Sister chromatid exchange analysis in the lymphocytes of patients with ankylosing spondylitis.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated whether any genomic change occurs in DNA level in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) by measuring sister chromatid exchange (SCE) frequency.


METHODS
SCE frequency was detected on metaphase chromosomes obtained from peripheral blood lymphocyte cultures in 15 patients diagnosed as having AS. SCE values were also obtained from 15 healthy subjects as a control group. SCE frequencies were detected from metaphases obtained from standard blood cultures by using bromodeoxyuridine and staining by Giemsa.


RESULTS
SCE frequencies of AS were statistically higher than those of the control group (p < 0.005).


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that genetic factors may play a more important part than realised in the aetiology of AS.
Sönmez
S
S
Department of Medical Genetics, Atatürk University Faculty of Medicine, Erzurum, Turkey.
Senel
K
K
Oztaş
S
S
Erdal
A
A
Cerrahoğlu
L
L
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008677:Metaphase; D008875:Middle Aged; D012854:Sister Chromatid Exchange; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000235:genetics*