Lack of association between increased mitochondrial DNA4977 deletion and ATP levels of sputum cells from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients versus healthy smokers.

In this study we looked at smokers with and without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients in order to evaluate the incidence of 4977 base pair (bp) mtDNA (mtDNA4977) deletion and mtDNA copy number in sputum cells and in peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) in relation to mitochondrial function and oxidative stress status. Twenty-five COPD patients who were current smokers, 22 smokers and 23 healthy nonsmokers (for only PBLs studies) participated in this study. The 4977-bp deletion was detected in all examined samples within 40 cyles of PCR amplification, using a quantitative real time PCR. The frequency of the mtDNA4977 was significantly higher in the sputum cells of patients with COPD compared to smokers without COPD (p < 0.0001). This difference was not observed in PBLs. Levels of cellular oxidative stress were significantly higher in the sputum cells of subjects with COPD than in the smoker group. However, mtDNA copy number, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and cellular ATP levels in PBLs and sputum cells were not significantly different between the studied groups. The Pearson analysis revealed no correlations between the accumulation of mtDNA4977, and intracellular ATP content and ΔΨm values of the sputum cells, although there was a positive correlation between the increase in the percentage of deleted mtDNA4977 and the levels of cellular oxidative stress in COPD patients (r = 0.80, p < 0.0001). Our studies may suggest that the accumulation of mtDNA4977 in the sputum cells of smokers with COPD does not seem to have an important impact on mitochondrial dysfunction in relation to ATP production and ΔΨm when compared to those of healthy smokers.

Giant Cornu Cutaneum Superimposed on Basal Cell Carcinoma.

Cornu cutaneum (CC) is a clinical term that describes the horn-like keratotic lesions extending vertically from the skin. Benign, premalignant or malignant lesions may be present at the base of CC. Seborrhoeic keratosis and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are the most commonly reported benign and malignant forms, respectively. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) at the base is rare. Here, we report on an 85-year old female patient having multiple CC lesions, one being giant on her face and two of the lesions diagnosed with BCC at the base. This case is of significance due to the presence of giant and multiple CC and detection of BCC at the base of more than one lesion. This present case indicates the need for the treatment of possible malignant lesions underlying CC in the elderly by total surgical excision.