Risk factors for K-RAS proto-oncogene mutation in colorectal cancer

K-rats is an important onco-gene on chromosome 12 and encodes p21 Ras-protein, which is a growth promoting protein. Specific point mutations in codons 12 and 13 are prevalent in colorectal cancer [CRC] patients. Recognition of K-ras mutations may be helpful in screening and early diagnosis of CRC. This study aimed at investigating the association between potential variables known or suspected to be related to risk of CRC and occurrence of K-ras mutations, explaining how such variables play a role in CRC tumorigenesis. Eighty CRC patients were examined for RBC folic acid by enzyme chemi-luminescence and K-ras proto-oncogene genotyping for codon 12 mutations by enriched PCR-RELP technique. RBC folic acid level was significantly deficient in CRC patients with K-ras mutation [23 patients, mean RBC folate= 100.96+51.3 ng/ml] than those without the mutation [57 patients, mean RBC folate = 216.6+116.4 ng/ml][P<0.01], suggesting that decreased folic acid may be a risk factor for K-ras mutation development. Gender also was found to be another predicting risk factor, in spite of being masked by the accentuated folic acid deficiency in females. Folic acid supplementation should be mandatory, and those at high-risk of CRC should be screened for the risk of K-ras mutation using the prediction equation method depending on sex and RBC folate followed by close monitoring for those a high risk for the mutation

Relation between insulin level and bone mineral density in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

The aim of this work is to measure BMD in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and to correlate it with insulin level and insulin resistance. This study comprised 50 premenopausal women 40 type 2 diabetic patients [20 on insulin therapy and 20 or oral hypoglycemic drugs], 10, as a control group, which were healthy non diabetic women matched for age. All studied subjects were subjected to history taking, clinical examination, including weight, height, BMI and waist/hip ratio. Laboratory investigations including fasting and post prandial blood glucose levels, HbA1c, kidney functions, liver functions, urine analysis, lipid profile, serum calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, and fasting insulin level. Bone mineral density [BMD] was measured using DEXA on left fore-arm using Lunar PIXI densitometer. Subjects with other diseases or using drugs that affect BMD were excluded. We found that there was no statistically significant difference in BMD between patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and the control group [T-score was -0.3 in the diabetic group and T-score was -0.2 in the control group]. In patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, there was a significant positive correlation between BMD and both insulin level [p value <0.05] and insulin resistance [p value <0.05]. There was no difference in BMD between type 2 diabetic patients and control group. There was a significant positive correlation between BMD with both insulin level and insulin resistance [HOMA] in patients with type 2 DM

Role of serum interleukin-6 and osteocalcin in prediction of bone loss in postmenopausal women

Osteoporosis is defined as a reduction of bone mass density or the presence of fragility fracture. This reduction in bone tissue is accompanied by deterioration in the architecture of the skeleton, leading to a markedly increased risk of fracture. Interleukin-6 [IL-6] and osteocalcin have been associated with the risk of chronic disease such as osteoporosis. In this study, we assessed the relationships between interleukin-6 and osteocalcin in the prediction of postmenopausal osteoporosis. The study included 80 women whose age ranged from 18 to 80 years and were classified into the following four groups according to the duration of menopause: Control group, this group comprised 20 premenopausal healthy females, they had regular menstrual cycles. Group I [Post Menopausal Patients], this group comprised 20 patients of osteoporosis, with menopause less than 5 years. Group II [Post Menopausal Patients], this group comprised 20 patients of osteoporosis, with menopause from 5-10 years. Group III [Post Menopausal Patients], this group comprised 20 patients of osteoporosis, with menopause more than 10 years. Patients of group I showed a significant increase of both IL6 [p<0.05] and osteocalcin [p<0.001] compared to control group. On the other hand, patients of both group II and III showed non significant change of interleukin-6 while a highly significant increase of osteocalcin [p<0.001], as compared to control group. We concluded that interleukin-6 appears to be a potent osteotropic factors that may play an important role in prediction of bone loss in early menopause as it is easy to measure and can be measured routinely. We recommend for the investigation on role of interleukin-6 in pathophysiology of bone loss