Association Between p16, hMLH1 and E-cadherin Promoter Hypermethylation and Intake of Local Hot Salted Tea and Sun-dried Foods in Kashmiris with Gastric Tumors

The aim of this study was to evaluate the methylation status of three important cancer related genes viz.p16, E-cadherin and hMLH1 promoters and to associate the findings with specific dietary habits in Kashmiris, aculturally distinct population in India, with gastric cancer. The study subjects were divided into three age groupsviz. 0-30yrs (1st), 31-60yrs (2nd) and 61-90yrs (3rd). A highly significant association between the intake of local hotsalted tea in 2nd (p=0.001) and 3rd (p=0.009) age groups was observed with the promoter hypermethylation of Ecadherin. Again a highly significant association between the aberrant methylation of hMLH1 (p=0.000) and p16(p=0.000) promoters and the intake of local hot salted tea was observed in the 2nd age group of gastric cancerpatients. The intake of sun-dried food was also significantly associated with the promoter hypermethylation ofE cadherin (p=0.003) and p16 (p=0.015) genes in 3rd age group. The results of the present study suggest a closeassociation between the aberrant methylation of p16, E-cadherin and hMLH1 promoters and the intake of localhot salted tea and sun-dried foods in Kashmiri population.