Promoter Methylation of Two HOXA9 and NISCH Genes in Opium Users

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 1. Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran 2. Cancer Research Center, Cancer Institute of Iran, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2 1.Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran 2.Department of Medical Genetics, Applied Biophotonics Research Center, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

3 Department of Medical Genetics, Applied Biophotonics Research Center, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

4 Akhtar Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

5 Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

6 Department of Emergency Medicine, Afzalipour Hospital, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

7 Department of Medical Genetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

10.34172/ahj.2023.1356

Abstract

Background: Opiate abuse has been critically increased in the world, especially in Iran. Owing to the association of opiate use with 
multiple human cancers and neurological disorders, seeking for genetic and epigenetic effects of opium can pave the way for early 
diagnosis of major health defects in addicted users. Accordingly, the present study aimed to determine the methylation status of the promoter of two genes, which are actively involved in neurodevelopment and cancer evolution.

Methods: DNA was isolated from peripheral blood of 28 opium abusers and 19 healthy controls and then subjected to sonication. 
Sonicated DNAs undergone methylated DNA immunoprecipitation-real time polymerase chain reaction (MeDIP-Real Time PCR) 
using specific primer pairs designed for HOXA9 and NISCH genes. Obtained data were analyzed using SPSS software.

Findings: HOXA9 and NISCH genes were found to be significantly methylated in addicted users compared to controls (P<0.001) 
which was significantly associated with the mean of the age regarding HOXA9 gene (P=0.002). Neither opium amount nor duration or route of using was associated with the methylation status of HOXA9 or NISCH genes.

Conclusion: Hypermethylation of HOXA9 and NISCH genes as tumor suppressor in opium-addicted individuals can be considered 
as confirmatory evidence for carcinogenesis of opium. Further studies are required to figure out the role of epigenetic alterations in cancer evolution among opium users.

Highlights

Majid Mahmoodi:  (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

Fatemeh Karami:  (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

Hamidreza Abdollahi:  (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

Navidreza Giahi: (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

Kouros Divsalar: (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

Amin Honarmand: (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

Mohammad Hossein Modarressi: (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

Keywords

References

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Addiction & Health
Volume 15, Issue 2
April 2023
Pages 87-92

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