Serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor [VEGF] levels in patients with alpha thalassemia

Background: Alpha-thalassemia syndrome includes a group of hereditary anemia in which expression of alpha globin chains is decreased or absent. Impaired RBC in patients with thalassemia causes vessel involvement and endothelial cell vessel disturbance. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor [VEGF] is the most important regulator for endothelial cell proliferation. So, the aim of this study is to compare the serum VEGF levels in patients with alpha thalassemia and normal control group

Materials and Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 17 patients with alpha thalassemia and 40 healthy people. Serum VEGF levels were measured by enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay [ELISA] kit. Then statistical analysis of results were performed using SPSS 16, value of P <0.05 was considered statistically significant

Results: Mean serum VEGF levels in case and control groups were 2294.19 +/- 1552.39 and 598.09 +/- 988.17pg/ml, respectively. Serum VEGF levels were higher in patients with alpha thalassemia [P <0.01]. There was no significant correlation between serum VEGF levels and Hemoglobin. [P= 0.73]

Conclusion: Our study revealed that patients with alpha thalassemia have elevated levels of serum VEGF than normal control group. Further studies with larger sample size are recommended to confirm these observations

[ effect of endurance training on MiR-155 expression, STAT3 gene expression, and interleukin 6 protein in mice with breast cancer]

Endurance training has an important role in the prevention and adjuvant therapy of breast cancer. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of endurance training on miR-155 expression, signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 [STAT[3]] gene expression, and interleukin 6 [IL-6] protein in breast cancer tumor in mice. In this study, 16 female Balb/C mice were randomly divided into exercise-tumor [ET] and rest-tumor [RT] groups. The mice were oriented in the environment and one million estrogen-dependent breast cancer cells [MC4L2] were injected into each mouse. Subsequently, the ET group performed endurance exercise, 5 days per week for 6 weeks. Tumor volume was measured by a digital caliper weekly. Finally, the mice were sacrificed and tumor tissue was removed and kept in -70[degree]C. Then, RNA was extracted by the Trizol protocol and complementary DNA [cDNA] was synthesized according to guidelines of the Kit Company. Consequently, the real-time PCR method was performed and data was collected. Significant differences were observed between the ET and RT groups in the STAT[3] gene expression, miR-155 expression, and IL-6 protein [P < 0.05]. These results were consistent with tumor growth rate. Exercise can reduce miR-155 expression, STAT[3] gene expression, and IL-6 protein in tumor tissue. Due to the reduction in miR-155 expression, STAT[3] gene expression, and IL-6 protein in the ET group, it can be claimed that endurance training can be used as adjuvant therapy by decreasing of oncogenic and inflammation factors

Thrombin Activatable Fibrinolysis inhibitor Thr 325 Ile polymorphism in fetuses with factor XIII deficient family history and Intracranial hemorrhage

Background: factor XIII Deficiency [FXIIID] is an inherited rare bleeding disorder with some life threatening clinical manifestation including Intracranial Haemorrhage [ICH]. Among all polymorphisms found in FXIIID, Thrombin Activatable Fibrinolysis Inhibitor [TAFI] Thr325Ile gene polymorphism increases probability of ICH about 20 fold in patients with FXIII .So, in this study we aimed to evaluate TAFI Thr 325 Ile polymorphism in Chorionic villus samples [CVS] of fetuses with positive family history of FXIIID and ICH

Materials and Methods: this study was performed on chorionic villus of pregnant mothers ´ with positive history of FXIIID accompanied with ICH in first-degree relatives of their fetus. All parents of the fetuses were completed consent form for doing Prenatal diagnosis [PND]. Chorionic villus DNA was extracted from each sample using the DNA extraction kit and PCR-RFLP was performed for TAFI Thr 325Ile polymorphism in Exon 4 of FXIII A gene

Results: all of 8 fetuses had positive family history of FXIIID. Seven out of eight fetuses [87.5%] had a family member with CNS bleeding due to FXIIID. Four fetuses had history of death due to FXIIID. There were 5 case [62.5%] that were homozygote for TAFI Thr 325 Ile, one [12.5%] was heterozygote and two [25%] were non mutant

Conclusion: detection of TAFI Thr 325 Ile polymorphism by PND program in fetuses with positive family history of ICH is seems necessary and it will help to fill many gaps in preventing life threatening features of FXIIID in newborn at the time of delivery by prophilaxy receiving and precautionary measures

Evaluation of the effect of miR-26b up-regulation on HbF expression in erythroleukemic K-562 cell line

The major hemoglobin in the fetus is hemoglobin F [alpha2gamma2], whereas in adult humans, hemoglobin A [alpha2beta2] is predominately expressed. Several studies have indicated that expression of the HbF subunit gamma-globin might be regulated post-transcriptionally. This could be done by small non-coding RNAs called microRNAs which target mRNAs in a sequence-specific manner and lead to translational repression or mRNA decay. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of miR-26b up-regulation on gamma-globin gene expression in K-562 cell line. These cells were grown in RPMI 1640 and pre miR-26b and were transfected within K-562 cell line using lentiviral vector. After RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis in selected days, miRNA up-regulation was confirmed by miRNA real time PCR and then gamma and beta chain and GATA-1 expression were investigated by RT and QRT-PCR. The viability of cells before transfection was 90%. Three and 7 days after transfection, through the use of relative Q-PCR, the gamma chain expression increased 3.7, 6.8 and 3.8 folds and GATA-1 expression increased 2.1, 6.0 and 8.0 in comparison with untransfected cells. The data suggest that miR-26b can be involved in the increase of gamma-globin gene expression in K-562 cell line. We suggest that miR-26b may be a significant therapeutic target for increasing HbF levels in patients with sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia in two patients with beta-Thalassemia major

Occurrence of leukemia in thalassemia major is a rare presentation. Here we report two cases of thalassemic patients, developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The genetic analysis revealed that, female and male patients were homozygous for IVSI-6 and IVSI-5, respectively. Two years ago the female patient presented by a high leukocyte count [154,000 micro L] and male one also presented by 80,000 WBC/micro L count 1 year ago. Microscopic examination of both patients revealed lymphoblasts that morphologically accommodate with ALL-L1 that were confirmed by photocytometry

Evaluation of liver and kidney function in favism patients

G6PD deficiency is the most common enzymopathy of red blood cells. The clinical symptoms of favism are jaundice, hematuria and haemolytic anaemia that seem to affect liver and kidney in long term. Thus we evaluate kidney and liver function of favism patients in an endemic area of the disease with a high rate of fava beans cultivation. This study was performed on favism patients and healthy controls referring to Iranshahr central hospital. Liver and kidney function tests were performed. The results showed a statistically significant difference between these two groups [p <0.05] for liver function tests, [AST, ALT and ALP], but not for renal tests [BUN and creatinine] [p >0.05]. Due to abnormalities were seen in the liver function tests of these patients, we suggest that these tests be regularly performed for favism patients who are constantly exposed to oxidant agents

miR-155 down Regulation by LNA inhibitor can reduce cell growth and proliferation in PC12 cell line

MicroRNAs [miRNAs] are a class of small non coding regulatory RNAs that have key functions in multiple cell processes. Deregulation of these tiny miRNAs are involved in various human diseases. MiR-155 is one of the multifunctional miRNA that its over-expression has been found to be associated with different kinds of cancer such as leukemia, breast and colon cancers. It is thought that deregulation and over-expression of this microRNA may be associated with PC12 cell proliferation. So, the aim of this study was to investigate the role of miR-155 expression on PC12 cell growth. For this reason, PC12 cells were cultured and transfected by 3 different concentration [25, 50 and 75 nmol] of either LNA anti-miR-155 or scramble antisense in 24-well plate. Then, total RNA was extracted from transfected cells. miRNA cDNAs were synthesized from isolated total RNA. In the second step, miR-155 expression level was analyzed using the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction [QRT-PCR]. MTT test was performed to evaluate cell viability. In the next step, apoptosis assay was assessed to investigate anti miR-155 effect on PC12 cells death. Obtained results were analyzed with t-test. MTT test revealed that cell viability of transfected cells with 75 nM of anti-miR- 155 to be reduced by half of the control and scramble groups [0.5 vs. 0.97 and 0.94]. Our data suggest that miR-155 over-expression is associated with PC12 cell growth. So, miR-155 down regulation by anti-miR-155 could open up new ways to restrain brain tumor growth, as anti-miR-155 causes PC12 cells to repress

Antineoplastic effect of Fenugreek [Trigonella Foenum Graecum] seed extract against acute myeloblastic leukemia cell line [KG-1]

Treatment of cancer patients using conventional chemotherapy causes serious side effects and, at best, merely extends the patient's lifespan by a few years. The potential of alternative therapies may therefore be of great benefit in cancer control. The effect of Trigonella Foenum Graecum seed extract has been previously reported on some neoplastic cells. Here, its effect is evaluated on human acute myeloblastic leukemia cell lines. The cell line KG-1 was treated with various concentrations of Fenugreek seeds extract with various durations. Cellular enumeration, viability test, staining and light microscopy, and apoptosis induction were evaluated. Results showed significant cytotoxic effect of Fenugreek seeds extract against this cell line which resulted in growth inhibition, cell death and morphological changes. Apoptosis induction was not considerable. Fenugreek seeds extract did not change the count and morphology of normal lymphocytes. Applying herbal medicines could be an effective and safe treatment for leukemia. To our knowledge, this is the first study that suggests significant chemotherapeutic effects of Fenugreek seeds against these cell lines