The influence of genetic polymorphisms of GSTP1 on the development of asbestosis.
OBJECTIVE
Genetic factors play an important role in the development of asbestosis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether genetic polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferase (GST) P1 represent a risk factor for this disease.


METHODS
The study population included 262 workers with asbestosis and 265 matched controls. Information on cumulative asbestos exposure was available. A real-time PCR based on the 5' nuclease assay was designed for the analysis of GSTP1 Ile105Val and Ala114Val polymorphisms.


RESULTS
Asbestosis was associated with GSTP1 genotype coding for an enzyme with high conjugation capacity versus genotypes resulting in intermediate and low enzyme activity (odds ratio = 1.49, confidence interval = 1.06-2.10).


CONCLUSIONS
The key finding of the study was that GSTP1 genotype coding for an enzyme with high conjugation capacity significantly increases the risk of developing asbestosis.
Franko
Alenka
A
Clinical Institute of Occupational Medicine, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Poljanski nasip 58, Ljubljana, Slovenia. alenka.franko@siol.net
Dolzan
Vita
V
Arnerić
Niko
N
Dodic-Fikfak
Metoda
M
D001195:Asbestosis / Q000235:genetics*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D051549:Glutathione S-Transferase pi / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012307:Risk Factors
D051549:Glutathione S-Transferase pi