Parkinson's disease, pesticides, and glutathione transferase polymorphisms.
BACKGROUND
Parkinson's disease is thought to be secondary to the presence of neurotoxins, and pesticides have been implicated as possible causative agents. Glutathione transferases (GST) metabolise xenobiotics, including pesticides. Therefore, we investigated the role of GST polymorphisms in the pathogenesis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease.


METHODS
We genotyped by PCR polymorphisms in four GST classes (GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTP1, and GSTZ1) in 95 Parkinson's disease patients and 95 controls. We asked all patients for information about pesticide exposure.


RESULTS
The distribution of the GSTP1 genotypes differed significantly between patients and controls who had been exposed to pesticides (controls vs patients: AA 14 [54%] of 26 vs seven [18%] of 39; AB 11 [42%] of 26 vs 22 [56%] of 39; BB 1 [4%] of 26 vs six [15%] of 39; AC 0 vs four [10%] of 39, p=0.009). No association was found with any of the other GST polymorphisms. Pesticide exposure and a positive family history were risk factors for Parkinson's disease.


CONCLUSIONS
GSTP1-1, which is expressed in the blood-brain barrier, may influence response to neurotoxins and explain the susceptibility of some people to the parkinsonism-inducing effects of pesticides.
Menegon
A
A
Department of Pharmacology, University of Sydney, Canberra Clinical School, The Canberra Hospital, Australia.
Board
P G
PG
Blackburn
A C
AC
Mellick
G D
GD
Le Couteur
D G
DG
D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier / Q000187:drug effects; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010302:Parkinson Disease, Secondary / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000235:genetics*; D010575:Pesticides / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D010575:Pesticides; D005982:Glutathione Transferase