Comparing the Expression of Foxa1 and Foxa2 Genes in the Stomach in Men and Women

In recent years, it is found that a large number of genes are differentially expressed in two sexes; this can be referred to sexual dimorphism in gene expression. One of the main reasons for the differences in gene expression between male and female is assigned to sex hormones. Regarding to the presence of estrogen and androgen response elements in the regulatory region of Foxa1 and Foxa2 genes and sexual dimorphism in the incidence of gastric cancer, in this study, we compared the expression of these genes in the stomach of healthy men and women.

Sampling was done from 20 healthy men and 21 healthy women using endoscopy from the gastric antrum. Following RNA extraction and complementary DNA (cDNA) synthesis, expression of Foxa1 and Foxa2 genes was compared between the men and women using semi-quantitative technique of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Then, the data were analyzed using statistical t and ANOVA tests.

The expression of Foxa1 was significantly higher in women than men (P = 0.041, df = 36, t = 2.12). In addition, the expression of this gene was significantly higher in people under the age of 45 years than people above it (P = 0.010, df = 36, t = 2.71). But about Foxa2 gene, no significantly results were seen.

Foxa1 gene expression in women’s stomach is higher than men’s; besides, the expression of this gene in the stomach is decreased by age.