Association between glutathione S-transferase omega 1 A140D polymorphism in the Turkish population and susceptibility to non-small cell lung cancer.

Recent years have seen a growing evidence of ethnic differences in the frequency of glutathione S-transferase omega 1 (GSTO1) A140D gene polymorphism, which is associated with various cancers such as breast and liver. Until now however, no association has been investigated between the GSTO1 A140D polymorphism and lung cancer. The aim of our study was to see if there was one in the Turkish population. To do that, we identified GSTO1 A140D polymorphism in 214 unrelated healthy individuals and 172 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. The frequencies of A/A (wild type), A/D (heterozygous mutant), and D/D (homozygous mutant) GSTO1 A140D genotypes in healthy subjects were 48%, 41%, and 11%, respectively. In NSCLC patients they were 48%, 45%, and 7%, respectively. We found no significant association between the GSTO1 A140D gene polymorphism and NSCLC or its histological subtypes, namely squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma. Furthermore, this polymorphism did not correlate with smoking. Our study is the first to show that the frequency of GSTO1 A140D gene polymorphism in the Turkish population is similar to other Caucasian populations and that this polymorphism is not associated with susceptibility to NSCLC.

Protective effects of lithium: a new look at an old drug with potential antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects in an animal model of sepsis.

Sepsis is the systemic response of an organism against microorganisms and toxins. Lithium is a therapeutic agent used for bipolar disorder and neurodegenerative disease, and it exerts pleiotropic effects on various cellular processes. The present study aimed to determine the effect of lithium on cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced tissue injury in the lungs, by inhibiting the pro-inflammatory cytokine response, and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) triggered by polymicrobial sepsis. Five groups of 20 rats each were used: 1) sham-operated control group; 2) CLP group; 3) 50mg/kg lithium-treated control healthy group; 4) 25 mg/kg lithium-treated CLP group; and 5) 50 mg/kg lithium-treated CLP group. A CLP polymicrobial sepsis model was applied to the rats. All rat groups were killed 16 h later, and lung and blood samples were analyzed histopathologically and biochemically. The 25 and 50 mg/kg of lithium decreased the level of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the serum, and the 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α (8-ISO) level in lung tissue. The lithium also increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the total levels of glutathione (GSH) in the lung tissues of rats. The histopathological scores and examinations were in accordance with the biochemical results, and revealed significant differences in the inflammation scores between the sepsis group and the other groups. The CLP+lithium 50mg/kg group had the lowest inflammation score among the CLP groups. Our results indicated that the therapeutic administration of lithium prevented oxidative stress changes and cytokine changes, and also protected vital tissues.

Association between GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 polymorphisms and lung cancer risk in a Turkish population.

Several studies focused on investigating genetic polymorphisms in order to estimate genetic contribution to lung cancer often showed conflicting results. In this study, we investigated the role of GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTP1 exon 5 and exon 6 polymorphisms on developing lung cancer and histological subtypes in 213 lung cancer patients and 231 controls. GSTM1 null, GSTT1 null, and GSTP1 exon 5 variant genotypes did not show a significant risk for developing lung cancer overall. Significant association was noted between GSTP1 exon 6 variant genotypes and overall lung cancer risk (OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.25-3.78; P = 0.006). These results show that GSTP1 exon 6 polymorphism might be an important factor in determining lung cancer susceptibility in a Turkish population.