Genetic polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferase mu1 (GSTM1) and theta1(GSTT1) and bronchial sthmasusceptibility in Ukrainian population

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 may play a role in determining susceptibility to bronchial asthma (BA), though the data are often conflicting. In this study we investigated GSTT1 and GSTM1 status in relation to BA in asthmatic patients in Ukraine. To evaluate the role of GSTT1 and GSTM1 genotypes in susceptibility to BA, we conducted a case-control study of 95 cases of asthmatic patients and 253 population-based controls in Kiev city, Ukraine. All patients and control group were interviewed for information on lifestyle risk factors and DNA extracted from blood samples was used for genotyping. GSTT1 and GSTM1 genotypes were identified by multiplex polymerases chain reaction. The frequencies for the GSTT1 null genotypes were 26.31% and 14.12%, and for the GSTM1 null genotypes 41.50% and 50.59% among cases and controls, respectively. The GSTT1 null genotype was associated with an increased Chi-square for BA (c =6.12, P=0.013), but 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.