Serum annexin A2 levels in patients with colon cancer in comparison to healthy controls and in relation to tumor pathology.

BACKGROUND: The deregulation and localization of the Annexins is consistently reported to have close relation to tumor cell malignancy, invasion, and metastasis as well as clinical progression of tumors. This study aimed to evaluate serum Annexin A2 (Anx A2) levels in patients with colon cancer in comparison to healthy controls and in relation to demographics and tumor pathology. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 100 patients (mean (SD) age: 58 (5.8) years, 55.0% females) with colon cancer and 70 controls (mean (SD) age: 59 (5.4) years, 50.0% females) were included. Serum levels for Anx A2 were evaluated in relation to study group, demographics, and tumor pathology. RESULTS: Serum levels for Anx A2 were significantly lower in patients with colon cancer than in controls (13.1 (4.5) vs. 22.8 (2.1) ng/mL, p<0.001) and significantly decreased with increase in tumor size (p=0.003), and at higher stages of TNM (p=0.004), tumor invasion (p=0.005), lymph node metastasis (p=0.003), and distant metastasis (p=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate a significant decrease in Anx A2 expression in colon cancer patients compared to healthy controls and in parallel with tumor progression.

Rate of T alleles and TT genotype at MTHFR 677C->T locus or C alleles and CC genotype at MTHFR 1298A->C locus among healthy subjects in Turkey: impact on homocysteine and folic acid status and reference intervals.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is important for folate and homocysteine (Hcy) metabolism. MTHFR 677C->T and 1298A->C MTHFR are two most common mutations which can affect folate and total homocysteine (tHcy) status. This study was designed to determine the rate of MTHFR 677C->T and 1298A->C mutations, and their influence on serum folate, Hcy and vitamin B12 status and the reference intervals in 402 healthy Turkish adults. The rate of MTHFR 677C->T or 1298A->C mutations was 50.7% or 54.7%, respectively. The MTHFR 677C->T mutation-specific reference intervals for serum folate and tHcy were characterized by marked shifts in their upper limits. In homozygote subjects for MTHFR 677C->T serum folate concentration was lower and serum tHcy concentration was higher than those in the wild genotype; all subjects had lower serum folate and 54% of the subjects had higher tHcy concentrations than the cutoff values of or=12 micromol/L, respectively. Serum vitamin B12 status was similar in all genotypes. Serum tHcy concentrations were inversely correlated with serum folate and vitamin B12 concentrations in all genotypes. These data show that the rate of MTHFR 677C->T and 1298A->C mutations is very high in Turks and serum folate and tHcy status are impaired by these mutations.

Oxidation of apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins and serum paraoxonase/arylesterase activities in major depressive disorder.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is blaimed to play a role in the onset of coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of the present study was to investigate serum paraoxonase/arylesterase activities and oxidation of apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins in patients with MDD. Oxidation of lipoproteins plays an important role in atherogenesis and the enzyme paraoxonase, has been shown to prevent lipoprotein oxidation. Furthermore, low paraoxonase activity was suggested to predict CAD. Eighty-six patients who fully met the fourth Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria for MDD and 36 healthy control subjects were included in the study. Serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities were determined spectrophotometrically. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels of apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins were determined before (basal) and after incubation with copper-sulphate, that yielded basal- and Delta-MDA values, respectively. Serum paraoxonase/arylesterase activities were significantly reduced in the post-treatment group compared with the pre-treatment group. Basal-MDA (MDA) level was significantly higher in the MDD group compared with the control group. Delta-MDA level of the severe MDD group was significantly higher than that of the control group. There was a positive correlation between the oxidizability of apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins and the severity of the disease. Total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, apolipoprotein B levels were significantly higher and apolipoprotein AI levels were significantly lower in the MDD group compared with those of the control group. The findings of the present study suggest that: 1) antidepressant treatment might reduce serum paraoxonase activity/mass; 2) oxidation and oxidizability of apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins seem to be increased in MDD.

Active and total ghrelin concentrations increase in breast milk during lactation.

AIM: To assess ghrelin status in breast milk and maternal serum for up to 180 days during lactation and to determine relationships between the concentrations of ghrelin in mother's milk and in serum of breastfed infants. METHODS: Blood and breast milk samples were collected from 159 breastfeeding women enrolled either in the first 3 days, or in days 4-14, 15-30, 31-90 and 91-180 postpartum. Blood samples were also collected from 49 breastfed infants at 4-30 days of age. Milk and serum active and total ghrelin concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Active and total ghrelin concentrations in breast milk were lowest (450 +/- 25 and 880 +/- 80 pg/mL, respectively) at 0-3 days, whereas they increased progressively during 180 days of lactation period to 801 +/- 43 and 3250 +/- 380 pg/mL at 91-180 days postpartum. Milk total ghrelin concentrations correlated with serum concentrations of active (r = 0.503; p < 0.001) and total ghrelin (r = 0.331; p < 0.05) in breastfed infants at 4-30 days of age. In breastfeeding women, serum total ghrelin concentrations increased whereas serum active ghrelin concentrations decreased significantly during the next 4-180 days. CONCLUSION: Active and total ghrelin concentrations in breast milk increase with time during lactation and show significant relations with serum ghrelin concentrations in breastfed infants.