Uterine fibroids (UF) are common benign tumors in women. The course of UF is associated with troubling symptoms and the development of infertility and pregnancy pathology. Surgical treatment even implies hysterectomy, while pharmacological interventions are modestly effective. Classically, hypoxic metabolism is considered a hallmark of malignant tumor. However, the role of hypoxia-induced factor (HIF) is significant in benign tumors as well. Herein, we briefly review the basic biology of HIF-family proteins, outlining their possible roles in UF. Apart from theoretical justifications, we summarized 15 studies reporting increased expression of HIFs and downstream factors in UF samples. Altogether, data suggest that increased expression of the HIF-protein and altered expression of its dependent genes are presumed to be the factors leading to UF development. Thus, even without being a malignant tumor, UF is characterized by the strong involvement of HIF. This novel insight may give rise to further research in the direction of finding new prognostic markers and effective medicines against UF.

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The objective of this study was to examine associations of single nucleotide polymorphisms, rs1045642 within the MDR1 gene and rs1799930 within the NAT2 gene, with the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) in the population of Central Russia. DNA specimens were obtained from 178 patients with CRC (87 males and 91 females) and 327 age-matched healthy controls (179 males and 148 females). Genotyping was performed using real-time PCR. Association of the studied SNPs with the risk of CRC was evaluated using logistic regression analysis. It was demonstrated that MDR1 rs1045642 polymorphism was associated with the increased risk of CRC after correction for gender, age, and smoking (OR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.09-1.83; P = 0.008). A gender-stratified analysis showed that MDR1 rs1045642 was associated with the increased risk of CRC only in females (OR = 1.62, 95% CI = 1.11-2.35; P = 0.01). In males, no association between MDR1 rs1045642 and CRC was found. Association between MDR1 rs1045642 and the increased risk of colorectal cancer in Russian females from Central Russia was revealed.

В исследование были включены 1814 пациентов с артериальной гипертензией, ишемической болезнью сердца, мозговым инсультом и сочетанием этих заболеваний и 885 здоровых индивидов из Центральной России. Проведен молекулярно-генетический анализ 18 полиморфных вариантов генов редокс-гомеостаза (Р-Г) и анализ метилирования 4 генов Р-Г. Обсуждаются молекулярно-генетические и эпигенетические механизмы вовлеченности генов Р-Г в формирование распространенных сердечно-сосудистых заболеваний и их коморбидных форм. A total of 1814 patients with arterial hypertension, coronary heart disease, cerebral stroke and a combination of these diseases and 885 healthy individuals from Central Russia were recruited for the study. Molecular genetic analysis of 18 polymorphisms of redox homeostasis (R-H) genes and analysis of methylation of 4 R-H genes were carried out. Molecular-genetic and epigenetic mechanisms of the involvement of R-H genes in the development of common cardiovascular diseases and their comorbid forms are discussed.

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