Glutathione S-transferase T1 (GSTT1) and M1 (GSTM1) genes polymorphism and risk of bronchial asthma in children

摘要

Oxidative stress is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of asthma. Glutathione S-transferase (GST) enzymes play an important role in the antioxidant defence mechanism and therefore may influence asthma risk. Polymorphism of GSTT1 and GSTM1 genes has been associated with asthma in children and adults, but results are inconsistent across studies. The aim of the present study was to examine the association of GSTT1 and GSTM1 gene genotypes and the risk of asthma among 44 stable asthmatic children in comparison to 30 healthy control subjects. Genotyping was performed using the multiplex PCR technique. GSTT1 null genotype was significantly associated with an increased risk of asthma by more than 9-fold. GSTM1 polymorphism did not appear to play a major role in the development of bronchial asthma in children. Neither was associated with patients' phenotype.