L-MYC gene polymorphism and risk of thyroid cancer

L-myc gene polymorphism is a representative genetic trait responsible for an individual’s susceptibility to several cancers. However, there have been no reports concerning the association between thyroid cancer and L-myc gene polymorphism. Aim: To analyze the distribution of L-myc gene polymorphism in Turkish patients with thyroid disorders and thyroid cancers. Methods: We used a molecular genotyping method, polymerase chain reaction-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). We studied 138 patients of whom 47 had multinodular goiter, 13 had follicular cancer and 69 had papillar cancer, in comparison with control group of 109 healthy individuals. Results: No significant difference in the distribution of genotypes was observed between thyroid patients and controls. Carrying SS or LS genotype revealed a 1.96-fold (95% CI 0.573–6.706) risk for the occurrence of follicular cancer when compared with controls, and 3.11-fold (95% CI 0.952–10.216), when compared with multinodular goiter patients (p = 0.04). Conclusion: We suggest that L-myc genotype profiling together with other susceptibility factors, may be useful in the screening for thyroid nodular malignancy.Для ряда опухолей человека показана корреляция между риском развития опухоли и определенным вариантом гена L-MYC. Данные о наличии такой связи при раке щитовидной железы к настоящему времени отсутствуют. Цель: проанализировать распределение полиморфных типов гена L-MYC в популяции больных с доброкачественными и злокачественными поражениями щитовидной железы, включая рак щитовидной железы, в Турции. Методы: для анализа полиморфизма гена L-MYC использован метод молекулярного генотипирования, в частности, метод определения полиморфизма длины рестрикционных фрагментов, основанный на полимеразной цепной реакции (PCR-RFLP). Определение проводили в лейкоцитах 138 больных, в том числе 48 больных с узловым зобом, 13 больных фолликулярным раком щитовидной железы и 69 больных папиллярным раком. Контрольную группу составляли 109 здоровых лиц. Результаты: статистически достоверных различий в распределении исследуемых генотипов у больных с патологией щитовидной железы и здоровых лиц не выявили. Показано, что относительный риск фолликулярного рака щитовидной железы у больных-носителей генотипа SS или LS составляет 1,96 по сравнению со здоровыми лицами (при 95% доверительном интервале от 0,573 до 6,706) и 3,11 по сравнению с больными с узловым зобом (при 95% доверительном интервале от 0,952 до 10,216) (р = 0,04). Выводы: по нашему предположению, определение профиля полиморфизма гена L-MYC с учетом других факторов, определяющих предрасположенность к развитию опухолей, может быть полезным при скрининге озлокачествления узелковых образований щитовидной железы

Investigation of NF-B1 and NF-BIA Gene Polymorphism in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is a complex, multifactorial disease which is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women. NF-B is a transcription factor which is known to affect the expression of more than 150 genes related to inflammation, lymphocyte activation, cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, as well as contributing to cell apoptosis and survival. However, NF-BIA (I B ) is the inhibitor of the transcription factor. The -94ins/delATTG polymorphism of the NF-B1 gene promoter region which causes a functional effect and NF-BIA 3 UTR A → G polymorphism has been shown to be related to various inflammatory diseases and cancer. Ninety-five NSCLC patients and 99 healthy controls were included in study. The NF-B1 -94ins/delATTG and NF-BIA 3 UTR A → G polymorphism have been studied by using PCR-RFLP method. It was found that the NF-B1 -94ins/delATTG DD genotype and D allele frequencies were higher in patients than healthy controls and the presence of the DD genotype has a 3.5-fold increased risk of the disease (P: 0.014). This study is the first to investigate the NF-B1 -94ins/delATTG and NF-BIA 3 UTR A → G polymorphism together in the Turkish population. According to the results, the NF-B1 -94ins/del ATTG promoter polymorphism may have a role in lung carcinogenesis and prognosis

Genetic Associations in the Vitamin D Receptor and Colorectal Cancer in African Americans and Caucasians

Low vitamin D levels are associated with an increased incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) and higher mortality from the disease. In the US, African Americans (AAs) have the highest CRC incidence and mortality and the lowest levels of vitamin D. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene have been previously associated with CRC, but few studies have included AAs. We studied 795 AA CRC cases and 985 AA controls from Chicago and North Carolina as well as 1324 Caucasian cases and 990 Caucasian controls from Chicago and Spain. We genotyped 54 tagSNPs in VDR (46586959 to 46521297 Mb) and tested for association adjusting for West African ancestry, age, gender, and multiple testing. Untyped markers were imputed using MACH1.0. We analyzed associations by gender and anatomic location in the whole study group as well as by vitamin D intake in the North Carolina AA group. In the joint analysis, none of the SNPs tested was significantly associated with CRC. For four previously tested restriction fragment length polymorphisms, only one (referred to as ApaI), tagged by the SNP rs79628898, had a nominally significant p-value in AAs; none of these polymorphisms were associated with CRC in Caucasians. In the North Carolina AAs, for whom we had vitamin D intake data, we found a significant association between an intronic SNP rs11574041 and vitamin D intake, which is evidence for a VDR gene-environment interaction in AAs. In summary, using a systematic tagSNP approach, we have not found evidence for significant associations between VDR and CRC in AAs or Caucasians

Enhanced casein kinase II (CK II) activity in human lung tumours

Background: Casein kinase 11 (CK II) is expressed at a higher level in lung tumours when compared to the corresponding non-neoplastic lung tissue. Materials and Methods: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the activity of CK II both in neoplastic and non-neoplastic human lung tissue by using a synthetic peptide with Arg-Arg-Arg-Asp-Asp-Asp-Ser-Asp-Asp-Asp (RRRDDDSDDD) sequence. One unit of CK If activity is defined as the amount catalysing the transfer of I pmol P-32 into the substrate within I minute at 37degreesC. Results: The activities measured for the neoplastic and non-neoplastic tissues were 1250-1500 U/mg protein and 100-500 U/mg protein, respectively. According to these results, the maximum activity observed in the lung carcinomas was 2 to 3-fold higher than the lung tumour specimens when compared to the non-neoplastic lung tissue. The activity range of CK II was between 500-1500 U mg protein. Conclusion: Our results suggest that CK 11 plays an important role in cellular proliferation and the mechanism of its activation

Aprotinin reduces the IL-8 after coronary artery bypass grafting

The effect of aprotinin, a protease inhibitor, on myocardial interleukin-8 (IL-8) production after ischemia-reperfusion injury was investigated. Twenty patients who had elective coronary artery bypass grafting were included in this study, Patients were randomly divided into two groups (n = 10 in each). Group A patients received high dose aprotinin (20,000 IU/kg as pretreatment followed by 7500 IU/kg for 6 h) and Group B patients received normal saline as a control. Serum IL-8 levels after the termination of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) showed a significant improvement in aprotinin treated group compared to control group (70+/-42.6 vs 360.71+/-87.9 ng/ml) (P<0.005). Levels were also significantly higher at post-operative 24th hour in patients who did not received aprotinin (340.16+/-92.10 vs 96.13+/-34.33 ng/ml). However at post-operative 48th hour levels were again higher in control (untreated) group, but the difference was not statistically significant (78.8+/-34.4 vs 42.8+/-9.29 ng/ml)

Trace element alterations before and after cardiopulmonary bypass in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting

Trace elements (TE) are known to play a key role in myocardial metabolism. In this study, the serum levels of zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) were determined in 15 consecutive patients with coronary artery disease admitted for coronary artery bypass grafting. To analyze the trace elements, blood samples were drawn into metal-free tubes just prior to the start of cardiopulmonary bypass; within the first 30 min of cardiopulmonary bypass; 30 min following cardiopulmonary bypass; first postoperative day; 2nd postoperative day and 3rd postoperative day. Trace element analyses were performed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Mean age was 53.1 +/- 8.7 years and 87% were men. Mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was 80.8 +/- 18.1 min. The preoperative serum concentrations of zinc were normal. There were remarkable decreases in serum levels of Cu and Zn on the second postoperative day in all patients compared to the preoperative levels of Cu and Zn. On the first postoperative day, mean levels of zinc were decreased and a gradual rise followed on the third day. All patients had serum zinc above the lower limit of normal range. These data indicate that severe loss of various trace elements might occur in patients undergoing cardio pulmonary bypass