Is there a genetic predisposition for Turkish patients with sarcoidosis in the 329-bp region containing the BTNL2 rs2076530 polymorphism?

BACKGROUND/AIM

Sarcoidosis is a complex, multifactorial immune disorder with unknown etiology. A single nucleotide polymorphism (G→A, rs2076530) in the butyrophilin-like 2 (BTNL2) gene results in a truncating protein formation. It has been previously reported that this variation may be a risk factor for sarcoidosis in certain ethnic groups. This study was conducted to determine whether there is any genetic predisposition for the BTNL2 rs2076530 polymorphism in the 329-bp region in Turkish patients with sarcoidosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

DNA samples were obtained from volunteers including 53 Turkish patients with sarcoidosis and 52 healthy controls. Analysis of the 329-bp region was carried out by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing of genomic DNA.

RESULTS

We did not find any genetic variation except the rs2076530 polymorphism in the 329-bp region. The AA genotype was associated with an increased risk of sarcoidosis in a recessive model [P = 0.027, OR 2.56 (95% CI 1.02-6.49)], but it did not include a risk for sarcoidosis in a dominant model (P = 0.885).

CONCLUSION

Our results emphasize the recessive characteristic of the rs2076530 polymorphism in Turkish patients with sarcoidosis. The lack of any genetic variation except rs2076530 in the 329-bp region is another significant finding for Turkish patients.

Inflammatory markers in exhaled breath condensate in patients with asthma and rhinitis

INTRODUCTION

The present study investigates the lower airway inflammation using malondialdehyde and total protein measurement in exhaled breath condensate in mild asthma, persistent rhinitis, and concomitant asthma and rhinitis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Asthmatics with mild disease, patients with persistent rhinitis symptomatic for at least one year and healthy controls were included. Asthmatics and rhinitis patients were all newly diagnosed and were free of corticosteroid therapy. Participants were nonsmokers, had no respiratoy tract infection within the previous month. Rhinitis patients with asthmatic symptoms and positive bronchial challenge were grouped as patients with persistent rhinitis and concomitant asthma. Malondialdehyde and total protein were measured in the exhaled breath condensate collected from the subjects.

RESULTS

No statistical difference was found in the malondialdehyde and total protein levels in exhaled breath condensate between the four study groups which are; 53 patients with persistent rhinitis, 12 with mild asthma, 16 persistent rhinitis patients with concomitant asthma and 13 healthy controls (p> 0.05). Atopy and nasal eosinophilia were not related to malondialdehyde and total protein levels in exhaled breath condensate.

CONCLUSION

Lower airway inflammation is not a disease specific process and is not a prerequisite concerning patients with mild asthma or rhinitis or patients with coexistence of both diseases.

DD genotype of ace gene I/D polymorphism is associated in a Turkish study population with osteoarthritis

This study was conducted in Turkish osteoarthritis patients to determine the frequency of I/D polymorphism genotypes of angiotensin converting enzyme gene, and to examine the role of this polymorphism in osteoarthritis development. Genomic DNA obtained from 200 persons (135 patients with osteoarthritis and 65 healthy controls) was used in the study. DNA was multiplied by polymerase chain reaction using I and D allele-specific primers. Polymerase chain reaction products were assessed with CCD camera by being exposed to 2% agarose gel electrophoresis. There was statistically significant difference between the groups with respect to genotype distribution (P < 0.001). The D allele frequency was indicated as 69% and I allele was as 31% in the patients, whereas it was 55-45% in the control group. Consequently, in this study, we may assert that ACE gene I/D polymorphism DD genotype determination is significant criteria for identifying patients who are likely to develop osteoarthritis in east population of Turkey.

The association of MMP-9 enzyme activity, MMP-9 C1562T polymorphism, and MMP-2 and -9 and TIMP-1, -2, -3, and -4 gene expression in lung cancer

AIM

To investigate the association of gene expression of MMP-2 and -9, and TIMP-1, -2, -3, and -4 and polymorphism frequencies of MMP-9 C1562T and plasma MMP-9 enzyme activity in lung cancer patients.

METHODS

In this study, DNA and RNA samples were extracted from peripheral blood of 300 subjects (200 lung cancer patients and 100 controls). MMP-9 C1562T polymorphism was determined using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method, and expression of MMP-2 and -9, TIMP-1, -2, -3, and -4 was determined using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Plasma MMP-9 enzyme activity levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

The frequencies of C1562T genotypes were found to be CC 67%, CT 30%, and TT 3% in the control group and CC 75%, CT 24%, and TT 1% in the patient group. It was determined that CC genotype frequency increases significantly in patients according to control group. Plasma MMP-9 enzyme activity levels increased in patients with lung cancer compared to the control group. The cut-off value of MMP-9 enzyme activity was determined as 7.76 ng/mL by receiver operating characteristics curve analysis. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 77%, 51%, 75.9%, and 52.6%, respectively. The expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-1 was found to be higher in lung cancer patients. Finally, we claim that determination of MMP-9 enzyme levels and expression of MMP-2 and -9 and TIMP-1 can be used as a marker in lung cancer.

Effects of S-CMC on the cisplatin toxicity in rats

In the present study, some toxic effects of cisplatin are evaluated in rats. It was also investigated whether S-carboxymethylcysteine (S-CMC), a free radical scavenger, protects the experimental animals from the toxic effects of cisplatin. The 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th groups received physiological saline, dimethyl sulphoxide, and S-CMC (100 and 500 mg/kg i.p.) for 3 days, respectively. The 3rd group received cisplatin (5 mg/kg i.p.) 12 h before sacrifice. The 6th and 7th groups received S-CMC (100 and 500 mg/kg i.p., respectively); additionally, these groups received cisplatin (5 mg/kg i.p.) 12 h before the rats were sacrificed. 5 mg/kg cisplatin decreased significantly serum creatinine and glutamic-oxaloacetic and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase levels as well as leucocyte counts. Although S-CMC did not change the effects of cisplatin on creatinine and liver enzyme levels, it eliminated the effect of cisplatin on leucocyte counts. Cisplatin increased significantly urinary creatinine level and creatinine clearance. Cisplatin caused some histological changes in kidney and liver.

Effects of ciprofloxacin on chromosomes, and hepatic and renal functions in rats

In the present study, ciprofloxacin, a fluoroquinolone antibiotic, was evaluated in vivo. The toxic effects of ciprofloxacin (20 and 200 mg/kg/day) on kidney and liver functions, and on chromosomes were investigated in rats. 20 mg/kg/day ciprofloxacin did not significantly affect urine composition, serum enzyme levels and the haematocrit, affecting only creatinine clearance. The 200 mg/kg/day dose increased urine volume, serum creatinine and and creatinine clearance. Ciprofloxacin at both doses had no significant numerical effect on chromosomes, but there was a statistically significant dose-dependent increase in chromatid-type breakage. Significant histological changes in the liver and kidney were not observed.