内蒙地区砷暴露人群p16基因甲基化的分析

目的 了解内蒙地区砷暴露人群p16基因甲基化发生情况,从分子水平揭示砷化物的致癌机制.方法 分别在饮水型砷中毒流行区选取40例典型确诊地方性砷中毒患者、40名流行区非患者以及40名非流行区的正常人,作为本研究的病例组和2个对照组,采用甲基化特异性PCR(MS-PCR)技术,测定各组人群血标本p16基因甲基化水平,并做χ2检验.结果 病例组、流行区对照组与非流行区对照组的p16基因甲基化率分别为:65.0%、47.5%和20.0%,且随砷中毒流行区的饮水砷暴露强度增加而增加,组间有显著性差异(P＜0.005).结论 饮水型砷暴露与人群p16基因甲基化发生率增高有关.

Detection of p16 gene methylation in population exposed to arsenic in Inner Mongolia

Objective To investigate the occurrence of p16 gene methylation in the population chronically exposed to arsenic in Inner Mongolia,and to study the molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis associated with arsenic exposure.Methods The study group was composed of 40 cases of typical arseniasis selected from the epidemic area,and the two control groups consisting respectively of 40 non-arseniasis cases selected from the same epidemic area,and 40 healthy persons enrolled from non-epidemic area.Methylation of p16 gene in the blood specimens were analyzed for all the subjects with MS-PCR techniques,and statistical analysis was performed using chi square test.Results The positive rates of p16 hypermethylation in blood specimens were 65.0%,47.5% and 20.0% respectively in study group and two control groups,and the rate of hypermethylation increased with the increase in arsenic exposure with drinking water in epidemic areas.The positive rate of p16 hypermethylation showed significant differences(P<0.005)among the three groups.Conclusion Arsenic exposure through drinking water correlates with the higher frequency of methylation of p16 gene in the blood in arsenic rich area.