Increased Expression of CYP2E1 Gene in Gastric Cancer May be a Molecular Marker for Mazandaran Province Population

Abstract

Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) enzyme metabolically activates a large number of low molecular mass xenobiotics probably involved in gastric cancer incidence through activation of procarcinogens. North of Iran is amongst high incidence rate areas of gastric carcinoma where environmental carcinogenic compounds, including agricultural pesticides, are massively used. In this report, we quantitatively compared <em>CYP2E1</em> gene expression between tumoral and nontumoral-marginal tissues of gastric cancer patients as well as normal healthy gastric tissues by real-time PCR. Results showed that <em>CYP2E1</em> gene cDNA copy numbers were relatively increased in tumoral group vs. nontumoral-marginal and normal healthy groups. Comparison of means DDC_Tby Dunkan's test statistically verified significant differences of <em>cyp2E1</em> cDNA copy numbers between tumoral and healthy tissues (P=0.0018). It seems that the increased <em>CYP2E1</em> gene expression may be associated with increased risk for gastric cancer. So, we recommended that <em>CYP2E1</em> gene expression may be an appropriate molecular marker to determine individual sensitivity to gastric cancer and also for designing cancer prevention programs.