Associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms of COX-2 and MMP-2 genes and colorectal cancer susceptibility in the Saudi population.

Background: It has been reported that COX-2 expression is associated with MMP-2 expression in thyroid and breast cancers, suggesting that MMPs are linked to COX-2-mediated carcinogenesis. Several polymorphisms within the MMP2 promoter region have been reported in cases with oncogenesis and tumor progression, especially in colorectal carcinogenesis.

Materials And Methods: This research evaluated risk of association of the SNPs, including genes for COX-2 (A/G transition at +202) and MMP-2 (C/T transition at-1306), with colorectal cancer in 125 patients and 125 healthy controls.

Novel mutations of the PARP-1 gene associated with colorectal cancer in the Saudi population.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common type of cancers and the fourth leading cause of death worldwide. In Saudi Arabia, CRC accounts for 8.5% of all tumors; it ranks first among all cancers in males and third among females.

Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (-1306 c>t) promoter polymorphism and risk of colorectal cancer in the Saudi population.

Background: Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) is an enzyme with proteolytic activity against matrix proteins, particularly basement membrane constituents. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at -1306, which disrupts a Sp1-type promoter site (CCACC box), results in strikingly lower promoter activity with the T allele. In the present study, we investigated whether this MMP-2 genetic polymorphism might be associated with susceptibility to colorectal cancer (CRC) in the Saudi population.

Matrix metalloproteinase-2 C(-1306)T promoter polymorphism and breast cancer risk in the Saudi population.

Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) is an enzyme with proteolytic activity against matrix proteins, particularly basement membrane constituents. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at -1306, which disrupts a Sp1-type promoter site (CCACC box), displayed a strikingly lower promoter activity with the T allele. In the present study, we investigate whether this MMP-2 SNP is associated with susceptibility to breast cancer in the Saudi population.

Effect of flaxseed supplementation and exercise training on lipid profile, oxidative stress and inflammation in rats with myocardial ischemia.

Background: Flaxseed has recently gained attention in the area of cardiovascular disease primarily because of its rich contents of α-linolenic acid (ALA), lignans, and fiber. Although the benefits of exercise on any single risk factor are unquestionable, the effect of exercise on overall cardiovascular risk, when combined with other lifestyle modifications such as proper nutrition, can be dramatic.This study was carried out to evaluate the protective role of flaxseed and exercise on cardiac markers, lipids profile and inflammatory markers in isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial ischemia in rats.

Plexin D1: new potential biomarker for cervical cancer.

To explore possible role of Plexin D1 in cancer angiogenesis with special focus on cervical cancer. Twelve various normal tissues, 12 various tumor samples, and 59 different stages of cervical cancer samples on tissue microarrays were examined for the expression of Plexin D1. The findings of our study clearly indicate that Plexin D1 is strongly associated with cellular differentiation in the tissues investigated, and that expression is strongly dependent on the tumor histotype.

Synthesis of some novel benzoxazole derivatives as anticancer, anti-HIV-1 and antimicrobial agents.

In an effort to establish new candidates with improved antineoplastic, anti-HIV-1 and antimicrobial activities we report here the synthesis and in vitro biological evaluation of various series of 2-substituted benzoxazoles: 2-[(Arylhydrazono, arylidene, cycloalkylidene and N-substituted thiocarbamoyl)cyanomethyl]-benzoxazoles(2-4 and 7, respectively); 2-[(4- or 5-oxothiazoliden-2-yliden)benzoxazoles (5 and 6) and 2-(4-amino-3-substituted-2-thioxo-2,3-dihydrothiazol-5-yl)benzoxazoles (8), together with the synthesis of some substituted 3H-pyrido[2,1-b]benzoxazoles (9-11). The absolute configuration of compound 3b was determined by X-ray crystallography. The results of the in vitro anticancer screening revealed that some of the tested compounds exhibited broad spectrum antitumor activity.

Polysubstituted pyrazoles, part 5. Synthesis of new 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-hydroxy-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid hydrazide analogs and some derived ring systems. A novel class of potential antitumor and anti-HCV agents.

A novel series of 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-hydroxy-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid hydrazide analogs and some derived 4-substituted-1,2,4-triazolin-3-thiones, 2-substituted-1,3,4-thiadiazole and 2-substituted-1,3,4-oxadiazoles has been synthesized. Ten of the newly synthesized compounds were selected by the National Cancer Institute (NCI)-in vitro-disease oriented antitumor screening to be evaluated for their antitumor activity. Seven compounds, namely 7a-c, 9, 11, 13 and 14, exhibited potential and broad spectrum antitumor activity against most of the tested subpanel tumour cell lines (GI50<100 microM).