C6771 polymorphism of MTHFR and G80A polymorphism of RFC genes and their relation with homocysteine levels in obese tunisian children

To investigate the frequencies of C677T polymorphism in MTHFR gene and G80A polymorphism in RFC gene in obese and no obese Tunisian children and to assess their relation with homocysteine [tHcy], folate and vitamin B12 levels. We have studied 31 obese compared to 22 no obese children. tHcy was assessed by fluorescence-immunoassay ; folate and vitamin B12 by radioimmunoassay. C677T and G80A mutations were detected using pyrosequencing. There were no differences in tHcy levels between obese and no obese, [10,34 +/- 4,86micro moll/l vs11,00 +/- 4,26micro moll/l]. We found no difference for the allelic frequencies of the C677T polymorphism [29.03% vs 30.95%] and of the G80A polymorphism [64.52% vs 59.52%]. Mean levels of tHcy, folic acid and vitamin B12 were not significantly different according to MTHFR and RFC genotypes. We demonstrated no difference in tHcy, folates, vitamin B12 levels and allelic frequencies of C677T and G80A polymorphisms in MTHFR and RFC genes between obese and no obese Tunisian children. These two polymorphisms don't seem to have any impact on homocysteine, folate and vitamin B12 status in the two populations

[Deletion polymorphism of glutathione S-transferases M1 and T1 in the Tunisian population]

Glutathione S-transferases [GST] play a vital role in cellular defense against environmentally toxic compounds. These enzymes present a genetic deletion polymorphism, which varies with ethnicity. To evaluate the frequencies of homozygous deletion of GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes in Tunisian population. On the basis of multiplex PCR protocol, the frequency of the deleted genotypes of GSTM1 and GSTT1gees was evaluated on 145 healthy Tunisian subjects. We found that 34.6% of the individuals had the GSTM1 null genotype, 16.6% had the GSTT1 null genotype and 4.82% had a double deletion of both GSTM1 and GSTT1. The distribution of GSTM1 null in Tunisians is rather in the range of black populations and is lower than that reported in Asians, Arabs and Caucasians. However the frequency of GSTT1 null is the range of several populations studied except Asians. The double deletion frequency seems lower than that described in different populations

Serum calcium, phosphorus and protien changes in cancer patients undergoing abdominal surgery

To report the serum calcium, phosphorus and protein abnormalities in cancer subjects during abdominal surgery. 41 patients are collected [32 F/9 M] with a mean of age 57.78 +/- 12.7 years, who had undergone abdominal surgery. Serum samples were obtained on the day before surgery and on days 3 and 8 post surgery for measurement of serum total calcium, protein, and phosphorus. The different parameters studied fall significantly at day 3 and increase at day 8 postsurgery in all patients. The means levels of total calcium, phosphorus and protein before surgery are 2,04 +/- 0,2 mmol/l, 1,12 +/- 021 mmol/l and 55 +/- 7 g/l vs 1,9 +/- 0,26 mmol/l, 0,98 +/- 0,18 mmol/l and 50 +/- 8 g/l at day 3 post surgery. Post operative hypocalcemia was attributed to the fall in protein and the decrease in phosphorus may be resulted from renal losses of phosphorus due to extracellular volume expansion

Use of common seric tumor markers in patients with solid cancers

Seric tumour markers [STM] are molecules that theoretically indicate the presence of malignancy, and largery used for monitoring response to therapy and early detection of relapse. This article describes the use and limitations of common SMT in patient with solid tumors. Excepting prostate specific antigen [PSA] and thyroglobulin, STM are not poorly sensitive or specific for screening and diagnosis of cancers. Alpha foetoprotein [AFP] is however used to screen hepatocellular carcinoma in high risk patients with suspect masses. Beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotrophin [beta-HCG] is frequently used for the diagnosis and management of gestational trophoblastic disease, while combined AFP and beta-HCG dosage is a good adjunct in the evaluation and treatment of non seminomatous germ cell tumors. PSA is used for screening and follow up of prostate cancer. Ca 125 is useful for evaluating pelvic masses in postmenopausal women and monitoring response to therapy in women with ovarian cancer, while Ca 15 3 is used to follow response to therapy in patients with breast cancer

[Seric soluble interleukin-2 receptor alpha in nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Tunisia. Prospective study about 45 cases]

Soluble interleukin-2 receptor alpha [sIL-2Ralpha is a well-known indicator of T-cell activation noted to be increasing in nasopharyngeal cancer. The aims of this study were to evaluate the importance of the use of this marker in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Our prospective study interested 45 patients [35M/10F] with a mean age of 49 years [15 to 78], presenting a nasopharyngeal carcinoma histologically confirmed and 61 healthy controls. A blood sample was collected from each patient before any treatment, as well as controls to measure sIL-2Ralpha by immunoenzymatic assay. According to the disease status after a period of follow-up ranging from three to 22 months [median 12 months], patients were divided into two groups: The remission group [n = 28] represented those with favourable evolution and a second group of 15 patients with unfavourable evolution [2 death, 4 cases of persistent primary disease and 9 patients with distance metastasis]. 2 patients were lost to follow-up. serum sIL-2Ralpha levels were significantly higher in patients vs healthy controls [p < 0.0001]. The serum levels correlated with the stage T of NPC [p = 0.01]. Patients having a favourable evolution have lower sIL-2Ralpha levels before treatment vs those with unfavourable evolution without statistical difference. Measurement of serum sIL-2Ralpha provides a good estimation of the nasopharyngeal tumor burden. The usefulness of this marker as a parameter to predict prognosis in NPC should be examined further