The Role of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Symptoms and Treatment

BACKGROUND

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a common condition worldwide. There is no curative treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease. Endoplasmic reticulum stress leads to the activation of the unfolded protein response and has an important role in inflammation. The aim is to determine the role of endoplasmic reticulum stress in the follow-up of individuals with gastroesophageal reflux disease and the temporal changes of endoplasmic reticulum stress markers with treatment.

METHODS

Twenty-four subjects in total were recruited prospectively, of whom 15 had nonerosive reflux disease. Two biopsies from 2 cm above the esophagogastric junction, 2 biopsies from gastric antrum mucosa, and 2 biopsies from gastric corpus mucosa were taken. Simultaneously, 2 tubes of venous blood samples were drawn from each individual (1 tube for studying the genetic markers and 1 tube for analyzing the CYP2C19 polymorphism).

RESULTS

The mean age was 42.3 ± 17.6 for women and 34.66 ± 11.2 for men. Pantoprazole, esomeprazole, rabeprazole, and lansoprazole preparations were used for treatment. There was no significant difference between tissue and blood samples for panel genes ATF-6, XBP-1, DDIT-3, DNAJC-10, and EIF-2-AK before treatment. There was a significant decrease in the level of ATF-6, XBP-1, DNAJC-9, EIF2-AK, and NF-2L-2 genes in blood after treatment. In the comparison of proton pump inhibitors, significant decreases in the expression of the ATF-6, XBP-1, and DNAJC-9 mRNAs were detected in blood from individuals after treatment.

CONCLUSION

Endoplasmic reticulum stress can be for evaluating the clinical improvement and the effectiveness of treatment in gastroesophageal reflux disease.

CHRM3-Associated miRNAs May Play a Role in Bile Acid-Induced Proliferation of H508 Colon Cancer Cells

BACKGROUND

It was well defined that proliferative effects of bile acids on colon epithelium are through interaction with muscarinic-3 receptors. Recently, microRNA emerged as an important regulator of gene expression and has been implicated in pathogenesis of many malignancies. However, the interaction of CHRM3 and microRNAs and their potential effects on colon carcinogenesis remains to be elucidated.

METHODS

In the current study, analysis of cell proliferation for 6 days after treatment with sodium taurolithocholate was analyzed by using WST-1 method. microRNAs which possibly target CHRM3 were identified by in silico analyses. Expression profiling of these microRNAs, expression changes of CHRM3 gene at mRNA level for H508 and SNU-C4 colon cancer cells were analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction; the protein level of CHRM3 was analyzed using Western blot; apoptotic experiments were analyzed using the Annexin V assay. The Gene Ontology and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses were performed using the miRPath v3.0.

RESULTS

It was found that the expression level of CHRM3 gene was 6.133 ± 0.698-fold in H508 cells compared with SNU-C4 cells (P =.004). Treatment of H508 cells with sodium taurolithocholate caused 1.34 ± 0.4156-fold change in the expression level of CHRM3 gene (P =.0448). No apoptotic changes were observed in both colon cancer cells after treatment with sodium taurolithocholate. Different expression changes were detected of hsa-miR-129-5p, hsa-miR-30c-5p, hsa-miR-224-5p, hsa-miR-30b-5p, hsa-miR-522-3p, and hsa-miR-1246. Finally, hsa-miR-1246 and hsa-miR-522-3p could play a critical role in tumor development via bile acid-related genes in colon cancer.

CONCLUSION

These findings reflected that CHRM3-dependent oncogenetic pathways might be in charge of colon cancer. We suggest that the microRNA expression profile of each individual colon cancer tissue is a unique digital signature.

Association of the sEH gene promoter polymorphisms and haplotypes with preeclampsia

Background

The epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) have antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, and organ protective properties and their circulation levels are related to hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, and preeclampsia. Soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) catalyses the degradation of EETs to less biologically active dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids. Here, we sequenced the promoter region of EPHX2 to investigate the association between promoter sequence alterations that we thought to affect the expression levels of the enzyme and preeclampsia (PE).

Methods

Nucleotide sequencing of the promoter region of the EPHX2, spanning from position -671 to +30, was performed on 100 pregnant women with PE and, 20 or more weeks pregnant normotensive, healthy women (n=100).

Results

Pregnant women who carry rs4149235, rs4149232, rs73227309, and rs62504268 polymorphisms have 4.4, 2.4, 2.3, and 2.8 times significantly increased risk of PE, respectively. CCGG (OR: 3.11; 95% CI: 1.12-8.62) and CCCA (OR: 0.45; 95% CI: 0.36-0.55) haplotypes were associated with an increased and decreased risk of PE, respectively.

Conclusions

Four SNPs (rs4149232, rs4149235, rs73227309, and rs62504268) in the promoter region of the EPHX2, and CCGG and CCCA haplotypes of these 4 SNPs were significantly associated with PE. These SNPs in the promoter region may affect sEH expression and thus enzyme activity and may play a role in PE pathogenesis by causing individual differences in EET levels. However, future studies are needed to confirm our findings and examine the effect of these SNPs on the sEH expression and/or enzyme activity.

Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Crude Momordica charantia L. Extract on 2,4,6-Trinitrobenzene Sulfonic Acid-Induced Colitis Model in Rat and the Bioaccessibility of its Carotenoid Content

Momordica charantia L., known as bitter melon (BM), is a plant that belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae. Aims of this study are to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of crude BM extract on 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced experimental colitis model in rat. It was also aimed to determine the content and bioaccessibility of carotenoids of BM. BM was purchased from local markets in Izmir, Turkey. Fruits of BM were lyophilized, powdered, and used in the experiment. Carotenoids were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. To determine the bioaccessibility of β-carotene, in vitro digestion was performed. Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups: group A (BM+TNBS), group B (BM), group C (TNBS), and group D (control). BM solution was given 300 mg/(kg·day) for 6 weeks orally. Colitis was induced by 0.25 mL of a solution containing 100 mg/kg 5% (w/v) TNBS in 50% ethanol (w/v) intrarectally after 6 weeks. After sacrification, macroscopic and microscopic evaluations were performed. Myeloperoxidase, cytokines levels (interleukin-17 [IL-17], TNF-alpha, and interleukin-10 [IL-10]) were measured in serum and colonic samples by ELISA test. Institutional Animal Ethics Committee approval was obtained. Total carotenoid content of BM was determined 11.7 mg/g dry weight as β-carotene equivalents. Bioaccessibility of total carotenoids was determined as 2.1% with in vitro digestion. Pretreatment with crude BM extract significantly reduced weight loss, macroscopic, and microscopic colitis damages in colonic samples (P = .000), (P = .015), and (P = .026), respectively. Serum anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 increased significantly in both treatment groups (P = .000). BM is a rich source of carotenoids, but the bioaccessibility of its carotenoids is low. This study displays that BM has protective anti-inflammatory effects on TNBS-induced colitis.

Cisplatin ototoxicity in children: risk factors and its relationship with polymorphisms of DNA repair genes ERCC1, ERCC2, and XRCC1

PURPOSE

We aimed to investigate the cisplatin-related hearing toxicity and its possible relationship with polymorphic variants in DNA repair genes, ERCC1, ERCC2, and XRCC1.

METHODS

Fifty patients treated with cisplatin in the past were included in the study. There were 29 females and 21 males; mean age 13.4 ± 6.0 years). The polymorphism in DNA repair genes was studied using primer and probes in Light Cycler device after DNA isolation was carried out with PCR technique. The polymorphisms and clinical risk factors were evaluated using Chi square test and logistic regression modelling.

RESULTS

The patients had hearing loss in 44%. For ERCC1 gene, the patients with hearing loss had 50% of GG (wild type), 40.9% of AG and 9.1% of AA genotypes, while the patients without hearing loss had 28.6% of GG, 53.5% of AG, and 17.9% of AA genotypes. For ERCC2 gene, the patients with hearing loss had 18.2% of GG (wild type), 40.9% of TG, and 40.9% of TT genotypes, while the patients without hearing loss had 10.7% of GG 39.3% of TG, and 50% of TT genotypes. For XRCC1 gene, the patients with hearing loss had 18.2% of CC (wild type), 59.1% of CT, and 22.7% of TT genotypes, while the patients without hearing loss had 35.7% of CC, 50% of CT, and 14.3% of TT genotypes. There was no statistically significant association among the groups (p = 0.24).

CONCLUSION

We did not find a relationship between DNA repair gene polymorphisms and hearing toxicity of cisplatin.

Determining expression of miRNAs that potentially regulate STAT5A and 5B in dasatinib-sensitive K562 cells

In the era of tyrosine kinase inhibitors, resistance still constitutes a problem in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients; thus, new pathway-specific inhibitors like miRNAs have become important in the treatment of refractory patients. There are no satisfying data regarding the miRNAs and anti-miRNA treatment targeting STAT5A and 5B. In this study, we first researched the effect of dasatinib on apoptosis in the CML cell line K562. The expressions of miRNAs possibly targeting both STAT5A and 5B were then determined. The down- and upregulation of the miRNAs were compared using the ΔΔCT method. At the last stage of the study, we used a new primer probe in order to validate the results. The level of hsa-miR-940 was decreased 4.4 times and the levels of hsa-miR-527 and hsa-miR-518a-5p were increased 12.1 and 8 times, respectively, in the dasatinib-treated group when compared to the control group. We detected similar results in the validation step. As a conclusion, we determined the expression profiles of miRNAs targeting STAT5A and 5B that had an important role in the pathogenesis of CML. The data obtained could lead to determining new therapeutic targets for CML patients.

TET2, ASXL1, IDH1, and IDH2 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in Turkish Patients with Chronic Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

We aimed to determine the genotype distribution, allele frequency, and prognostic impact of IDH1/2, TET2, and ASXL1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). TET2 (rs763480), ASXL1 (rs2208131), and IDH1 (rs11554137) variant homozygous genotype frequencies were found at rates of 1.5%, 9.2%, and 2.3%, respectively. No IDH2 SNP was identified. IDH1 and TET2 frequencies were 5% in essential thrombocythemia (ET) and 1.7% in ET and 5% in primary myelofibrosis (PMF), respectively. ASXL1 frequencies were 8.3%-10% in MPN subgroups. The TET2 mutant allele T and ASXL1 mutant allele G had the highest frequencies with 0.272 in the PMF and 0.322 in the polycythemia vera (PV) group, respectively. There was no impact of the SNPs on prognosis. IDH1 frequency in MPNs was found similar to the literature. ASXL1 frequencies were similar between ET, PV, and PMF patients. The ASXL1 and TET2 allele frequencies of the Turkish population are similar to those of the European population. The role of SNPs in MPNs might be further evaluated in larger multicenter studies.

Characteristics of headache during and after digital substraction angiography: A critical re-appraisal of the ICHD-3 criteria

Introduction Headache is a frequent but neglected side effect of angiography, and the criteria for angiography related headache have been based on only a few studies. Methods One-hundred and thirty nine patients who underwent cerebral angiography and 30 controls who underwent peripheral angiography participated in this prospective, non-randomized, case-control study. Participants were instructed to tell the angiography staff in case a headache developed and were questioned about their headache just after, 24 hours after, and one week after angiography. Results In the cerebral angiography group 42 patients (30.2%) had procedural headache compared to three of the controls (10%). Two different types of headache related to angiography were observed: one during angiography, which was related to contrast injection, and the other occuring within 24 hours. Both headaches were more frequent in patients with a history of primary headache, but were distinctly different from the premorbid headache. Headache characteristics are described in detail. Discussion Both types of headache related to angiography did not match the ICHD-3beta criteria for angiography headache, but were similar to headaches reported in studies that were not included in the current criteria. The timing and characteristics of these headaches are discussed in the light of our and previous reports. We suggest that the present ICHD-3 beta criteria are inadequate in properly defining angiography headache and should be revised in the light of the present literature.

Suppression of STAT5A and STAT5B chronic myeloid leukemia cells via siRNA and antisense-oligonucleotide applications with the induction of apoptosis

Signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) proteins function in the JAK/STAT signaling pathway and are activated by phosphorylation. As a result of this signaling event, they affect many cellular processes including cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, and survival. Increases in the expressions of STAT5A and STAT5B play a remarkable role in the development of leukemia in which leukemic cells gain uncontrolled proliferation and angiogenesis ability. At the same time, these cells acquire ability to escape from apoptosis and host immune system. In this study, we aimed to suppress STAT-5A and -5B genes in K562 CML cells by siRNA transfection and antisense oligonucleotides (ODN) targeting and then to evaluate apoptosis rate. Finally, we compared the transfection efficiencies of these approaches. Quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot results indicated that STAT expressions were downregulated at both mRNA and protein levels following siRNA transfection. However, electroporation mediated ODN transfection could only provide limited suppression rates at mRNA and protein levels. Moreover, it was displayed that apoptosis were significantly induced in siRNA treated leukemic cells as compared to ODN treated cells. As a conclusion, siRNA applications were found to be more effective in terms of gene silencing when compared to ODN treatment based on the higher apoptosis and mRNA suppression rates. siRNA application could be a new and alternative curative method as a supporting therapy in CML patients.