METHODS: A total of 20 PWUK and 20 age matched non-kratom using healthy controls were recruited. Data collected from PWUK included patterns of kratom use, severity of kratom dependence, and severity of depressive symptoms during abstinence from kratom. The mRNA expression of binding immunoglobulin protein ( BiP ), X-box binding protein 1, activating transcription factor 4, and C/-EBP homologous protein ( CHOP ) (major indicators of ER stress response) were analyzed using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in leucocyte-derived total RNA sample of the participants.
RESULTS: PWUK regardless of their pattern of kratom use recorded significantly higher expression of BiP mRNA compared with controls. Expression of CHOP mRNA was only significantly higher in those who first consumed kratom at the age of 18 years and above and those who have been using kratom for longer than 6 years, compared with controls. Higher expression of BiP , ATF4 , and CHOP mRNA were significantly positive correlated with greater severity of kratom dependence. Although only higher expression of BiP and CHOP mRNA were significantly positively correlated with greater severity of depressive symptoms.
CONCLUSIONS: Regular kratom consumption may activate the ER stress pathway and there may be a link between altered ER stress response and kratom dependence and kratom induced depressive symptoms.
METHODS: The expression of PXMP4 mRNA in HCC tissues and corresponding adjacent tissues was detected by Q-PCR, and the expression of PXMP4 protein was detected by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. The correlation of PXMP4 protein expression with clinicopathological features and prognosis of HCC was analyzed.
RESULTS: The expression levels of PXMP4 mRNA and protein in HCC tissues were significantly higher than those in adjacent tissues (P < 0.05), and its high expression was significantly correlated with tumor differentiation, lymph node metastasis, depth of invasion and TNM stage (P < 0.05). Patients with high expression of PXMP4 had a poor prognosis (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION: The high expression of PXMP4 may promote the occurrence and development of HCC, and inhibition of PXMP4 may be one of the potential molecular targets for targeted therapy of HCC.
PURPOSE: We compared the frequencies of potentially functional CD38 gene single nucleotide polymorphisms rs1130169 (T > C) in 86 healthy controls and 90 colorectal cancer (CRC) cases to assess their association with cancer risk and CD38 gene expression.
RESULTS: The association between allele C rs1130169 and CRC risk was observed. Allele C was also significantly correlated with an increased CD38 mRNA level and CD38 positive cell percentages in peripheral blood of healthy controls that could be a possible explanation for CRC risk in C allele carriers. In peripheral blood of CRC patients CD38 mRNA and serum soluble CD38 protein levels significantly differed from those in healthy controls. Calculation of the CD38 full-length and with the third exon deletion mRNA ratio in corresponding samples showed that the mRNA isoform ratio was significantly higher in CRC cases than in controls. It suggests that alternative splicing regulates elevation of CD38 full-length mRNA level in peripheral blood of CRC patients. We also have observed higher expression levels of CD38 full-length mRNA in peripheral blood of CRC patients with lymph node metastases compared to patients without metastases.
CONCLUSION: This study indicated biological significance of rs1130169 variations that can alter differences in CRC risk by regulating CD38 gene expression.