Normal and Tumour Tissue mRNA Expressions of Telomerase Complex Genes in Several Types of Cancer

Aims: To investigate the changes in mRNA expression levels of telomerase-related significant proteins in several types of cancer. Methods: Human telomerase reverse transcriptase, pontin, reptin and dyskerin expressions were measured in normal and tumour tissues obtained from 26 patients with colorectal, breast and gastric cancers, using the realtime reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction method. Results: For all patients, no significant difference was found in mRNA expressions of human telomerase reverse transcriptase and dyskerin (p> 0.05), although their levels in tumour tissues were found to be higher than in normal tissues. However, pontin and reptin mRNA expressions were significantly higher in tumour tissues than in normal tissues (p< 0.01). While human telomerase reverse transcriptase showed a high correlation with only pontin (p< 0.001) in normal tissues, high positive correlations were observed between human telomerase reverse transcriptase with pontin (p< 0.005), reptin (p< 0.01) and dyskerin (p< 0.01) in tumour tissues. Conclusion: The increased mRNA expressions of all four genes in tumour tissues may suggest a role in cancer development. Correlations of pontin, reptin and dyskerin with human telomerase reverse transcriptase support the hypotheses describing their roles in telomerase complexes

A new source for developing multi-functional products: biological and chemical perspectives on subcritical water extracts of Sambucus ebulus L.

BACKGROUND: To obtain bioactive fractions from plant material subcritical water is notably advantageous in comparison to any other technique. Excellent solvating properties and selectivity combined with finely tuned reactivity of subcritical water enable exploitation of the potential of plants. Herein subcritical water extraction was used for recovery of bioactive compounds from leaves, roots and fruits of Sambucus ebulus L. Extracts obtained were characterized in terms of biological and chemical fingerprints. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONR: esults obtained by using several antioxidant assays that focused on different mechanisms showed that subcritical water extracts of Sambucus ebulus were powerful antioxidants. Enzyme inhibitory effects were tested against alpha-amylase, alpha-glucosidase and tyrosinase, and the results showed the anti-diabetic potential of the extracts as well as its possible use with skin disorders. Antiproliferative properties were detected on three cell lines (A-549; LS-174 T; HeLa) and showed prominent cytotoxicity against all tumor cell lines. Inhibitory concentrations obtained were in the range 0.58-8.10 mu g mL(-1). Generally, the SCW extracts from leaves exhibited stronger biological activities with higher levels of phenolic compounds compared with the roots and fruits of Sambucus ebulus. Gallic acid, catechin and caffeic acid were identified as major components in these extracts and these components seem to relate with observed biological activity. CONCLUSION: The results obtained suggest that Sambucus ebulus has great potential for preparing new phyto-pharmaceuticals and functional food ingredients. (C) 2017 Society of Chemical Industry