• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.4209-4214
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• 2013

Background: Breast cancer is among the five most common cancers and ranks first among cancers diagnosed in Iranian women. Screening and treatment of this disease with molecular methods, especially regarding high incidences at early age and advanced stage, is essential. Several genes with altered expression have been identified by cDNA microarray studies in breast cancer, with the Bcl-2 gene indicated as a likely candidate. In this study, we studied Bcl-2 gene expression levels in parallel tumor and non-tumor breast tissues. Materials and Methods: Forty samples including 21 tumor, 16 non tumor (marginal) and 3 benign breast tissues which were all pathologically diagnosed, were subjected to RNA extraction and polyA RT-PCR with the expression level of Bcl-2 quantified using real-time PCR. Results: There is higher expression levels of the Bcl-2 gene in tumor samples compared with marginal samples, but not attaining significance(p>0.05). Bcl-2 expression in 14 (66.7%) of the cases of tumor samples and 9 (56.3%) cases of the marginal samples were positive. Comparison of the expression of the Bcl-2 gene in histological grade showed that a high expression of Bcl-2 was associated with a high histological grade (p<0.41). Conclusions: Our data suggests that dysregulated Bcl-2 gene expression is potentially involved in the pathogenesis of breast cancer. Using gene expression analysis may significantly improve our ability for screening cancer patients and will prove a powerful tool in the diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of the disease whilst aiding the cooperative group trials in the Bcl-2 based therapy project.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.325-330
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• 2003

The effects of estrogen on apoptosis induced by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-doxin (TCDD) were examined in cultured MCF-7 cells. TCDD stimulated apoptosis and inhibited the expression of bcl-2 gene in MCF-7 cells grown in the media supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum. However, TCDD failed to induce apoptosis if cells were grown in the media deprived of all estrogen-like compounds. Removal of estrogen-like compounds from the growth media also led to the activation of bcl-2 gene expression in cells treated with TCDD. Combined treatment of estrogen with TCDD abrogated the binding of Aryl hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR)-TCDD complex to Dioxin response element (DRE) of bcl-2 gene leading to the inhibition of bcl-2 gene expression as well as stimulation of apoptosis. The present study suggests that the binding of estrogen receptor (ER)-estrogen complex to the estrogen responsive element (E) interferes with the binding of AhR- TCDD complex to the DRE and inhibits the bcl-2 expression.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.14
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• pp.6067-6071
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• 2015

Background: Gastric cancer accounts for about 8% of the total cancer cases and 10% of total cancer deaths worldwide. It is the second lethal cancer after esophageal cancer and is considered the fourth most common cancer in north and northwest Iran. The bcl2 family has a key role in the regulation of apoptosis and change in its expression can contribute to cancer. This study initially scheduled to determine the expression of bcl2 gene in tissue samples of adenocarcinoma cancer patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 10 samples of gastric adenocarcinoma and 10 of normal tissues from Sari hospital were selected and after DNA extraction from tissues, bcl2 gene expression assayed by real-time PCR. Results: Our results demonstrated higher expression of the bcl2 gene in control compared with cancer and marginal cancer tissues. Conclusions: On one hand BCL2 plays an important role as an oncogene to inhibit apoptosis; on the other hand, it can initiate cell cycle arrest at G0 stage. Our observed association between its expression and patient survival is quite conflicting and may be tissue-specific. The data suggest expression both tumoural and non-tumoral(marginal) groups have lowered expression than controls (P>0.05). Due to the low number of samples we could not examine the relationship with clinicopathological features. However, bcl-2 expression may be important for prognostic outcome or a useful target for therapeutic intervention.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 1999

In the mammalian ovary, follicular development and atresia continuously occur during the reproductive cycles. Follicular atresia occurs through granulosa cell apoptosis. Apoptosis is known as the physiological cell death, which is regulated by bcl-2 gene family. In the bcl-2 gene family, bcl-2 and bcl-xLong are known as inhibitors of apoptosis, whereas bax and bcl-xShort are known as inducer of apoptosis. We thought that bcl-2 protein is associated with follicular development and atresia. But it is not known that the distribution of cells containing bcl-2 protein during follicular development and atresia. Therefore, to examine the distribution of cells with bcl-2 protein during ovarian follicular development and atresia, the immunohistochemistry was used in the rat ovary. Bcl-2 immunoreactivity was localized in the interstitial cells, theca externa cells and granulosa cells around of antrum. All positive signals were observed in the cytoplasm of these cells. Positive signals were strongly observed in the interstitial and theca externa cells of growing antral follicles. While, positive signals were weakly observed in these cells from atretic antral follicles. Positive signals were very weakly observed in the granulosa cells of growing and atretic antral follicles. According to these data, we suggested that bcl-2 proteins which were strongly expressed in the interstitial cells and theca externa cells of growing antral follicles inhibit follicular atresia. And we purposed that bcl-2 proteins regulated follicular development and atresia through the action of bcl-2 gene family.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.33-51
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• 2011

Objectives: This study was performed to assess the protective effect of Saengmaek-san (SM) on UVB-induced HaCaT cell damage. Methods: The protective effects of Saengmaek-san(SM) were determined by UVB-induced HaCaT assay. We assessed protective effects of Saengmaek-san (SM) on LDH release and nitrite release from HaCaT. And COX-2, Bcl-2, Bax, $TNF{\alpha}$, c-jun, c-fos, NF-kB, iNOS, Bcl-xL gene expression were determined in HaCaT using real-time PCR method. Results: 1. SM inhibited LDH-release, nitrite production in UVB-exposed HaCaT. 2. SM suppressed the gene expression of COX-2, $TNF{\alpha}$ in UVB-exposed HaCaT. 3. SM increased the gene expression of Bcl-2, Bax, Bcl-xL family protein in UVB-exposed HaCaT. 4. SM suppressed the gene expression of c-jun, c-fos, NF-kB in UVB-exposed HaCaT. Conclusions: The study showed SM inhibited the cell damage in UVB-exposed HaCaT.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.118-125
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• 2005

Purpose: The expression of apoptosis-related genes, such as survivin, bcl-2, and bax has been examined in the human osteosarcoma and then evaluated the correlation with clinical data of patients. Materials and Methods: Fifty human osteosarcoma specimens were established from incisional biopsy and examination of survivin, bcl-2, and bax by immunohistochemical study was performed. We investigated the correlation of survivin, bcl-2, bax and their two or three combined expressions with clinical data including the response of chemotherapy, local recurrence, distance metastasis, and oncologic outcome. Results: Survivin was showed in 26 cases (52%), bcl-2 in 23 cases (46%), and bax in 21 cases (42%) osteosarcoma. And coexpression of survivin and bcl-2 was showed in 19 cases (38%), survivin and bax in 13 cases (26%), bcl-2 and bax in 8 cases (16%), and all three expression was showed in 8 cases (16%). There was no correlation between their apoptosis related gene and histologic difference, the presence of local recurrence and distant metastasis. Whereas neoadjuvant chemotherapy response correlated with bcl-2 expression (P=0.04), and survivin and bcl-2 coexpression (P=0.044) with poor chemoresponse. The rate of died of disease was correlated with bcl-2 (P=0.001), survivin and bcl-2 coexpression (P=0.027) with bad outcome. Survival curves of bcl-2 (P=0.0075), survivin and bcl-2 (P=0.0012) was showed negative correlation in the Kaplan-Meier method. Conclusion: The apoptosis related gene expression was relatively high in osteosarcoma, bcl-2 expression was correlated with poor chemotherapy response and poor survival rate, but survivin was correlated with this oncologic outcome only in the bcl-2 coexpression. The examination of immunohistochemical stain of apoptosis related gene in osteosarcoma could be helpful in the judgment of osteosarcoma prognosis.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.237-246
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• 2019

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) refers to the expansion and the enlarged myocardium due to the increased resistance to ejection from the left ventricle to the aorta and/or the periphery, or the long-term burden imposed by the blood increase. Hypertension is a major risk factor that accounts for more than 50% of the causes of cardiovascular disease. If hypertension endure in the long term, the myocardium responds to abnormal heartbeat in the heart. Therefore, the prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy also increases. As a result of genome-wide association study (GWAS) analysis for European people, PDGFC, MARK3, and BCL2 were related to blood pressures. In this study, the genetic polymorphisms of PDGFC, MARK3, and BCL2 were extracted and selected based on Korean genomic and epidemiologic data, and then logistic regression analysis was performed on LVH. As a result, one SNP (rs9307953) in PDGFC gene, four SNPs (rs6575983, rs17679475, rs2273703 and rs10141388) in MARK3 gene and two SNPs (rs17756073 and rs17070739) in BCL2 gene were statistically significant. The rs6575983 of the MARK3 gene showed the highest significance level ($P=7.2{\times}10^{-3}$) among the SNPs and the relative risk of 1.08 (95% confidence interval: 1.06 to 1.45). These results suggest that the polymorphisms of PDGFC, MARK3, and BCL2 not only affect European blood pressures but also correlate with LVH in Korean. These results suggest that increased understanding of the genetic correlations of the pathogenesis of LVH.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6739-6742
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• 2013

Background: Breast cancer is a major health problem worldwide. Olive oil induces apoptosis in some cancer cells due to phenolic compounds like oleuropein. Although oleuropein has anticancer activity, the underlying mechanisms of action remain unknown. The study aimed to assess the mechanism of oleuropin-induced breast cancer cell apoptosis. Materials and Methods: p53, Bcl-2 and Bax gene expression was evaluated by semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in luminal MCF-7 cells. Results: Oleuropein-induced apoptosis was accompanied by up-regulation of both p53 and Bax gene expression levels and down-regulation in Bcl2. Conclusions: Oleuropein induces apoptosis in breast tumour cells via a p53-dependent pathway mediated by Bax and Bcl2 genes. Therefore, oleuropein may have therapeutic potential in breast cancer patients by inducing apoptosis via activation of the p53 pathway.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.450-464
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• 2004

Background : The FHIT (fragile histidine triad) gene is a frequent target of deletions associated with abnormal RNA and protein expression in lung cancer. Previous studies have shown FHIT gene transfer into lung cancer cell line lacking FHIT protein expression resulted in inhibition of tumor cell growth attributable to the induction of apoptosis and reversion of tumorigenecity. However, the mechanism of the tumor suppressor activity of the FHIT gene and the cellular pathways associated with its function are not completely understood. Methods : To gain insight into the biological function of FHIT, we compared the NCI-H358 cell line with its stable FHIT transfectants after treatment with cisplatin or paclitaxel. We investigated the effects of FHIT gene expression on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and activation of caspase system and Bcl-2 family. The induction of apoptosis was evaluated by using DAPI staining and flow cytometry. Activation of caspases and Bcl-2 members was evaluated by Western blot analysis. Results : A significantly increased cell death was observed in FHIT transfectants after cisplatin or paclitaxel treatment and this was attributable to the induction of apoptosis. Remarkable changes in caspases and Bcl-2 family were observed in the transfected cells as compared with the control cells after treatment with paclitaxel. Activation of caspase-3 and caspase-7 was markedly increased in cells expressing FHIT. Expression level of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL protein was significantly decreased and that of Bax and Bad protein was significantly increased in the transfected cells. Conclusion : FHIT gene delivery into lung cancer cells results in enhanced apoptosis induced by treatment with cisplatin or paclitaxel. The data suggest that apoptosis in FHIT-expressing cells could be related to activation of caspase pathway and Bcl-2 family.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.31-49
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• 2011

Objectives: This study was performed to assess the protective effect of Polygonum multiflorum(PM) on UVB-irradiated HaCaT Keratinocytes damage. Methods: The protective effects of Polygonum multiflorum(PM) were determined by UVB-irradiated HaCaT assay. We assessed protective effects of Polygonum multiflorum(PM) on LDH release and nitrite production from HaCaT. COX-2, Bcl-2, Bax, $TNF{\alpha}$, c-jun, c-fos, NF-${\kappa}B$, iNOS, Bcl-xL gene expression were determined in HaCaT using real-time PCR method. Results: 1. PM inhibited LDH Release in UVB-irradiated HaCaT Keratinocytes. 2. PM inhibited Nitrite Production in UVB-irradiated HaCaT Keratinocytes. 3. PM suppressed the Gene Expression of COX-2 in UVB-irradiated HaCaT Keratinocytes. 4. PM increased the Gene Expression of Bcl-2 in UVB-irradiated HaCaT Keratinocytes. 5. PM didn't increase the Gene Expression of Bax in UVB-irradiated HaCaT Keratinocytes. 6. PM suppressed the Gene Expression of $TNF{\alpha}$ in UVB-irradiated HaCaT Keratinocytes. 7. PM suppressed the Gene Expression of c-jun in UVB-irradiated HaCaT Keratinocytes. 8. PM suppressed the Gene Expression of c-fos in UVB-irradiated HaCaT Keratinocytes. 9. PM suppressed the Gene Expression of NF-${\kappa}B$ in UVB-irradiated HaCaT Keratinocytes. 10. PM suppressed the Gene Expression of i-NOS in UVB-irradiated HaCaT Keratinocytes. 11. PM didn't increase the Gene Expression of Bcl-xL in UVB-irradiated HaCaT Keratinocytes Conclusions: In conclusion, these results suggest that PM inhibited the cell damage in UVB-irradiated HaCaT.