Genetic factors contribute to the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD). We studied 100 patients with CAD and 50 healthy individuals to assess the association of endothelial nitric oxide (eNOS) polymorphism (Glu298Asp) and angiotensinogen polymorphisms (M235T) and CAD in an Egyptian population. Serum nitric oxide (NO) and angiotensin I levels were also measured. The frequency of Glu298Asp and M235T polymorphisms were higher in the CAD group compared with controls. The mean level of NO was significantly lower (P < .05) while angiotensin I was significantly higher (P < .05) in patients CAD than in controls. The frequency of eNOS TT allele of M235T variant was significantly higher in patients with CAD (20% vs 6%). The frequency of angiotensinogen (AGT) TT and T allele in patients with CAD was significantly higher (P < .05) than in controls (22% vs 6%and 47% vs23%, respectively). Homozygosity for Glu298Asp and M235T polymorphisms may predispose to CAD.

No abstract

No abstract

There is an intimate relation between disturbance in survivin and SMAC/DIABLO expressions and cancer formation in many tissues; however, this was not confirmed in the primary breast cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between survivin and SMAC/DIABLO mRNA expressions in primary breast cancer using RT-PCR and their relationship to some of the risk factors (age, family history, breast-feeding, use of contraceptive pills and hormonal receptors). Breast cancer tissues were studied for the detection of the mRNA expression of survivin and SMAC/DIABLO. This was done by qualitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). SMAC/DIABLO mRNA was detected by RT-PCR only in 1 sample in breast cancer tissues (6.25%). However, it was expressed in 16 out of 25 (64%) of the benign tumor tissues (P=0.00). In contrast, survivin mRNA was highly expressed in breast cancer tissues, 36 out of 48 (75%) (P=0.00), while its expression was very low in benign tumor tissues, only 1 out of 37 (2.7%) (P=0.00). Expressions of SMAC/DIABLO and survivin were significantly reciprocal in breast cancer and benign tumor tissues. SMAC/DIABLO inhibits apoptosis of breast cancer cells by suppression of survivin. These two genes probably form an important link in the signaling pathway of formation of breast cancer cells, which may be chosen as therapeutic targets in the primary breast cancer.

No abstract