Induction of apoptosis by metformin and progesterone in estrogen-induced endometrial hyperplasia in rats: involvement of the bcl-2 family proteins.

This study compared the antiproliferative effects of metformin and progesterone, via examination of the Bcl-2/Bax-caspase apoptotic pathway in estrogen-induced endometrial hyperplasia (EH) in 40 rats. Two rats died after bilateral oophorectomy, and 1 week after surgery, the remaining 38 were randomly divided into three groups: the first (control, n = 12) received 4 mg/kg 17ß estradiol hemihydrate (E); the second (n = 13) received 4 mg/kg 17ß estradiol hemihydrate and 50 mg/kg metformin (E + M); and the third (n = 13) received 4 mg/kg 17ß estradiol hemihydrate and 1 mg/day medroxiprogesterone acetate (E + MPA). Histological markers and Bcl-2, Bax and caspase 9 expression were analyzed. Luminal epithelial thickness, density of gland and epithelial height was significantly higher in group E than in groups E + M and E + MPA. Histopathologic parameters were similar between the E + M and E + MPA groups. Bcl-2/Bax ratio was significantly decreased in the E + M and E + MPA groups and caspase 9 expression levels were significantly increased in the E + M and E + MPA groups, compared with the control group. In addition, Bcl-2/Bax ratio and caspase 9 expression were similar between the E + M and E + MPA groups. The data indicate that metformin reduces estrogen-induced EH in rats, via activation of the caspase-dependent mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, to the same degree as progesterone.

Partial trisomy 14q due to maternal t(4;14)(p16;q32) in a dysmorphic newborn.

Partial Trisomy 14q is a rare chromosomal disorder that mostly results from a parental translocation. We report here a newborn boy with partial trisomy 14q and dysmorphic features that are compatible with previously reported cases. Conventional cytogenetic analysis revealed an extra chromosomal segment at the end of the short arm of chromosome 4. In order to determine the origin of this chromosome region we used subtelomeric FISH technique. Based on the results of these cytogenetic studies and the physical examination, this dysmorphic case was diagnosed as partial trisomy of 14q and his karyotype determined as 46 XY, der(4)t(4;14)(p16;q32) resulting from a balanced maternal translocation identified as 46,XX, t(4;14)(p16;q32).

Partial trisomy 3q in a child with sacrococcygeal teratoma and Cornelia de Lange syndrome phenotype.

Partial duplication of 3q is a rare chromosomal disorder that leads to multiple congenital abnormalities such as growth retardation, microcephaly and characteristic facial features. Although the phenotype of the patient has similarities with Cornelia de Lange Syndrome they are etiologically different. We report here a 9 months old baby boy with partial duplication of 3q and features similar with Cornelia De Lange syndrome. Conventional cytogenetic analysis revealed a derivative chromosome 21. In order to determine the origin of this chromosome region we used subtelomeric FISH technique. Based on the results of all these cytogenetic studies and the physical examinations, the diagnosis is partial 3q duplication.

A unique case of a patient with partial trisomy 22 and lipodystrophy: is it a new syndrome due to an IGF-IR mutation?

A newborn male presented with intestinal malrotation, facial anomalies, hypertrichosis, hypertrophic, hyperpigmented nipples and enlarged genitals with a hyperpigmented scrotum. In addition, the patient displayed a marked lipodystrophy of trunk and limbs. His karyotype demonstrated a small supernumerary NOR-positive marker chromosome that was subsequently identified as del(22)(q12->qter). This extra structurally abnormal chromosome probably derives from a maternal balanced translocation, which was found by karyotype analysis of the mother. The patient's growth hormone (GH) serum levels were elevated, whereas serum insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-I) was almost undetectable. Molecular genetic analysis of the IGF-I and type 1 IGF receptor (IGF-IR) genes revealed a heterozygous mutation within exon 21 of the IGF-IR (Pro1257Ser). Findings in our patient correlate to a large extent with partial trisomy 22. Phenotypic variation from classical partial trisomy 22 syndrome may lie within the variability of this syndrome, originate from disturbances within the GH-IGF/IGF-IR axis or, alternatively, reflect the pathogenesis of a new syndrome due to the synergistical impact of the combination of the genetic aberrations. Additional studies are necessary to confirm or refute this hypothesis.

A case with a rare chromosomal abnormality: isochromosome 18p.

Isochromosome 18p (i(18p)), is a rare chromosomal disorder that occurs once in about every 140,000 live births and affects males and females equally. Most of the cases are due to a de novo formation but in the literature familial cases were reported. Here, we report a young female with dysmorphic features as microcephaly, frontal bossing, strabismus, low-set ears, small pinched up nose, small mouth, high palate and long philtrum, presenting a small metacentric chromosome. Besides the dysmorphic features she also has gastroesophageal reflux, spasticity, strabismus and specific brain MRI findings as dilatation of the right lateral ventricle trigonum occipital horn (colpocephaly), thinning of the corpus callosum especially of the posterior part and abnormality of the white matter myelinisation at the frontal and occipital region. Particularly the MR findings are rarely reported in the literature.

Lack of association between the Glu298Asp polymorphism of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and slow coronary flow in the Turkish population.

BACKGROUND: Coronary endothelial dysfunction plays an important pathogenetic role in patients with slow coronary flow (SCF). No data exist regarding the possible contribution of the Glu298Asp polymorphism genotype of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene to human SCF in the literature. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between SCF and the Glu298Asp polymorphism of the eNOS gene. METHODS: The study population consisted of 85 consecutive patients. The patient group included 66 patients with angiographically proven normal coronary arteries with SCF, and 19 subjects with normal coronary arteries with no SCF. The thrombolysis in myocardial infarction frame count was used for the diagnosis of SCF. The Glu298Asp polymorphism was determined by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism. RESULTS: The baseline characteristics were similar between the two groups, except for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, which was higher in the SCF group than in the controls. The genotype distribution of Glu298Asp was as follows: GG 26%, GT 56% and TT 12%, where G is guanine and T is thymine. There was no difference in the frequency of the various genotypes or the alleles in patients with SCF versus normal controls. CONCLUSIONS: The Glu298Asp polymorphism genotype of the eNOS gene is not a risk factor for SCF in the present study population.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization and single nucleotide polymorphism of a new case with inv dup del(8p).

Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization and single nucleotide polymorphism of a new case with inv dup del(8p): Inverted duplication deletion of 8p [inv dup del(8p)] is a complex chromosome rearrangement leading among others to deletion of the chromosome region distal to the duplication in 8p. A new case with an inverted duplication deletion of 8p and the results of SNP-array analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) are reported here. Our results are in concordance with earlier reported inv dup del(8p) cases.

Can the classical euchromatic variants of 9q12/qh+ cause recurrent abortions?

Various heteromorphisms of the 9q heterochromatic area have been reported, and the 9q12/qh variant has been postulated to be more prevalent than initially perceived. Of note is that all probands are clinically normal. This paper documents two cases with a G-band within the 9q12h region and recurrent miscarriages. Patient 1 is a 22-year-old woman with a history of 2 miscarriages. Patient 2 is a 19-year-old woman with a history of 3 miscarriages. Chromosome analysis of the patients showed 46,XX,9q12h+. Thus, the existence of a G+ band in 9qh may not be a normal variant in humans. We suggest IVF and preimplantation genetic diagnosis in such patients.

A case with Waardenburg syndrome presenting with two separate translocations--one reciprocal and one complex.

A 2-month-old Turkish male with Waardenburg syndrome who has two de novo translocations is described. The translocations are a reciprocal translocation between chromosomes 1 and 8, and a more complex translocation involving chromosomes 4 and 7.

Effect of zinc deficiency on chromosomal abnormalities in mice.

In the present study we investigated the effect of zinc-deficiency on chromosomal abnormalities and mitotic index, and the interaction of zinc-deficiency and methotrexate. Therefore, two zinc-deficient and two zinc-adequate diet received mouse groups were constituted. Methotrexate was injected to one of zinc-deficient and one of zinc-adequate diet groups. There were no structural and numerical abnormalities in all groups. However, mitotic index was significantly lower than other groups in zinc-deficient and methotrexate administered mice.

Do non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs induce sister chromatid exchanges in T lymphocytes?

The genetic toxicity of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs was investigated using the sister chromatid exchange technique in cultured human lymphocytes. A total of 48 patients were treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, ketoprofen, naproxen, indomethacin, diclofenac or acetylsalicylic acid) for 2 weeks. The average numbers of sister chromatid exchanges in cultured lymphocytes from the patients, before and after treatment with these drugs, did not differ significantly (P > 0.05). These results indicate that treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for 2 weeks does not induce sister chromatid exchanges in T lymphocytes.

Sister-chromatid exchange inducing effect of smokeless tobacco using on T-lymphocyte chromosomes.

A kind of a smokeless tobacco (Maras powder) is widely used instead of cigarettes in the South Eastern region of Turkey. In this study we investigated the sister-chromatid exchange (SCE) inducing effect of this powder on the chromosomes of its users compared with smokers and nonsmokers using standard cell culture methods and SCE staining techniques. Average SCE per metaphase and total SCEs increased significantly among both smokeless tobacco users and smokers compared to nonsmokers (p < 0.01). However, the effect is significantly lower in smokeless tobacco users than in smokers (p < 0.05).