The combination of methylenehydrofolate reductase C677T polymorphism screening and gastrointestinal tumor markers detection may be an early screening method for gastrointestinal cancer related to helicobacter pylori infection

The causal relationship between trace element status and upper gastrointestinal ulcers: a Mendelian randomization study

Background

This study aimed to investigate the bidirectional causal relationships between trace elements (such as zinc, magnesium, phosphate, and folate) and upper gastrointestinal ulcers (including gastric and duodenal ulcers). We utilized a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to achieve this.

Methods

We conducted a two-sample MR analysis using summary-level data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) obtained from public genomics repositories. We utilized a range of MR methods, including inverse-variance weighted (IVW), MR-Egger, and weighted median methods, and conducted a meta-analysis to synthesize results across different datasets. To ensure the robustness of our findings, we performed extensive sensitivity analyses, including pleiotropy assessment, heterogeneity tests, and leave-one-out analysis.

Results

Our findings are significant, indicating a positive causal relationship between increased zinc levels and the risk of gastric ulcers. Moreover, magnesium and folate appear to offer potential protective effects against gastroduodenal ulcers (p < 0.05). The meta-analysis further supports the causal relationship between zinc and gastric ulcers (p < 0.05), confirming zinc's significant causal impact on this condition.

Conclusion

The study confirms a positive causal relationship between zinc and gastric ulcers and highlights the complexity of how trace elements regulate the progression of upper gastrointestinal ulcers. These results provide a scientific basis for dietary recommendations regarding trace element intake in clinical and public health practices. They also offer new insights into effective prevention and treatment strategies for gastric and duodenal ulcers.

Retrospective cohort study of the MTHFR C677T/A1298C polymorphisms and human homocysteine levels in Helicobacter pylori infection

This study avalited relationship between human Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene (C677T(rs1801133)/A1298C(rs1801131)) variants and homocysteine levels in 168 patients who are infected with Helicobacter pylori, diagnosed to PCR analysis. PCR-RFLP methods were performed to characterize the MTHFR gene C677T/A1298C variants in DNA samples obtained from gastric biopsies this patients. An immunoenzymatically assay was used for quantitative of total homocysteine and folate levels in the plasma of the same individuals. The adopted level statistical significance was to α = 0.05. The frequency of the C677T SNP was higher in infected individuals, wherein those with the CT/TT genotype presented a three-fold higher risk of acquiring Helicobacter pylori infection. The averages of the total homocysteine concentrations were associated with the TT genotype, advanced age and the male sex, but no dependence relationship was found with Helicobacter pylori infection.

The clinical significance of some serum tumor markers among chronic patients with Helicobacter pylori infections in Ibb Governorate, Yemen

BACKGROUND

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a carcinogenic bacterium, it is the greatest risk factor for gastric cancer (GC), according to these evidences, there may be a certain association between chronic H. pylori infections and serum levels of tumor markers. This study was conducted to determine serum levels of some tumor markers, namely carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cancer antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) and cancer antigen 72-4 (CA72-4) in patients with chronic H. pylori infections and evaluate the association between serum tumor marker levels and chronic patients with H. pylori infections in Ibb Governorate, Yemen.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

This study involved 200 patients who had been diagnosed with H. pylori infections using a serum immunochromatography antibody test. Stool and blood samples were collected from all patients to confirm the presence of H. pylori through detection of serum H. pylori IgG antibody and stool antigen test (SAT). Additionally, serum samples were analyzed to measurement the level of certain tumor markers CEA, CA19-9 and CA72-4. These tests were conducted at various Hospitals, Gastroenterology and Hepatology clinics in Ibb governorate, Yemen from October 2019 to November 2020.

RESULTS

The findings of current study showed that the prevalence of H. pylori infections by rapid anti H. pylori test were 200 (100%), 157 (78.5%) by serum H. pylori IgG antibody and 108 (54%) by SAT. In addition, the results showed that 42 (21%) of the patients had abnormal level of CEA, 30 (15%) had abnormal level of CA19-9 and 31 (15.5%) had abnormal level of CA72-4. Most importantly, the results indicated that the serum tumor marker levels CEA, CA19-9 and CA72-4 were correlated with the levels of serum H. pylori IgG antibody as well as positive results from the SAT (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the results indicated that serum tumor marker levels were associated with different infection status. Finally, the results indicated that the serum levels of tumor markers were associated with older ages, symptomatic patients and long duration of H. pylori infections (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study indicated that there is a significant association between chronic H. pylori infections and the serum levels of tumor markers (CEA, CA19-9 and CA72-4). This suggests that the patients with active chronic H. pylori infection may have an increased risk of developing GC. Therefore, monitoring and early detection of H. pylori infection and tumor markers levels in these patients may be crucial for identifying individuals at higher risk and implementing appropriate interventions.

Nanotechnology-based approaches for effective detection of tumor markers: A comprehensive state-of-the-art review

As well-appreciated biomarkers, tumor markers have been spotlighted as reliable tools for predicting the behavior of different tumors and helping clinicians ascertain the type of molecular mechanism of tumorigenesis. The sensitivity and specificity of these markers have made them an object of even broader interest for sensitive detection and staging of various cancers. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), fluorescence-based, mass-based, and electrochemical-based detections are current techniques for sensing tumor markers. Although some of these techniques provide good selectivity, certain obstacles, including a low sample concentration or difficulty carrying out the measurement, limit their application. With the advent of nanotechnology, many studies have been carried out to synthesize and employ nanomaterials (NMs) in sensing techniques to determine these tumor markers at low concentrations. The fabrication, sensitivity, design, and multiplexing of sensing techniques have been uplifted due to the attractive features of NMs. Various NMs, such as magnetic and metal nanoparticles, up-conversion NPs, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), carbon-based NMs, quantum dots (QDs), and graphene-based nanosensors, hyperbranched polymers, optical nanosensors, piezoelectric biosensors, paper-based biosensors, microfluidic-based lab-on-chip sensors, and hybrid NMs have proven effective in detecting tumor markers with great sensitivity and selectivity. This review summarizes various categories of NMs for detecting these valuable markers, such as prostate-specific antigen (PSA), human carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2), cancer antigen 125 (CA125), cancer antigen 15-3 (CA15-3, MUC1), and cancer antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), and highlights recent nanotechnology-based advancements in detection of these prognostic biomarkers.

MTHFR C677T and A1298C Polymorphisms in Breast Cancer, Gliomas and Gastric Cancer: A Review

Folate (vitamin B9) is found in some water-soluble foods or as a synthetic form of folic acid and is involved in many essential biochemical processes. Dietary folate is converted into tetrahydrofolate, a vital methyl donor for most methylation reactions, including DNA methylation. 5,10-methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a critical enzyme in the folate metabolism pathway that converts 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate into 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, which produces a methyl donor for the remethylation of homocysteine to methionine. MTHFR polymorphisms result in reduced enzyme activity and altered levels of DNA methylation and synthesis. MTHFR polymorphisms have been linked to increased risks of several pathologies, including cancer. Breast cancer, gliomas and gastric cancer are highly heterogeneous and aggressive diseases associated with high mortality rates. The impact of MTHFR polymorphisms on these tumors remains controversial in the literature. This review discusses the relationship between the MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms and the increased risk of breast cancer, gliomas, and gastric cancer. Additionally, we highlight the relevance of ethnic and dietary aspects of population-based studies and histological stratification of highly heterogeneous tumors. Finally, this review discusses these aspects as potential factors responsible for the controversial literature concerning MTHFR polymorphisms.