title: The association between glutathione S-transferase P1, M1 polymorphisms and asthma in Taiwanese schoolchildren.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Genetic polymorphisms in the glutathione S-transferase P1 gene (GSTP1) and the glutathione S-transferase M1 gene (GSTM1) have been implicated as risk factors for asthma. However, their roles in asthma pathogenesis and the interaction between these two genes have not been extensively investigated. This study, therefore, examined the relationship among GSTP1 and GSTM1 genotypes and childhood asthma, and evaluated their gene-gene interactions.
  
  
  METHODS
  The population from three southern Taiwan communities of a 2001 national survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred sixty-six fourth-grade to ninth-grade schoolchildren were recruited for oral mucosa samplings based on questionnaire information. Polymerase chain reaction-based assays were performed to determine GSTP1 and GSTM1 genotypes among asthmatic subjects and nonasthmatic control subjects. Multiple logistic regression was used to adjust for potential confounding factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All of the participants were homozygous at the GSTP1 Ala-114 locus. After controlling for age, sex, and atopic eczema, compared with participants carrying any Val-105 allele, children who were homozygotic for GSTP1 Ile-105 had a significantly increased risk of physician-diagnosed asthma (adjusted odds ratio [adjOR], 1.94; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08 to 3.59). A positive risk for childhood asthma was also noted on the GSTM1 null genotype but did not reach statistical significance (adjOR, 1.37; 95% CI, 0.80 to 2.38). Among children with GSTM1 present genotypes, GSTP1-105 polymorphisms were associated with the increased risk of asthma. However, the reduced and statistically insignificant asthma risk was observed among those with GSTM1 null genotype.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We concluded that GSTP1-105 was a predictor for childhood asthma, whereas GSTM1 polymorphism might modify the risk. Our study also suggested a competitive effect for homozygous GSTP1 Ile-105 and GSTM1 null genotypes on childhood asthma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Medical College, 138 Sheng-Li Rd, Tainan 704, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yung-Ling
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Tzuen-Ren
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Hsiue
authors.forename: Yeu-Chin
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Ying-Chu
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Yueliang Leon
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Guo
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000235:genetics*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012307:Risk Factors; D013624:Taiwan
chemical_list: D005982:Glutathione Transferase