Promoter Methylation of Two and Genes in Opium Users.

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 and genes. Obtained data were analyzed using SPSS software.

FINDINGS

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

CONCLUSION

Hypermethylation of and 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.