The role of miRNAs targeting K-ras and APC genes in colorectal cancer.

OBJECTIVES: The occurrence of abnormal expression patterns in different types of cancer suggests that micro RNAs (miRNAs) may play an important role in tumorigenesis. The aim of this study was to examine the expression levels of miRNAs known to be associated with the regulation of the expression levels of the APC and K-ras, which are important in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS: The expression levels of miR-27, miR-663, miR-217, miR-181d, APC and K-ras in the serum, tumor and adjacent tumor-free (healthy) tissues of the patients and serum of the healthy controls were investigated with qRT-PCR. RESULTS: Expression levels of miR-217, mR-181d, miR-663, miR-27 and K-ras were found to be higher in CRC tissues than in adjacent tumor-free tissues of the patients. In patient serum samples, miR-663 levels were statistically more elevated than in controls. In patient tumor tissues, miR-217, miR-181d and miR-27 expressions were found to be higher. CONCLUSIONS: Increased miR-181d and miR-217 expression levels are associated with increased K-ras expression in the tumor tissues, and the expression of K-ras, which takes part as an oncogene in the CRC development, might be regulated by these miRNAs (Tab. 4, Ref. 33).

L-myc gene polymorphism and risk of thyroid cancer.

UNLABELLED: 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.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T gene polymorphism in osteosarcoma and chondrosarcoma patients.

This study was designed to investigate the association of MTHFR C677T polymorphism and the risk of two common musculoskeletal sarcomas, osteosarcoma and chondrosarcoma. MTHFR genotypes were determined in 56 patients (44 osteosarcoma, 12 chondrosarcoma) and 44 controls using the PCR-RFLP technique. In the gender subgroup analysis, wild-type A allele frequency was higher in male osteosarcoma patients than in male control subjects (P = 0.064). Mutant V allele and mutant VV genotype were similar in the control group compared to the sarcoma groups (P > 0.05). No correlation could be proved between patient tumour site, presence of metastasis, and local tumour relapse and MTHFR polymorphism. The MTHFR C677T polymorphism may not be important in an individual's susceptibility to osteosarcoma and chondrosarcoma in Turkey and may not be a useful marker for identifying patients at high risk of developing sarcomas.

Effects of cholesteryl ester transfer protein TAQ1B polymorphism in renal transplant patients.

BACKGROUND: Dyslipidemia is an important complication in renal transplant patients. Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) mediates the exchange of cholesteryl ester between high density lipoproteins and low density lipoproteins. The aim of this study was to investigate CETP Taq1B gene polymorphism and lipid abnormalities in renal transplant patients. METHODS: We studied 29 renal transplant patients and 29 healthy controls. CETP Taq1B polymorphism was determined by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism techniques. Serum lipid levels were measured enzymatically. Statistical analyses was performed by SPSS for Windows version 7.5. RESULTS: The frequencies of CETP Taq1B B1B1, B1B2, and B2B2 genotypes in patients were 44.8%, 34.5%, and 20.7%; and in control subjects, 37.9%, 37.9%, and 24.2%, respectively. The patients with B1B1 genotype displayed higher levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (VLDL-C), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). (P<.05). Also, patients showing a B1 allele had higher levels of TC, LDL-C, VLDL-C, and DBP compared to healthy controls (P<.05). CONCLUSION: We observed that CETP Taq1B B1 allele and B1B1 genotype have effects on the serum lipid profile among renal transplant patients.

Antibacterial activity of Salvia tomentosa essential oil.

The essential oil of Salvia tomentosa aerial parts, consisting of 1,8-cineol (17%), beta-caryophyllene (11%), cyclofenchene (10%) and delta-cadinene (6%), was screened for its antimicrobial activity. The essential oil remarkably inhibited the growth of tested Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria except for Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The effects of Brassica oleraceae var capitata on epidermal glutathione and lipid peroxides in DMBA-initiated-TPA-promoted mice.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the present study was to determine if modulation of GSH-dependent antioxidant protective system by Brassica oleraceae var capitata might inhibit the molecular mechanism of skin tumor promotion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a two stages skin carcinogenesis model, the protocol used included a single topical application of 200 nmol of the initiator 7,12-dimethyl-benz(a) anthracene (DMBA) to the backs of mice, followed 1 week later by promotion with 10 nmol of 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13 acetate (TPA) twice weekly for 30 weeks. In addition to this regimen, 0.1 g/L brassica extract was added water week prior to the initiating dose of DMBA in the treatment group. Tissue glutathione (GSH) contents and levels of lipid peroxidation products (measured as thiobarbituric-acid (TBA)-reactive substances) were quantitated in the skin tumors generated by the initiation-promotion protocol. RESULTS: It was observed that the tumor incidence and tumor multiplicity in the treatment group was highly significantly low compared to the first group of mice (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). In the treatment group, GSH content in the papillomas was higher than in the non-involved skin surrounding the papillomas. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that the anticarcinogenicity of Brassica may be linked to its ability to facilitate or enhance the activity of the natural GSH-dependent antioxidant protective system of the epidermal cells during the later stages of skin tumor promotion.

Hypericum triquetrifolium Turra. extract exhibits antinociceptive activity in the mouse.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the antinociceptive activity of Hypericum triquetrifolium Turra. extract. The lyophilized extract was administered to male Swiss mice. Formalin paw test and tail flick tests were used for the evaluation of the antinociceptive activity. Plant extract (10, 25, 50 and 60 mg kg(-1), i.p.) (n = 16-24 for each group) or vehicle (n = 27) was administered 30 min before the subplantar formalin injection. In the tail flick test, mice were examined for latency to withdraw their tails from a noxious thermal stimulus using a tail flick meter (n = 8 for each group). The effects of the extract on sensorimotor performance was also assessed (n = 16-24 for each group). The extract caused a significant dose-related inhibition of the first phase (50, 60 mg kg(-1), i.p.) and second phase (10, 25, 50 and 60 mg kg(-1), i.p.) of formalin induced hindpaw licking. Additionally, the extract administration (50, 60 mg kg(-1), i.p.) increased the tail flick latencies. No significant change was observed in any of the treatment groups in the sensorimotor performance test. The observed antinociceptive activity of the extract may be due to its noradrenaline and serotonin reuptake blocking activity. Moreover, the probable antiinflammatory activity of the extract may play a role in the dose-related inhibition of the second phase of formalin paw test.