Bozkurt, Aliseydi; Gürbüzel, Mehmet; Sayar, Ilyas; Baydeniz, Soner; Arslan, Yusuf Kemal

Objectives: Free DNA is used as a cancer biomarker due to its low cost, high applicability, and fast, reliable results compared to invasive methods. This study aimed to evaluate the quantification of plasma-free DNA after long-term storage conditions and perform qualification through single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) screening based on this DNA. Methods: Plasma-free DNA samples were quickly isolated from the peripheral blood of both the benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and control group participants and then maintained at -80 °C for four years. Upon thawing, first, free DNA was purified and fluorometric measurements were taken to determine the amount of DNA. Subsequently, the rs6983267, rs12628, and rs1799939 SNPs were screened in the CCAT2, HRAS, and RET genes, respectively. Results: Significant results were obtained from the fluorometric measurements in terms of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) (p<0.001). However, there was no significant difference in SNPs rs6983267, rs12628, and rs1799939 in the BPH group compared to the healthy individuals. Conclusions: The data show that fluorometric ssDNA measurements are suitable for quantifying free DNA. The fact that SNP screening can be done successfully in both healthy people and BPH patients suggests that plasma-free DNA can be stored in the laboratory under appropriate conditions.

Ugur, Kader; Aydin, Suleyman; Donder, Emir; Sahin, Ibrahim; Yardim, Meltem; Kalayci, Mehmet; Gozel, Nevzat; Ulu, Ramazan; Dag, Muhammed Sait; Sarikaya, Murat

Serum ghrelin level is also associated with iron deficiency anemia (IDA), but no study has yet been published on the obestatin level in patients with IDA, even though both hormones are a single gene product. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to determine whether there is a link between IDA and these two hormones among other hematological parameters in patients with IDA. To measure ghrelin and obestatin, human saliva and serum were collected from 30 women with IDA and 30 control women with repeated collection of samples over a period of 1 week and 1 month. Saliva and serum ghrelin levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Saliva and serum ghrelin and obestatin levels were significantly lower in the IDA group compared with controls; these levels increased slightly above baseline with iron treatment, but remained below the control values. Serum hemoglobin (Hb), ferritin and hematocrit (Hct) levels significantly increased with iron treatment, while total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) decreased compared to baseline concentrations. The findings suggest that IDA might be linked to imbalance of circulating (serum) and non-circulating (saliva) ghrelin and obestatin levels. Using saliva in place of serum for monitoring the two hormones should minimize inconvenience and patient discomfort.