Promoter methylation of P15(INK4B) gene is possibly associated with parvovirus B19 infection in adult acute leukemias.

In this study, we examined the P15(INK4B) gene promoter methylation in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome and acute leukemia and its possible relationship with parvovirus B19 and Epstein-Barr virus infections. P15(INK4B) methylation frequency was significantly higher in acute leukemia patients than in that of non-malignant patients (P < 0.05). When the patients with myelodysplastic syndrome were included, no significant difference was found between these groups regarding the methylation status. The possible correlation between P15(INK4B) promoter methylation and parvovirus B19 infection was observed in adult acute leukemia patients (P < 0.05). However, no similar relationship in EBV-infected patients was observed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report showing the possible association between P15(INK4B) promoter methylation and parvovirus B19 infection in acute leukemia.

Misoprostol enhances early fracture healing: a preliminary biochemical study on rats.

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate if misoprostol, a methyl derivative of prostaglandin E1, enhanced fracture healing in 54 male adult Sprague-Dawley rats. The base level of serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in 6 randomly selected rats was measured. Rats were then randomly separated into 3 groups and their tibias fractured. First and second groups received misoprostol for 4 weeks, 100 and 300 microg/kg/day respectively via oral route. The third group had no misoprostol. p<0.05 was considered significant. Elevation of ALP level in the 2nd week was significant in group 1, it was not in group 2 or 3; in the 4th week it was significant in all groups. In conclusion dosage dependent osteoinductive effect of misoprostol was shown in the early bone healing period. Biochemical findings in the latter period did not show any inhibitory effect of misoprostol on bone healing. Further studies, probably biomechanical, may be required for the final verdict.

Apolipoprotein E polymorphism and lipoprotein compositions in normolipidaemic xanthelasma patients.

BACKGROUND: Apolipoprotein E (apoE) phenotypes and lipoprotein compositions in xanthelasma patients have been reported in different series. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the apoE polymorphism and lipoprotein compositions in xanthelasma patients by using rapid polymerase chain reaction, and searched for an association between apoE polymorphism and the lipoprotein levels in xanthelasma patients. DESIGN: ApoE polymorphism and the different types of serum lipoproteins were studied in 25 patients with xanthelasma and compared with 27 normal subjects. RESULTS: All of patients were found to be normolipidaemic. The patients had significantly higher concentrations of total cholesterol and apolipoprotein B, and lower concentrations of apolipoprotein A. There was no difference in serum triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentrations. The distribution of apoE genotypes and alleles was the same in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The apoB, apoA and cholesterol levels did show statistically significant differences in the direction of an increased risk of atherosclerosis. Patients with xanthelasma demonstrated slight differentiations in the apoE polymorphism and metabolism of lipoproteins that require further clarifications.

N-acetyltransferase 2 polymorphisms in patients with Behcet's disease.

It is possible that dietary, environmental factors and/or genetic polymorphisms in xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes may contribute to the development of Behcet's disease. As N-acetyltransferase (NAT) 2 is an important xenobiotic-metabolizing enzyme and theoretically the nonacetylated xenobiotics may induce an autoimmune mechanism, the aim of the present study was to investigate whether the genetic polymorphism of NAT2 plays a role in susceptibility to Behcet's disease. Forty Behcet's disease patients and 82 control subjects were enrolled in the study. NAT2*5A, NAT2*6A, NAT27*A/B and NAT2*14A polymorphisms were detected by using real time PCR with LightCycler (Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Mannheim, Germany). The NAT2*5A and NAT2*6A mutant genotypes carried an increased risk of developing Behcet's disease [odds ratio (OR) = 66.29, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 8.21-535.33; and OR = 24; 95% CI = 2.04-304.98, respectively]. The NAT2*7A/B and NAT2*14A gene polymorphisms were not an increased risk for developing Behcet's disease. As a result of this study we conclude the NAT2 slow acetylator status may be a determinant in susceptibility to Behcet's disease. This finding may have implications for the theories of the pathogenesis of the disease as well as for therapeutic aspects.

Oxidant/antioxidant status in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is recognized as one of the most common oral mucosal diseases worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the oxidant/antioxidant status in erythrocyte and plasma samples from patients with RAS in comparison with healthy controls. Twenty-two patients with RAS and 23 healthy controls were recruited. Superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) and catalase (CAT) activities, and malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant potential (AOP) levels were measured in plasma and erythrocytes from patient with RAS and controls. We found decreased CAT and GSHPx activities and AOP levels in the erythrocytes, and decreased AOP and increased MDA plasma levels in patients with RAS in comparison with control subjects. In summary, this study demonstrated that enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant defence systems are impaired in patients with RAS.

The role of nitric oxide and lipid peroxidation in patients with Plasmodium vivax malaria.

In this study, we investigated the role of nitric oxide metabolism and lipid peroxidation in patients with P. vivax malaria. The levels of nitrite and nitrate were analyzed using a procedure based on the Griess reaction and malondialdehyde levels which index of lipid peroxidation was determined by thiobarbituric acid reaction. The levels of nitrite/nitrate and malondialdehyde in patients were higher than controls and found to be statistically significant (p < 0.001). We performed this study to determine whether nitric oxide and lipid peroxidation is produced during blood-stage P. vivax malaria. This present study shows that lipid peroxidation occurs in P. vivax malaria. The levels of nitric oxide are associated with lipid peroxidation in this disease.

The relationship between leptin and lipids in atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to examine the extent to which leptin, alone or in combination with other risk factors, may be an independent marker for myocardial infarction in a region with a high incidence of cardiovascular disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: Leptin levels were measured by the ELISA method, while plasma lipids and lipoproteins were measured by conventional methods. Leptin levels were significantly higher in the patient than in the control group. Serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, lipoprotein (a) and apolipoprotein B showed a significant correlation with leptin, while high-density lipoprotein showed an inverse relation. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that leptin may be one factor operating in the metabolic alteration taking place during myocardial infarction, and is a possible risk factor.

Effects of apolipoprotein E genotypes and other risk factors on the development of coronary artery disease in Southern Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Apolipoprotein E (apoE) plays a major role in lipoprotein metabolism and lipid transport. Associations between apoE genotypes, coronary artery disease (CAD) and other risk factors have been described by many investigators. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of apoE gene polymorphism and other risk factors in the development of CAD in subjects whose coronary arteries were evaluated by means of coronary angiography. METHODS: The study population consisted of 199 subjects (114 male and 55 female). Of the total, 107 had CAD. The apoE gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and then digested by CfoI restriction enzyme. The plasma lipid levels and other risk factors were also determined in all subjects. RESULTS: The epsilon2 and epsilon4 allele frequencies and genotypes carrying epsilon4 allele were significantly higher in CAD (+) patients. Plasma lipids except triglycerides were increased in CAD (+) cases. We found that apoE genotypes, HT, DM, male gender, age and smoking were the independent predictors of CAD. There was no association between apoE alleles and lipids. CONCLUSION: We conclude that apoE polymorphism (presence of epsilon4 allele) is associated with the development of CAD in Southern Turkey. In our study, we did not observe any effect of apoE alleles on lipid levels.

Serum L-carnitine levels and lipoprotein compositions in chronic viral hepatitis patients.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum L-carnitine levels and its effect on lipoproteins in chronic viral hepatitis B or C patients. DESIGN AND METHODS: Blood samples were taken from 41 patients and 30 healthy subjects after 12 h fasting. RESULTS: Patients' serum L-carnitine levels (11.19 +/- 6.67 mg/L) (p < 0.0001) and hepatic enzyme activities (AST and ALT) (49.02 +/- 42.80 and 58.35 +/- 57.51 U/L) (p < 0.0005) were significantly higher than controls'. Serum total (3.85 +/- 0.82 mmol/L), LDL (2.08 +/- 0.76 mmol/L) and HDL (1.02 +/- 0.29 mmol/L) cholesterol levels were significantly lower in patients (p < 0.01). On the other hand triglyceride levels (1.65 +/- 0.85 mmol/L) were significantly higher in patients (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The higher L-carnitine levels of patients may result from the leakage of hepatic cellular carnitine. If there is a decreased hepatic cellular carnitine levels, this may affect the transport of acetyl moiety for cholesterol synthesis and alter lipoprotein composition. Further investigation is needed for hepatic tissue L-carnitine levels.