Disease Markers - Volume 15, issue 4

Article Type: Research Article

Citation: Disease Markers, vol. 15, no. 4, pp. 213-219, 1999

Authors: Poggi, Massimo | Aterini, Stefano | Nicastro, Laura | Chiarugi, Vincenzo | Ruggiero, Marco | Pacini, Stefania | Gulisano, Massimo

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: In an ethnically homogeneous population of women living in Tuscany, Italy, the relationships between age, body weight, bone mineral density and the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphism were studied, with the objective of recognizing patients at risk for osteoporosis.  In 275 women bone mineral density was measured by Dual Energy X-rays Absorptiometry (DEXA).  In 50 of them the individual genetic pattern for VDR was evaluated by DNA extraction followed by PCR amplification of the VDR gene, and …digestion with the restriction enzyme BsmI. Age and bone mineral density were inversely related (R2 = 0.298).  Body weight was associated with bone mineral density (R2 = 0.059), but not with age.  In osteoporotic women, mean (± SD) body weight was 59.9 ± 6.5 Kg, lower than that recorded in non osteoporotic women (64.2 ± 9.4 Kg), even though not significantly different (p = 0.18).  No association was found between VDR gene polymorphism, bone density or body weight.  The performance of anthropometric and genetic components appear to be poor, and, at least for the time being, bone mineral density measurement by means of MOC-DEXA represents the optimal method to detect women at risk for postmenopausal osteoporosis. Show more

Keywords: osteoporosis, vitamin D receptor, vitamin D receptor gene, bone density, body weight

Citation: Disease Markers, vol. 15, no. 4, pp. 221-227, 1999

Authors: Mady, Essam | Wissa, Gehane | Khalifa, Ali | El-Sabbagh, Mahmoud

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This study was constructed to investigate the relationship between renal anaemia and erythropoietin (EPO) concentrations in chronic renal failure (CRF) patients and to evaluate the possible role of the liver.  Serum EPO levels were measured in blood samples from 20 CRF patients on hemodialysis (HD), 20 liver cirrhosis (LC) patients, 20 patients having both CRF and LC and undergoing HD, and 20 normal control subjects.  Blood cell counts, iron indices (iron, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) and ferritin), renal …function (blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine), hepatic function (ALT, AST, ALP and bilirubin) investigations were carried out for all the subjects enrolled in this study.  CRF patients without LC had serum EPO concentration of 6.21 ± 0.53 mU/ml (mean ± SE), which was significantly higher than that in patients having both CRF and LC (4.32 ± 0.52) (p < 0.01).  Both groups showed significantly lower values than the controls (12.75 ± 0.70) (p < 0.001). LC patients with intact kidneys had significantly higher EPO level (22.70 ± 1.70) (p < 0.001).  No correlation was found between EPO level and any of the hematologic or iron indices. Show more

Keywords: erythropoietin, iron indices, chronic renal failure, liver cirrhosis

Citation: Disease Markers, vol. 15, no. 4, pp. 229-236, 1999

Authors: Mady, Essam | Wissa, Gehane | Khalifa, Ali | El-Sabbagh, Mahmoud

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This study was carried out to investigate the relationship between lipoprotein (a) levels and the development of atherosclerosis in chronic renal failure (CRF) patients with the possible role of the liver.  Serum Lp (a) levels were measured in samples from 20 CRF patients on hemodialysis (HD), 20 liver cirrhosis (LC) patients, 20 patients having both CRF and LC and undergoing HD, and 20 normal control subjects.  Renal function (blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine), hepatic function (transaminases (ALT …and AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total bilirubin) investigations and serum cholesterol were carried out for all the subjects enrolled in this study.  Serum Lp (a) concentration in CRF patients without LC was 87.25 ± 6.17 mg/dl, which was significantly higher than all the investigated groups (P < 0.001).  Lp(a) concentration in patients with both CRF and LC was 24.65 ± 1.98 mg/dl, which was not significantly different from the controls, but was significantly higher than that in the subjects with LC only (P < 0.001) where the latter group had significantly low Lp (a) values (11.1 ± 0.99) relative to all the other groups (P < 0.001).  Lp (a) correlated positively with cholesterol in all groups except the LC subjects, but did not correlate with age, or renal function in both CRF groups. Show more

Keywords: lipoprotein (a), cholesterol, chronic renal failure, liver cirrhosis, atherosclerosis

Citation: Disease Markers, vol. 15, no. 4, pp. 237-247, 1999

Authors: Khalifa, Ali | Kassim, Samar K. | Ahmed, Maha I. | Fayed, Salah T.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The role of transforming growth factor-b (TGF-b) and nitric oxide (NO) in ovarian neoplasia is still not clear.  We studied the expression of TGF-b by enzyme immunoassay, and nitrates (as a stable end product of NO) in 127 ovarian tissues (36 normal, 37 benign, and 54 malignant).  Ploidy status and synthetic phase fraction (SPF) were also assessed by flow cytometry.  Mean ranks of TGF-â, nitrate, and SPF were significant among different groups (X2 = 12.01, P = 0.0025, X2 = 67.42, …P = 0.000, X2 = 9.06, P = 0.011 respectively).  Nitrate mean ranks were significant among different FIGO stages of the disease (X2 = 17.6, P = 0.000).  A significant correlation was shown between TGF-â, and nitrate levels in all tissues (r = 0.24, P = 0.01), as well as in malignant tissues (r = 0.3, P = 0.026).  Cutoff values were determined for both TGF-â (290 pg/mg protein), and nitrates (310 nmole/mg non protein nitrogenous substances).  At these cut-offs, nitrates showed a sensitivity of 93% and 84% specificity for malignant versus normal cases, while TGF-â had 76% sensitivity, and 82.4% specificity for poor versus good outcome.  Patients with epithelial ovarian cancer were followed up for a total of 40 months.  Survival analysis showed that patients with TGF-â above the cut-off had worse prognosis (X2 = 12.69, P = 0.004).  The present results suggest that malignant transformation of ovarian tissues is associated with increased TGF-b and NO production. NO level is related to the development and progression of epithelial ovarian cancer, while high levels of TGF-b could be of prognostic significance. Show more

Keywords: TGF-ß, NO, nitrates, synthetic phase fraction, ovarian cancer

Citation: Disease Markers, vol. 15, no. 4, pp. 249-258, 1999

Authors: Erbagci, Ayse Binnur | Yilmaz, Necat | Kutlar, Irfan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Information on menstrual cycle dependent variation of tumor markers in healthy women is a subject of diagnostic efficiency and has an impact in elucidating the normal function of these markers.  In this study midfollicular and midluteal concentrations of serum CEA, AFP, CA 19-9, CA 125, CA 15-3 and their relations with LH, FSH, prolactin, estradiol and progesterone were evaluated during ovulatory cycles in a group of 23 healthy female individuals.  Samples were collected on the 7th and …21st day of the same menstrual cycle.  Tumor marker and hormone concentrations were determined with chemiluminescence or electrochemiluminescence EIA methods.  A significant phase-dependent difference was observed for CA 15-3, midluteal concentrations (mean ± SEM; 26.33 ± 1.56 U/ml) higher than the midfollicular (mean ± SEM; 19.27 ± 1.49 U/ml) concentrations (p < 0.001).  But an obvious difference for other tumor markers investigated did not exist.  Significant correlations of follicular and luteal CA 125 levels with body mass index of the subjects were observed (r:0.52, p < 0.05 and r:0.57, p < 0.005, respectively). CA 15-3 antigen is a product of the MUC-1 gene which is expressed in abundance by endometrial epithelial cells in the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle which may be the potential source of variability.  The association of CA 125 levels with obesity suggests a possible role of adipose tissue in CA 125 metabolism.  In conclusion our data suggest that in healthy women serum CA 15-3 levels are significantly elevated in the midluteal phase of the menstrual cycle compared to midfollicular phase. Therefore, consideration of menstrual cycle dependent variability for CA 15-3 appears indicated in interpretation of individual results. Show more

Keywords: tumor markers, menstrual cycle, CEA, AFP, CA 19-9, CA 125, CA 15-3

Citation: Disease Markers, vol. 15, no. 4, pp. 259-267, 1999

Authors: DiAngelo, Susan | Lin, Zhenwu | Wang, Guirong | Phillips, Scott | Ramet, Mika | Luo, Junming | Floros, Joanna

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: We have previously identified an allele of the human SP-A2 gene that occurs with greater frequency in an RDS population [12].  Because of the importance of SP-A in normal lung function and its newly emerging role in innate host defense and regu-lation of inflammatory processes, we wish to better characterize genotypes of both SP-A1 and SP-A2 genes.  It has been determined that SP-D shares similar roles in immune response.  Therefore, in this report we 1) describe a novel, non …radioactive PCR based-cRFLP method for genotyping both SP-A and SP-D; 2) describe two previously unpublished biallelic polymorphisms within the SP-D gene; 3) present the partial sequence of one new SP-A1 allele (6A14) and describe other new SP-A1 and SP-A2 alleles; and 4) describe additional methodologies for SP-A genotype assessment.  The ability to more accurately and efficiently genotype samples from individuals with various pulmonary diseases will facilitate population and family based association studies.  Genetic poly-morphisms may be identified that partially explain individual disease susceptibility and/or treatment effectiveness. Show more

Keywords: surfactant SP-A, SP-D, SNPs, genotype analysis

Citation: Disease Markers, vol. 15, no. 4, pp. 269-281, 1999

Authors: Ahmed, Maha I. | Fayed, Salah T. | Hossein, Hanan | Tash, Fathy M.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Reactive oxygen species (ROS), represented by superoxide, hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals, have been implicated in many diseases including cancer.  ROS have been known to play an important role in the initiation and promotion of multistep carcinogenesis.  The cellular antioxidants play a crucial role in protection against neoplastic disease.  However, very little is known about the antioxidant defense in cervical carcinoma.  This is addressed in the present study.  Lipid peroxides, glutathione content and the activities of …antioxidant enzymes, together with vitamin C and E content, were estimated in patients who had carcinoma of the cervix, and the values were compared with those of normal women.  The results showed a remarkable reduction in the content of glutathione, vitamin E and C.  Activities of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were also reduced in cervical cancer compared to normal controls (P < 0.001).  This reduction was more marked in late stages (III, IV) than in early stages (I, II) (P < 0.001).  Glutathione was reduced more in poorly differentiated tumors (grade III) than in well and moderately differentiated ones (grade I, II) (P < 0.05).  Levels of lipid peroxides were found to be significantly higher in malignant than in normal tissue samples and their levels were correlated with advanced clinical stage (P < 0.001).  Our results suggest impaired antioxidant status in carcinoma of the cervix.  This impairment is related to tumor progression. Show more

Keywords: cervical carcinoma, LP, GSH, SOD, GSH-Px, vitamin C, vitamin E

Citation: Disease Markers, vol. 15, no. 4, pp. 283-291, 1999

Authors: Bottini, Egidio | Gloria-Bottini, Fulvia

Article Type: Other

Citation: Disease Markers, vol. 15, no. 4, pp. 293-294, 1999