Evaluation of multidrug resistance-1 gene C>T polymorphism frequency in patients with asthma

OBJECTIVES:Asthma is a chronic inflammatory lung disease characterized by bronchial hyperresponsiveness and airflow obstruction. Genetic and oxidative stress factors, in addition to pulmonary and systemic inflammatory processes, play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of asthma. The products of the multidrug resistance-1 gene protect lung tissue from oxidative stress. Here, we aimed to evaluate the association between the multidrug resistance-1 gene C>T polymorphism and asthma with regard to oxidative stress-related parameters of asthmatic patients.METHODS:Forty-five patients with asthma and 27 healthy age-matched controls were included in this study. Blood samples were collected in tubes with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. DNA was extracted from the blood samples. The multidrug resistance-1 gene polymorphism was detected by polymerase chain reaction and a subsequent enzyme digestion technique. The serum levels of total oxidant status and total antioxidant status were determined by the colorimetric measurement method.RESULTS:The heterozygous polymorphic genotype was the most frequent in both groups. A significant difference in the multidrug resistance-1 genotype frequencies between groups indicated an association of asthma with the TT genotype. A significant difference between groups was found for wild type homozygous participants and carriers of polymorphic allele participants. The frequency of the T allele was significantly higher in asthmatic patients. The increase in the oxidative stress index parameter was significant in the asthma group compared with the control group.CONCLUSIONS:The multidrug resistance-1 gene C/T polymorphism may be an underlying genetic risk factor for the development of asthma via oxidant-antioxidant imbalance, leading to increased oxidative stress.

Interaction between anemia and blood levels of iron, zinc, copper, cadmium and lead in children.

OBJECTIVE: Anemia is a widespread problem among infants and children in many parts of the world, and it is often associated with some trace elements (iron, zinc, copper) and heavy metals (cadmium and lead). Aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between anemia and these elements. METHODS: This research was performed on 256 children (mean age 6.8 +/- 0.2) living in Denizli city center. We observed iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in 23 children, iron deficiency without anemia (ID) in 36 children and only anemia (ferritin level normal) (OA) in 18 children, and 179 children were found healthy and they were regarded as controls (C). Blood samples were taken from subjects and the concentrations of zinc, copper, iron, cadmium and lead in serum were measured with atomic absorption spectrophotometer. RESULTS: The levels of copper, cadmium and lead in serum were significantly higher in children with IDA than those of controls (p<0.05, p<0.05, p<0.01, respectively). The other elements in the serum of ID were not different from controls. CONCLUSION: High copper, cadmium and lead decreased iron absorption and negatively affected hematological parameters.