Genetic Polymorphisms of Glutathione S-Transferase mu1 (GSTM1) and Theta1(GSTT1) and Bronchial Asthma Susceptibility in Ukrainian Population

Abstract

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease, which involves a variety of different mediators, including reactive oxygen species (ROS). Previous studies have suggested that glutathione S-transferase (GST) genotypes<br />may play a role in determining susceptibility to bronchial asthma (BA), though the data are often conflicting.<br />In this study we investigated GSTT1 and GSTM1 status in relation to BA in asthmatic patients in<br />Ukraine. To evaluate the role of GSTT1 and GSTM1 genotypes in susceptibility to BA, we conducted a<br />case-control study of 95 cases of asthmatic patients and 253 population-based controls in Kiev city,<br />Ukraine. All patients and control group were interviewed for information on lifestyle risk factors and DNA<br />extracted from blood samples was used for genotyping. GSTT1 and GSTM1 genotypes were identified by<br />multiplex polymerases chain reaction. The frequenciesfor the GSTT1 null genotypes were 26.31% and<br />14.12%, and for the GSTM1 null genotypes 41.50% and 50.59% among cases and controls, respectively.<br />The GSTT1 null genotype was associated with an increased Chi-square for BA (χ² =6.12, P=0.013), but<br />no relationship between BA and the GSTM1 null genotype was observed. Its possibility that genetic polymorphism in detoxifying enzymes may have a role in individuals susceptibility to BA.<br /><br />