Effect of EGF on Bax, Bcl-2 and Fas expression in ulcerous disease and N87 cell line.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the effect of epithelial growth factor (EGF) in primary culture of ulcer patients and N87 cell line on expressions of apoptotic genes. METHODS: Ulcer patients who attended Gastroenterology Clinic of Mersin University Medical Faculty were included in this study. Three different doses of EGF were applied to the primary culture of biopsy samples from ulcer patients and gastric cancer cell-line (ATCC-NCI-N87) . The expression levels of Bax, Bcl-2 and Fas genes were measured with quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). RESULTS: ΔΔCT analysis with qRT-PCR revealed no significant change in gene expression of Bax, Bcl-2 or Fas within the ulcer, normal tissue and gastric cancer. No significant change was determined between Bax and Bcl-2 gene expression levels and applied EGF doses when groups were compared for each EGF dose. On the other hand, when 50 ng/µl of EGF was administered, Fas mRNA expression level was significantly lower in the gastric cancer cell line compared to patients with ulcer and normal gastroduodenal tissue (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: In this study which was done with a restricted patient group, our results revealed that apoptosis induced by Fas expression in gastroduodenal suppressing carcinogenesis process plays an active role in gaining anti-apoptotic properties of cells (Tab. 4, Fig. 2, Ref. 27).

Relationship between the DAT1 gene and the effects of methylphenidate administration in adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a magnetic resonance spectroscopy study.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the relationship between DAT1 gene polymorphisms and the effects of methylphenidate (MPH) administration on N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), creatine (Cr), and choline (Cho) levels in the anterior cingulate cortex, prefrontal cortex, striatum, and cerebellum in adult patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This was the first study to investigate the relationship between DAT gene variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphisms and the responses of brain metabolites to MPH. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Samples in this study were collected from 60 patients aged between 18 and 60 years with ADHD according to DSM-IV criteria. Genetic analysis of DAT1 gene polymorphisms was carried out using blood samples obtained after a detailed clinical evaluation. Levels of NAA, Cr, and Cho were measured in the anterior cingulate cortex, prefrontal cortex, striatum, and cerebellum by magnetic resonance spectroscopy. After this evaluation, 10 mg of MPH was given orally to patients, and the levels of the same metabolites were measured 30 min later. RESULTS: No marked difference in NAA, Cr, or Cho levels was detected before and after MPH administration with respect to the DAT1 gene VNTR polymorphisms. A considerable increase in Cr levels in the cerebellum was identified after MPH administration in individuals with the 10/10 repeat genotype as the DAT1 VNTR polymorphism (p=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: An increase in the previously decreased blood flow after MPH therapy may induce an increase in creatine levels in patients with the 10/10 repeat genotype. Our results thus suggest that the 10R allele as the DAT1 gene VNTR polymorphism might be associated with MPH-related changes in brain metabolites in adults with ADHD.

Association between dopamine beta hydroxylase gene polymorphism and age at onset in male schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVES: The heterogeneity of schizophrenia mainly results from variations in clinical expressions of the disease, such as age at onset, gender differences in onset of illness, symptoms and response to antipsychotic treatment. Enhanced sensitisation of dopamine pathways in males, having consistently an earlier onset, might be implicated as disease modifiers for schizophrenia in males. METHODS: In this study, we performed a case (n = 87)-control (n = 100) association study between the DBH5'-ins/del and DBH-444g/a polymorphisms of the DBH gene and also compared the level of psychotic symptoms between patients with different DBH genotypes/haplotypes with respect to antipsychotic therapeutic response and gender difference. RESULTS: No significant differences between allele and genotype and haplotype frequencies at either groups (p < 0.05). When the age is considered in patient group, a significant difference was observed between patients with ID genotype and with II genotype (p = 0.018). Patients with ID genotype have been diagnosed as schizophrenics in early ages when compared to II genotype carriers. We also found a significant difference between II and ID genotype (p = 0.007) when the gender had taken into account, showing that the ID genotype carriers had an early onset to schizophrenia. CONCLUSIONS: This association was more significant in male schizophrenia patients than females. Thus, this finding may constitute a novel biological support for the prior finding that onset of schizophrenia varies with gender. The results also showed that critical genetic vulnerability may be associated with the presence or absence of the ID genotype of DBH5'-ins/del.

Is the dopamine D3 receptor mRNA on blood lymphocytes help to for identification and subtyping of schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is one of the neuropathological disorders, which are associated with dopamine and its receptors. In recent years, it has been shown that mRNA of D3, D4 and D5 dopamine receptor (DRD3, DRD4, DRD5) subtypes is expressed in human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). A total 55 schizophrenic patients and 51 healthy subjects were included in the study to investigate the levels of DRD3 mRNA in PBL of schizophrenic patients and whether DRD3 mRNA level in PBL can serve as peripheral marker for schizophrenia. RNA was isolated from lymphocytes of both groups and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed for DRD3 mRNA. We found a significant difference in PBL DRD3 mRNA levels among schizophrenia subtypes (P=0.030) while no difference was detected between control subjects and schizophrenics. We concluded that the levels of DRD3 mRNA can help understanding and severity of clinical manifestations in schizophrenia.

Tumour necrosis factor alpha -308G/A gene polymorphism: lack of association with knee osteoarthritis in a Turkish population.

OBJECTIVE: To study the association between TNFalpha-308 G/A polymorphism and susceptibility to and severity of knee osteoarthritis in a Turkish population. METHODS: Genomic DNA was obtained from 151 patients with knee osteoarthritis and 84 ethnically matched healthy controls. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length analysis was used to identify G/A polymorphism at position -308 in the promoter region. Genotype distributions and allelic frequencies of TNFalpha-308 G/A polymorphism were compared between osteoarthritis patients and controls. Thereafter, this association was investigated between patients and controls of the same sex. In addition, the standard Kellgren-Lawrence grading score and the Turkish version of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index were used to assess the radiological and functional severity of the disease and their relationship with the TNFalpha-308 gene polymorphism was investigated. RESULTS: Genotype distribution and allelic frequencies of -308 G/A polymorphism in the TNFalpha gene did not differ significantly between patients with knee osteoarthritis and controls (p>0.05). Moreover, there were no significant differences between patients and controls of the same sex (p>0.05). In addition, no association was observed between the radiological and functional severity of the disease and TNFalpha-308 G/A polymorphism (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the examined polymorphism in the TNFalpha gene does not contribute to susceptibility to or severity of knee osteoarthritis in the Turkish population.

T102C polymorphism of the 5-HT2A receptor gene may be associated with temporomandibular dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether a relationship existed between the T102C polymorphism of 5-HT2A receptor gene and temporomandibular dysfunction. METHODS: Sixty-three patients with temporomandibular dysfunction, and 54 healthy volunteer controls were included in the study. Molecular analysis of the T102C polymorphism of the 5-HT2A receptor gene was performed using PCR technique. RESULTS: The C/C genotype was over represented in the patients whereas T/T genotype was over represented in the controls (P < 0.05). The genotype distribution of the patients who had temporomandibular dysfunction was not different than those who did not have temporomandibular dysfunction (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The T102C polymorphism may be involved in the etiology of temporomandibular dysfunction. The overrepresentation of the C/C variant of 5-HT2A receptor gene in temporomandibular dysfunction suggests a possible role of the serotonergic system in this disease, particularly at the receptor level.

Association of the T102C polymorphism of 5-HT2A receptor gene with aura in migraine.

OBJECTIVE: To find out the significance of the 5-HT2A receptor gene polymorphism in migraine. STUDY DESIGN: A PCR study in which 61 migraineurs and 44 healthy controls were included. METHODS: The T102C polymorphism of the 5-HT2A receptor gene was studied. The results of the migraineurs and controls were compared. The relationship between the gene polymorphism and aura was also assessed. RESULTS: The representations of the 5-HT2A genotypes were similar in migraineurs and controls (p>0.05) as well as in the male and female migraineurs (p>0.05). The family history of migraine did not associate with 5-HT2A receptor gene polymorphism (p>0.05). There was a significant relationship between the presence of C/C genotype and migraine with aura (p=0.02) while C/T and T/T genotypes were over represented in the patients with migraine without aura (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: The T102C polymorphism of the 5-HT2A receptor gene is not directly related to the increased risk of migraine. The associations between the genotypes of this gene and aura may suggest that 5-HT2A receptor gene polymorphism may be involved in determining the subtypes of or accompanying symptoms in the migraine disease.

Catechol-O-methyltransferase gene polymorphism in schizophrenia: evidence for association between symptomatology and prognosis.

Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene has long been implicated to play a role in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. The aim of this study is to assess the relationship of schizophrenia and its subgroups with COMT gene polymorphism. We have attempted to evaluate a possible correlation between the severity and prognosis of the illness (the psychopathology of symptoms) and COMT gene polymorphisms. The study comprised 129 unrelated subjects who strictly met DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia, and 65 healthy unrelated controls. All subjects were of Turkish origin. A clinical evaluation of all patients was accomplished by applying the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) test. The analysis of COMT polymorphism was performed using the polymerase chain reaction technique. Regarding COMT gene polymorphisms, no statistically significant difference was found between schizophrenic patients and control subjects. However, within the schizophrenic group, the average of BPRS points of patients with the L/L genotype was significantly higher than those of the L/H and H/H genotypes (F = 6.25, degrees of freedom = 2, P = 0.003). Although no statistically significant difference was found between the duration of illness and COMT variations, a higher frequency of hospitalization was found in patients with the L/L genotype compared with other groups (t = 3.048, P = 0.003). In conclusion, the findings indicate that COMT gene polymorphisms were not statistically significant between patient and control groups. However, the patients with the L/L genotype may have much more severe clinical signs in Turkish schizophrenics. COMT variations, however, do not help to evaluate the susceptibility of the patients, but can help in the estimation of severity of clinical manifestations. Further studies are required to better understand the association of symptomatology of schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders with COMT gene polymorphism.

Significance of serotonin transporter gene polymorphism in migraine.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate significance of the serotonin transporter gene (STG) polymorphism in migraine, and to address the polymorphic patterns of STG, both in the migraineurs and healthy people in this country. STUDY DESIGN: A PCR study of STG in 52 migraineurs and 80 healthy controls. METHODS: Using the PCR technique, STG polymorphism was studied in the DNA obtained from leukocytes of the patients and healthy controls. Polymorphism of the two regions (VNTR and 5-HTTLPR) of STG was assessed. RESULTS: VNTR STin 2.10 and STin 2.12 alleles were detected in migraineurs and healthy controls. Both homozygous and heterozygous STin 2.10 allele predominated in the migraine group (p=0.01), while STin 2.12 allele was more frequent in the healthy controls (p=0.02). There was no relationship between the migraine type, family history of migraine and STG polymorphism. CONCLUSION: STin 2.10 and STin 2.12 alleles of VNTR are frequent in this country. While the presence of STin 2.10 allele increases the risk of migraine, 5-HTTLPR polymorphism is not associated with this risk.