 0, 3, and 24 h and days 3 and 7 from burn. Wounds were cultured on days 1, 3 and 7 and burn depth was evaluated on day 1. Results: Body weights for all groups were significantly lower after burn, with highest loss (25.5%) in the CCAD group. At 3 h a significant drop in rectal temperature was noted in all groups. The CCAD group had higher rectal temperature levels than the PID group on days 3 and 7 (p < 0.05). Changes in serum levels of CRP, IL-1 beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha were not significant in the ND and PID groups; the CCAD group showed a significant rise in serum levels of CRP on day 1, of IL-6 on day 3 and of TNF-alpha on day 7. Wound infection was more common in CCAD group and increased on days 3 and 7, but this was insignificant. Conclusion: CCA aggravated the systemic inflammatory response in rats with partial-thickness burns, which is accompanied by a higher risk of infection. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.Ege University Branch Office of Research ProjectsEge University [05TIP011]This study was supported by Ege University Branch Office of Research Projects (Project Number: 05TIP011)

The interaction between antioxidant status and cervical cancer: a case control study

WOS: 000293616300006PubMed ID: 21789005Aims and background. To compare the antioxidant status of cervical cancer patients with healthy controls and to assess the antioxidant levels before and after radiotherapy or radiochemotherapy. Methods and study design. Antioxidant levels (glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and malondialdehyde) were measured in 35 patients with cervical cancer and 35 age-matched healthy controls. Blood samples were collected twice (before and after treatment) from cervical cancer patients and once from healthy control subjects. Results. In the patient group, pre-radiotherapy glutathione and glutathione peroxidase levels were significantly lower (P < 0.01 and P < 0.0001, respectively) than the control group. Pre-radiotherapy levels of superoxide dismutase were significantly higher in cancer patients (P < 0.01). In general, no difference was observed between pre- and post-radiotherapy antioxidant levels in cancer patients. However, when post-radiotherapy glutathione levels were analyzed, patients who did not respond to treatment had significantly higher levels than those who did respond (P < 0.01). Conclusions. Levels of antioxidants significantly differed between the patients with cervical cancer and the controls, and no change in antioxidant levels was observed after treatment. Moreover, further studies evaluating the predictive value of glutathione levels on treatment response are warranted.Ege University Scientific Research BoardEge University [2004-TIP-007]The study was supported by Ege University Scientific Research Board with project number of "2004-TIP-007". We gratefully thank the clinical nurses from the Department of Radiation Oncology Oya Bildik, Emine Kaya and Figan Gulersoy for their assistance. We also thank Nurten Cetiner, Asil Gonul, Tayyibe Yeni, Nurdan Guldiken and Ozge Tokul, from AREL (Research and Education Laboratory), Ege University School of Medicine, for their technical assistance

Determination of the effects of Alcohol Dehydrogenase (ADH) 1B and ADH1C polymorphisms on alcohol dependence in Turkey

WOS: 000301308000010PubMed ID: 22325912Alcoholism is a complex genetically influenced disorder which refers to alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence. There are controversial results on the role of gene polymorphisms in alcohol dependence in the literature. Differences in population groups and selective inclusion criteria for alcohol dependence may affect results. In this study, we investigated the role of ADH1B Arg48His (rs1229984) and, ADH1C Ile350Val (rs698) gene polymorphisms in Turkish population. 100 healthy volunteers and 75 patients who were admitted to Ege University Alcohol Dependence Unit enrolled in the study. We found significant increase both in ADH1B (Arg48His) polymorphism Arg allele and Arg/Arg genotype frequency in patients. No profound connection between alcohol dependence and ADH1C Ile350Val gene polymorphism was detected. Alcohol dependence is an important health problem that depends on many genetic and environmental factors but we think that it is possible to interpret genetic risk for developing early diagnostic methods and treatment strategies by comprehensive linkage and association studies. (C) 2011 Forensic Science Society. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.Ege UniversityEge University [2004-TIP-024]This study was supported by Ege University Grant (2004-TIP-024). We are grateful to the Department of Pediatrics, Molecular Medicine Laboratory staff for their generous technical assistance

GENE EXPRESSION PROFILING UNDER DIFFERENT IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE PROTOCOLS

WOS: 00026939280106

Calcineurin inhibitor-based and free regimens have distinct gene expression patterns in subclinical graft fibrosis

WOS: 000293321500012PubMed ID: 21716190Background: Chronic nephrotoxic effects of calcineurin inhibitors may be responsible for late allograft dysfunction and reduced allograft half-life. Mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors (mTOR-i's), a newer class of immunosuppressant, do not have the chronic nephrotoxic effects shown with calcineurin inhibitors (CNI). Whether these drug classes have distinct features at the molecular level is not clear. Material/Methods: Difference in gene expression profiles of kidney graft protocol biopsies from patients treated with CNI or mTOR-i's were investigated. Biopsies from patients using CNI (n=4) and mTOR-i-based treatments (n=4) were analyzed. The control group consisted of 5 biopsies obtained at the time of implantation (zero hour). Microarray hybridization was performed using the Affymetrix (R) GeneChip U133 plus 2.0 Array. Results: In the CNI and mTOR-i groups, 64 up-regulated and 119 down-regulated genes were found compared to control subjects. A total of 29 genes in the CNI group and 101 genes in the mTOR-i group were up-regulated compared to each other. Conclusions: Despite similar clinical courses and histopathological appearances, different treatment strategies cause different gene expression profiles in kidney transplantation