title: Evaluation of DNA analysis for evidence of apoptosis in megaloblastic anaemia.
abstract: This study involved DNA analysis of bone marrow cells of 15 patients with megaloblastic anaemia. The diagnosis was based on the morphological changes seen in the bone marrow, associated with either a low red cell folate or serum vitamin B12 level and an adequate response to appropriate therapy as confirmation of the diagnosis. Flow cytometric DNA analysis showed an increase in the S and G2 phases of the cell cycle, but conventional agarose gel electrophoretic DNA analysis did not confirm the characteristic 'ladder pattern' which might have been expected in classic apoptosis. In addition, cells showing morphological changes suggestive of apoptosis, such as nuclear condensation and fragmentation, did not show evidence of DNA fragmentation using the ApopTag in situ digoxigenin nucleotide labelled, peroxidase detection system. Further studies using annexin V flow cytometric analysis and pulsed field gel electrophoresis were also unable to detect evidence of apoptosis as a significant cause of cell death in megaloblastic anaemia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, School of Pathology, South African Institute for Medical Research and the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Ingram
authors.forename: A N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Davidoff
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Marais
authors.forename: G G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Sherman
authors.forename: B V
authors.initials: BV
authors.lastname: Mendelow
mesh_terms: D000749:Anemia, Megaloblastic / Q000473:pathology*; D017209:Apoptosis; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000473:pathology*; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis*; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D006801:Humans; D007399:Interphase; D008938:Mitosis; D011003:Ploidies
chemical_list: D004247:DNA