Correlation of GSTP1 Polymorphism with Severity of Prostate Cancer in an Eastern Indian Population

Background:GSTP1is one of the Glutathione-S-Transferases(GSTs) which suppress tumor genesis by detoxifying toxic carcinogens and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Prostate cancer is related to several mutations affecting the expression of GSTP1. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP: Ile105Val) in the GSTP1gene results insignificant reduction in its anticancer activity. The current case control study was conducted to ascertain the risk of association of GSTP1polymorphism with risk of cancer prostate in an Eastern Indian population. Materials and Methods: During a study period of 2 years, DNA was isolated using the phenol chloroform extraction method from the blood of 225 histopathologically diagnosed prostate cancer patients and 120 matched controls. The GSTP1polymorphism was assessed by PCR amplification of thegene followed by restriction digestion with Alw261 (a restriction enzyme derived from Acinetobactro lwoffiRFL26). Histopathological grading in the case group was performed using Gleason’s scores and International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grading. Results:Comparison of the distribution of different GSTP1alleles between the case and control groups was performed by chi square test and odds ratio analysis. A χ2 value of 18.56 suggested significantly higher number of Galleles in the case group. An odds ratio of 2.25 with a confidence interval of 1.52 to 3.34 for 95% CI showed that the Gallele in GSTP1gene were linked with greater risk of prostate cancer. Post hoc ANOVA and logistic regression suggested that cases having Galleles had more progressive form of diseases as evident from ISUP grades.Conclusion:From our study we can conclude that GSTP1polymorphism is not only significantly associated with risk of prostate cancer but also with its severity in our Eastern Indian population.GSTP1polymorphism should be considered as a prognostic indicator for prostate cancer patients along with planning for more aggressive management of the disease

A cross-sectional study to assess any possible linkage of C/T polymorphism in CYP17A1 gene with insulin resistance in non-obese women with polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Background & objectives: Insulin resistance (IR) is a major confounding factor in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) irrespective of obesity. Its exact mechanism remains elusive till now. C/T polymorphism in the -34 promoter region of the CYP17 gene is inconsistently attributed to elucidate the mechanism of IR and its link to hyperandrogenemia in obese PCOS patients. In the present study we aimed to evaluate any association of this polymorphism with IR in non-obese women with PCOS. Methods: Polymorphism study was performed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the Msp A1 digest of the PCR product of the target gene in 75 PCOS cases against 73 age and BMI matched control women. Serum testosterone, BMI and HOMA-IR (homeostatic model of assessment-insulin resistance) were analyzed by standard techniques. A realistic cut-off value for the HOMA-IR was obtained through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for exploring any possible link between IR and T/C polymorphism in the case group. Results: Significant increases in serum testosterone and HOMA-IR values were observed among the case group (P<0.001) without any significant elevation in BMI and FBG compared to controls. Cut-off value for IR in the PCOS patients was 1.40 against a maximum sensitivity of 0.83 and a minimum false positivity of 0.13. The analysis revealed an inconclusive link between the C/T polymorphic distribution and insulin resistant case subjects. Interpretation & conclusions: The results showed that CYP17A1 gene was not conclusively linked to either IR or its associated increased androgen secretion in non-obese women with PCOS. We propose that an increased sensitivity of insulin on the ovarian cells may be the predominant reason for the clinical effects and symptoms of androgen excess observed in non-obese PCOS patients in our region.

A Comparative Study to Evaluate the Interplay of Lipoprotein (a) With Traditional Lipid Parameters in Overt and Subclinical Hypothyroidism.

Aims: In conjunction with triglyceride (TG) and HDLc, changes in the Lp (a) level in hypothyroidism have shown variable results. In the present study we made an effort to evaluate the role of Lp(a) as cardiovascular risk factor in both subclinical(SH) and overt hypothyroidism(OH) along with its dependence with dyslipidemic changes found in both groups. Study Design: It was a cross sectional, observational, non interventional, hospital based study Place and Duration of the Study: The study period was one year spanning a duration from February 2014 to January 2015 in the Dept. of Biochemistry, Calcutta National Medical College, Kolkata. Methodology: We evaluated the changes in Lp(a) TG, HDLc and fT4 levels in 30 overt and 34 subclinical hypothyroid patients and compared them with 34 control subjects in a hospital based cross-sectional study. Data were compared for difference between mean values and obtaining dependence of Lp(a) on lipid parameters. Results: Mean values of Lp(a), TG, TC and LDLc were found to be increased most in the OH group followed by that in the SH patients, the difference between two groups being significant statistically (p < 0.001). In contrast, fT4 and HDLc showed decreased levels in both SH and OH groups with a significant difference between them. Results of multiple linear regression analysis revealed that changes in the Lp(a) levels showed significant positive and negative dependence on the TG (β = 0.377 for OH and 0.296 for SH), and fT4 (β= -0.699 for OH and -0.380 for SH) and HDLc (β= -0.341 for OH and -0.393 for SH) respectively. Conclusion: Dyslipidemic features are evident in patients with SH as well as in the OH group that play also an important predictive role on the changes in Lp(a), indicating that in addition to traditional dyslipidemia, nontraditional risk factors like Lp (a) play a major role in initiating cardiovascular adverse events even in the early stages of hypothyroidism (SH).

hsCRP in pre-hypertension and hypertension: a prospective study in Southern Asian region.

Background: Hypertension is turned into a leading cause of non-communicable disease associated mortality and morbidity in both developing as well as developed world. Hypertension is reported to be the fourth contributor to premature death in developed countries and the seventh in developing countries. In the regard of early diagnosis and better prognosis, the concept of pre-hypertension, defined as a systolic blood pressure of 120-139 mmHg and/or a diastolic blood pressure of 80-89 mmHg was introduced as the new guideline for the management of blood pressure by the seventh report of the Joint National Committee on prevention, detection, evaluation, and treatment of high blood pressure (JNC-7). Among various other factors inflammation may be a causative factor for development of Hypertension But the association is not very clear. Accordingly, we have designed our study to find any association of hsCRP with pre-hypertension and hypertension so that early prevention and control can help to avoid or delay the grave outcome and complications of hypertension. Methods: A total of 37 hypertensives, 30 pre-hypertensives and 31 age and sex matched healthy control subjects were selected for the study, with consent. Two BP readings were taken five minutes apart, on both arms, with a mercury sphygmomanometer. The estimation of serum hsCRP was done on XL-600 automatic analyzer with the kit (Erba Mannheim) based on the measurement of antigen-antibody reaction by the end-point method. Results: There is significant difference in systemic and diastolic blood pressure and hsCRP in between group study. In pre-hypertensive group hsCRP is correlated with diastolic blood pressure. Conclusion: Our results suggest a correlation exists between hsCRP and hypertension more significantly with pre-hypertension. So estimation of serum hsCRP can be a good diagnostic as well as prognostic marker in diagnosing pre-hypertensives and prevent the occurance of hypertension and cardio vascular disorders thereby.

Comparison of Urinary and Serum CA 19-9 as Markers of Early Stage Urothelial Carcinoma

Objectives Although the glycoprotein group tumor marker CA 19-9 has been detected in both serum and urine of bladder cancer patients, information about their comparative role in screening of low grade transitional cell carcinoma (LGTCC) and high grade transitional cell carcinoma (HGTCC) is rare. Materials and Methods In this study we measured both the urinary and serum levels of CA 19-9 in 35 LGTCC and 20 HGTCC patients by ELISA and determined the cut off value of both urinary and serum CA 19-9 levels by receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC) for both patient groups. Odds ratio (OR) for CA 19-9 was analyzed with its range at 95% confidence interval to analyze the role of this tumor marker as a screening parameter for both of these cancer types. Results For urinary CA 19-9 the OR was 20.16 with an interval of 4.91-82.71 whereas for the serum CA 19-9 it was 7.5 with an interval of 2.28-24.62. Conclusions From these data we suggest that urinary CA 19-9 is a better screening parameter with optimum sensitivity and specificity than its serum counterpart for diagnosis of low grade and early stages of transitional cell carcinoma of urinary bladder. Furthermore, it can be suggested that urinary CA 19-9 can be used as better prognostic marker for LGTCC than its serum counterpart. .

Iodine deficiency disorders among the pregnant women in a rural hospital of West Bengal.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Iodine deficiency disorder (IDD) is a major nutritional problem in India. The pregnant women and their neonates have been important target groups for study of the prevalence of IDD in a community. No such study was available to assess the prevalence of IDD among the pregnant women and neonates in the state of West Bengal. The present study was undertaken to assess the status of IDD in the pregnant women and its effect on the neonatal thyroid function in Burdwan district of West Bengal. METHODS: The present study was a hospital-based, cross-sectional, non-interventional study among 267 full term pregnant mothers, and the neonates born to them. One hundred non pregnant healthy women were selected as controls. The overall iodine status of the pregnant and non pregnant women was estimated by measuring the urinary iodine excretion (UIE) and the serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels. The neonatal thyroid function was estimated by measuring the TSH levels in their cord blood. RESULTS: A total of 78.4 per cent pregnant women showed UIE > 10 mug/dl with 7 per cent having a UIE < 5 mug/dl. The median UIE and the serum TSH values in the pregnant women were found to be 14.4 mug/dl and 4.1 mIU/l, respectively. No statistically significant difference was found when compared with the control values. Only 2.9 per cent of the neonates showed a cord blood TSH value > 5 mIU/l which is just below the recommended criteria for mild endemicity for IDD in the study population. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Pregnant women of the study area were iodine repleted. The neonatal thyroid function was also within normal range. The findings of the present study indicates that the iodine supplementation of the salt should be maintained in the area with periodical surveillance.

Prevalence of iodine deficiency disorders among schoolchildren in three blocks of Bardhaman District and Bardhaman Municipal area of West Bengal, India: a comparative study.

Urinary iodine levels in children (6-12 years) living in three rural blocks and in the municipal urban area of Bardhaman District, West Bengal, were analyzed to compare the status of recent iodine nutrition in the rural and urban population of the district. Goiter, indicating previous iodine status, was simultaneously estimated. Iodine levels in salt samples, that provide insight into the usage of iodized salt, were estimated. Data indicated that 56.6% of urban children and 51.1% of rural children were biochemically iodine repleted and had urinary iodine excretion (UIE) levels > or = 10microg/dl. Urban children (29.4%) and rural children (37.1%) were found to have goiter. Eighty percent and 50% of the rural and urban salt samples, respectively, were found to have iodine levels below 10 ppm; with significant urban-rural differences. The results indicate that iodine repletion in the surveyed area needs continuous surveillance of the proper distribution and use of iodized salt.