In utero smoke exposure and role of maternal and infant glutathione s-transferase genes on airway responsiveness and lung function in infancy.
BACKGROUND
Xenobiotics in the maternal circulation are capable of crossing the placental barrier so a reduction in the mother and fetus's detoxification ability due to genetic variation in the glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) could expose the fetus to higher levels of toxins.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the interactive effects of maternal smoking during pregnancy with maternal and infant GST genotypes on airway responsiveness (AR) and lung function in infancy.


METHODS
GSTT1, GSTP1 and GSTM1 were genotyped in infants and mothers, in utero smoke exposure was evaluated by questionnaire, AR was assessed by histamine challenge and Vmax(FRC) was measured using the rapid thoracoabdominal compression technique. We investigated the interactive effects of maternal smoking during pregnancy with maternal and infant GST genes on AR and lung function at 1, 6, and 12 months and longitudinally throughout the first year.


RESULTS
Infant and/or maternal GSTT1 nonnull was associated with reduced AR at 12 months and throughout the first year and increased Vmax(FRC) at 6 months. Maternal GSTP1 Val/Val or Ile/Val was associated with increased Vmax(FRC) at 6 months. In infants exposed to in utero smoke, infant and/or maternal GSTT1 nonnull was associated with reduced AR at 1 month and throughout the first year and increased Vmax(FRC) throughout the first year. Maternal GSTP1 Val/Val or Ile/Val was associated with increased Vmax(FRC) at 6 months.


CONCLUSIONS
GST genes may be especially important during fetal development as they may modify, through proficient detoxification, the effects of in utero maternal smoke exposure on AR and lung function in infants.
Murdzoska
Jasminka
J
University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia. jmurdzoska@meddent.uwa.edu.au
Devadason
Sunalene G
SG
Khoo
Siew-Kim
SK
Landau
Louis I
LI
Young
Sally
S
Goldblatt
Jack
J
Zhang
Guicheng
G
Le Souëf
Peter N
PN
Hayden
Catherine M
CM
D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D005260:Female; D005652:Functional Residual Capacity; D017353:Gene Deletion; D005838:Genotype; D051549:Glutathione S-Transferase pi / Q000235:genetics*; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution
D051549:Glutathione S-Transferase pi; D005982:Glutathione Transferase; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution; C413545:glutathione S-transferase T1; C496556:GSTP1 protein, human