No abstract

This study was conducted in Turkish osteoarthritis patients to determine the frequency of I/D polymorphism genotypes of angiotensin converting enzyme gene, and to examine the role of this polymorphism in osteoarthritis development. Genomic DNA obtained from 200 persons (135 patients with osteoarthritis and 65 healthy controls) was used in the study. DNA was multiplied by polymerase chain reaction using I and D allele-specific primers. Polymerase chain reaction products were assessed with CCD camera by being exposed to 2% agarose gel electrophoresis. There was statistically significant difference between the groups with respect to genotype distribution (P < 0.001). The D allele frequency was indicated as 69% and I allele was as 31% in the patients, whereas it was 55-45% in the control group. Consequently, in this study, we may assert that ACE gene I/D polymorphism DD genotype determination is significant criteria for identifying patients who are likely to develop osteoarthritis in east population of Turkey.

PIWI interacting RNAs (piRNAs), a member of non-coding RNA, originate from intergenic repetitive regions of the genome. piRNA expressions increase in various cancers and it is thought that this increase could be caused by hormones. We aimed to determine the effects of hormones on piRNA expression in breast and prostate cancer. High viability and a decrease in adhesion were observed at the concentrations of the highest proliferation. Furthermore, an increase in adhesion was also observed in MDA-MB-231 cells. After hormone treatment, while piR-651 expression had increased both breast and prostate cancer cell lines, piR-823 expressions increased in prostate cancer cell lines and only in the breast cancer cell line which was malignant. Thus, it was determined that piR-823 might show different expressions in different type of cancers.

The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between anti-inflammatory effects of the natural polyphenolic compound tannic acid (CAS number: 1401-55-4) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) enzyme activity in paw edema model. Thirty-five female rats were divided into five groups. The paws of rats were injected subcutaneously in the plantar surface with formalin except for the control group. Indomethacin and tannic acid were intraperitoneally administered 1 h after formalin injection. The paws volume was measured by using vernier caliper. MPO enzyme activity was determined using 4-aminoantipyrine–phenol solution as the substrate for MPO-mediated oxidation by H2O2. About 17% and 13% edema inhibition has detected in the indomethacin-applied group, at the measurements run every other hour right after the treatment. An inhibition of 16% was found at the group treated with 25 mg/kg tannic acid. However, in the group treated with 50 mg/kg tannic acid, 15% and 7% of the edema inhibition was observed. Serum and paw tissue MPO activities were decreased in treated groups with indomethacin and tannic acid according to formalin control group. Our study results suggest that tannic acid may contribute to the treatment of inflammation by decreasing MPO enzyme activity, but the molecular mechanism is still not clear.

Natural compounds such as resveratrol, tannic acid, and quercetin may help to treat cancer. Tamoxifen is a non-steroidal anti-estrogen drug widely used in the treatment of patients with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. The aim of the study was to compare the effects of these natural compounds and tamoxifen in colon adenocarcinoma (CaCo-2) and breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) cell lines, on telomerase enzyme activity, cell viability, number of cells and DNA fragmentation. In this study to determine telomerase enzyme activity was used PCR-ELISA kit. To determine cell viability and number of cells were used tripan blue stain. DNA fragmentation was determined by DNA ladder isolation kit. Tannic acid was more effective than resveratrol, with respect to reduction in telomerase activity, cell viability and cell count in breast adenocarcinoma. Tannic acid and tamoxifen was more effective than resveratrol and quercetin telomerase activity, cell viability and cell count in colon adenocarcinoma. Flavonoids such as resveratrol, tannic acid and quercetin which was studied on, has benefical effects on cancer therapy. These effects such as decreasing telomerase enzyme activity, cell viability and number of cells and inducing DNA fragmentation (apoptosis) must be studied for assist to develop new therapeutic pathways. There should be much more sudies in order to discover resveratrol, tannic acid and quercetin and other potential medicines.