Cyclooxygenase-2 169C>G and 8473T>C gene polymorphisms and prostaglandin E2 level in breast cancer: a case-control study

AIMS

Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) with the resulting prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is linked to increased risk of human breast cancer (BC). The aim of this study was to determine COX-2 169C>G and 8473T>C gene polymorphisms and PGE2 level at various stages of BC clarifying the role of COX-2 gene polymorphism and PGE2 in relation to BC.

METHODS

The study population comprised 160 women at different stages of BC and 150 gender- and age-matched healthy control subjects. Plasma PGE2 was measured by ELISA, the COX-2 gene polymorphisms were determined using PCR-RFLP.

RESULTS

The variant alleles COX-2 169G and 8473C were significantly associated with BC susceptibility [OR=3.1, 95% CI (2.2-4.4), P<0.001 for 169C>G and OR=1.74, 95%CI (1.3-2.4), P=0.005 for 8473C]. However, both COX-2 gene polymorphisms were not associated with breast cancer stage. Plasma PGE2 levels were significantly increased in patients compared to the controls. In early and late stages of BC, there was a significant increase in the plasma PGE2 levels towards the presence of homozygous GG compared with homozygous CC (P<0.001) for 169 C>G, also towards the presence of CC than TT (P<0.001) for 8473T>C SNP.

CONCLUSION

The 169C>G and 8473T>C polymorphisms of the COX-2 gene were associated with the BC in Egyptian women. Furthermore, individuals with COX-2 169GG and 8473CC genotypes showed significant increase in plasma PGE2 levels. PGE2 levels may serve as a predictor of poor prognosis in patients with BC.

1'-Methyl-4'-(4-methyl-phen-yl)dispiro-[indane-2,3'-pyrrolidine-2',3''-indoline]-1,2''-dione

In the title mol­ecule, C₂₇H₂₄N₂O₂, the pyrrolidin-2-one ring is almost planar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.003 Å), the pyrrolidine ring has an envelope conformation (the N atom is the flap atom) and the cyclo­penta­none ring is twisted about the C_q—C_m bond (q = quaternary and m = methylene). The ketone O atoms are directed to opposite sides of the mol­ecule. Supra­molecular chains along the a axis are formed in the crystal packing mediated by N—H⋯N and C—H⋯O inter­actions. These are connected into layers in the ab plane via C—H⋯π inter­actions.

Interleukin 13 receptors as biochemical markers in atopic patients

BACKGROUND

Interleukin (IL) 13, a type 2 helper T cell (T(H)2), is an important regulator of inflammatory immune responses. It mediates its action through a receptor complex consisting of IL-13Ralpha1 and IL-4Ralpha. IL-13Ralpha2 binds IL-13 with high affinity and is thought to act primarily as a decoy receptor, sequestering IL-13 and thus inhibiting its action. Our aim was to clarify the role of these receptors in the diagnosis and follow-up of atopic patients.

METHODS

We genotyped the 1398A>G polymorphism in the IL-13Ralpha1 gene using restriction fragment length polymorphism for causal genetic diversity and measured serum levels of IL-13Ralpha2 in 105 atopic patients suffering from atopic asthma, atopic dermatitis, and atopic rhinitis (35 each). We compared the results with those of 35 nonatopic control individuals. Total immunoglobulin (Ig) E and serum IL-13Ralpha2 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the eosinophil counts were recorded.

RESULTS

A significant increase in serum IL-13Ralpha2 levels was recorded in the 3 atopic groups compared with the control group (P < .001), as well as a significant increase in total IgE levels and eosinophil counts. No significant association was found between 1398A>G and atopy other than a suggestive association between this polymorphism and raised total serum IgE levels in all 3 atopic groups (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that IL-13Ralpha2 plays an important role in atopy and that increased levels in different groups highlight its regulatory role in the development of atopic symptoms. The 1398A>G polymorphism might be involved in the production of IgE.

Interleukin 10 receptor alpha subunit (IL-10RA) gene polymorphism and IL-10 serum levels in Egyptian atopic patients

OBJECTIVES

To assess the value of serum interleukin (IL) 10 levels as an immunological marker in atopy and to determine the role of an IL-10RA gene single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (serine 138-to-glycine exchange [S138G]) in the pathogenesis of atopic diseases.

METHODS

Seventy-five patients with atopic disorders were compared with 25 age-matched healthy volunteers. Serum total immunoglobulin (Ig) E and IL-10 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the IL-10RA gene S138G variant was screened by multiplex allele-specific polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

There was a significant association between G allele frequencies of the S138G variant (62%, 60% and 68% for atopic asthma, atopic dermatitis, and allergic rhinitis, respectively) in atopic patients compared to in controls. There were significant differences in mean IgE levels but not mean serum IL-10 levels between the allelic variants in atopy groups.

CONCLUSION

The IL-10RA gene SNP S138G may contribute to susceptibility to atopic diseases but serum IL-10 level is not a sensitive indicator in atopy.

Interferon gamma gene polymorphism as a biochemical marker in Egyptian atopic patients

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to clarify the role of interferon (IFN) gamma in the diagnosis and follow-up of atopic patients. We genotyped the IFN-gamma polymorphism at position +874 to examine the relationship between serum levels of IFN-gamma and disease severity and the role of IFN-gamma as a biochemical and immunologic marker.

METHODS

The study population comprised 75 patients suffering from atopic asthma, atopic dermatitis, and allergic rhinitis (25 each), and 25 control participants. Total immunoglobulin (Ig) E and serum IFN-gamma were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, the IFN-gamma polymorphism at position +874 was determined by amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction, and eosinophil counts were recorded.

RESULTS

There was a significant association between genotype and the frequency of the A allele of the +874T/A polymorphism in atopic patients when compared with controls (P < .001). In all 3 groups, there was a significant increase in total IgE levels and eosinophil counts, and a decrease in serum IFN-gamma levels towards the presence of homozygous AA compared with homozygous TT.

CONCLUSIONS

The IFN-gamma gene polymorphism at position +874 contributes to susceptibility to atopic diseases by decreasing the amount of IFN-gamma. Identification of variants of IFN-gamma gene signalling and its role in the development of atopic diseases provides a focus for the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for these diseases.

Performance of two commonly used angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition assays using FA-PGG and HHL as substrates

In development of fermented dairy products and protein hydrolysates with high inhibitory activity towards angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), it is crucial to have a reliable assay for measuring the ACE activity. In the present study, the performance of two commonly used assays based on synthetic N-derivates of tripeptides as substrates were tested with respect to reliability in determination of ACE activity per se and to the inhibitory effect of a tryptic whey protein digest and captopril. In one test, the ACE activity was calculated from the amount of hippuric acid liberated from hippuryl-His-Leu (HHL) during 30 min of incubation with ACE, as quantified after HPLC separation of reaction products. In the other assay, the ACE activity was measured directly as the rate of decrease in the absorbance at 340 nm during the first 30 min of ACE catalysed hydrolysis of furanacroloyl-Phe-Glu-Glu (FA-PGG). Both assays, in the absence of inhibitor, showed a good performance with relative standard deviation between replicate samples around 7%. In the presence of inhibitor solutions, relative standard deviations for both assays varied between 1 and 18% for the variously diluted inhibitors. Both assays gave values for the concentration of inhibitor needed to inhibit ACE by 50% similar to those previously reported for whey protein digests and captopril. Different results from the two assays, however, emphasize the importance of controlling the actual ACE-activity for comparison between assays. The limitations of each assay are discussed. Considering the fewer steps in the assay using FA-PGG as substrate, and thus less time and chemicals consumed per sample, and the simpler equipment needed, this assay is recommended for the screening of clear peptide samples.

Effect of garlic on lead contents in chicken tissues

Lead has been indicted to be involved in the aetiology of human and animal diseases. In view of earlier literature indicating that garlic antagonized lead toxicity, we have investigated the possible use of garlic feeding to clean up lead contents from chickens which had been exposed to natural or experimental lead pollution and consequently eliminate one of the sources of lead pollution to human consumers. Groups of chickens (10 birds each) were given lead alone (lead acetate equivalent to 5 mg lead/kg B.W.) or both lead and garlic simultaneously or lead followed by garlic post-treatment or garlic alone or distilled water. Lead concentrations were reduced in muscle and liver tissues of chickens given both lead and garlic simultaneously or as a post-treatment. Reduction in tissue-lead concentrations were greater in birds given garlic as a post-treatment than those given garlic simultaneously with lead. The results indicate that garlic contain chelating compounds capable of enhancing elimination of lead. Garlic feeding can be exploited to safeguard human consumers by minimizing lead concentrations in meat of food animals which had been grown in a lead polluted environment.

An epidemiological and biochemical study on osteomalacia among pregnant women in Egypt

230 pregnant women of low socio-economic standard were studied regarding the nutritional status and state of calcium and bone mineralization, social, environmental, dietary and biological factors of the women were also investigated to determine their possible role in such state. Results revealed a low nutritional status associated with biochemical abnormality denoting an impaired calcium state and defective bone mineralization. The low intake of available calcium and lack or inefficient supplements are suggested to be the main factors in causing the low state of calcium.