Comparative expression of caspases and annexin V in benign and malignant ovarian tumors.

AIM OF STUDY: Ovarian cancer (OC) leads to high mortality rate if diagnosed at late stage. The aim of the present study was to increase the survival rate by early disease diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 21 females were divided into three groups. The control (n = 3), benign (n = 8), and malignant group (n = 10). We used flow cytometry to analyze cell cycle, caspase-3, -8, and annexin V. RESULTS: The results showed that the annexin V expressed in malignant group more than benign and normal groups with (P = 0.000 and P = 0.007), respectively. Caspase-3 and 8 expression decreased in benign and malignant group than in normal group (P = 0.012 and P = 0.007), respectively. Furthermore, sub-G1 apoptosis level decreased statistically significant in benign and malignant group than in normal group (P = 0.012 and P = 0.007), respectively. These data showed that (S phase) level had statistically significant increase in malignant group (P = 0.007) than the control group and marked statistically significant decrease (P = 0.000) in benign group than malignant group. This study explained changes in sub-G1 apoptosis for benign group increase statistically significant (P = 0.003) than malignant group level. CONCLUSION: Caspase-3 and -8 and annexin V may serve as diagnostic markers in OC, also explained that the decrement in control of the S phase in the cell cycle may considered one of the significant factors in the development of ovarian tumors.

Low expression of glucocorticoid receptors in children with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome.

BACKGROUND: About 10-20 % of children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (NS) are steroid-resistant (SR). Low expression of glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) has been associated with poor response to steroids in a variety of autoimmune diseases. This study was done to assess the expression of cytoplasmic GRs for CD3 and CD14 in children with NS. METHODS: Expression of cytoplasmic GRs in lymphocytes (CD3(+)/GR) and monocytes (CD14(+)/GR) in the peripheral blood were assessed in 51 children with NS before the start of therapy by flow cytometry. Patients were divided into two groups: 30 children who were steroid-sensitive (SSNS) and 21 children who had initial steroid resistance (SRNS). Twenty age- and sex-matched healthy children served as controls. RESULTS: Expression of CD3(+)/GR was significantly lower in SRNS in comparison to SSNS patients and controls (p < 0.0001). Similarly, expression of CD14(+)/GR was significantly lower in SRNS in comparison to SSNS patients (p < 0.0001) and controls (p = 0.002). CD3(+)/GR and CD14(+)/GR expression were not significantly different in SSNS patients compared with controls (p = 0.06 and 0.07 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with initial SRNS showed decreased GR expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) before starting therapy, and this low expression may be one of the pathophysiological mechanisms of steroid resistance in these children.