The role of p53, bax, bcl2, and 8-OHdG in human acute myocardial infarction

Abstract

AbstractApoptosis is implicated in unfavorable remodeling of the left ventricle during acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Both DNA damage and p53 play important roles in regulating apoptosis. Expression patterns of apoptotic regulating genes such as p53, bax, and bcl-2 highlight the importance of inhibiting ventricle remodeling and subsequent injuries. In the present study, serum levels of p53 and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) as well as p53, bax, and bcl-2 expression were examined after the onset of AMI in Iranian patients. Serum levels of p53 and 8-OHdG were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the presence of p53 protein and mRNA expression of p53, bax, and bcl-2 were analyzed by Western blotting and real time RT-PCR methods respectively. In patients presenting with AMI, serum levels of p53 and 8-OHdG were increased in comparison to healthy controls. Likewise, transcripts of p53 and bax were also elevated in patients while bcl-2 was decreased. Collectively, our data suggest the novel use of p53 and 8-OHdG as markers of apoptosis and DNA damage following AMI. Our results also revealed that apoptosis occurs in concert with an up-regulation of p53 and bax and a down-regulation of bcl-2 which may suggest a possible therapeutic intervention in patients recovering from AMI.