Association of glutathione-S-transferase polymorphisms with atopic dermatitis risk in preschool age children.
BACKGROUND
Glutathione S-transferase (GST) enzymes are critical for detoxifying reactive oxygen species (ROS) and their products which have been implicated in the pathology of inflammatory diseases such as atopic dermatitis (AD).


METHODS
We investigated the effects of genetic polymorphisms of GST on the risk of AD in preschool age children. Biomarkers for oxidative stress were also evaluated with respect to GST genotype.


RESULTS
The GSTP1 Val105 allele was significantly associated with an increased risk of AD [odds ratio (OR)=1.62, p<0.05]. The combination of the GSTP1 Val105 allele and the GSTT1 null genotype further increased this risk by 2.3-fold (p<0.01). No association was observed for the GSTM1 null or GSTT1 null genotype alone. In children with AD, blood total antioxidant capacity was significantly less (p<0.001), while malondialdehyde was higher (p=0.12). Children with the GSTP1 Val105 allele had significantly lower concentrations of erythrocyte glutathione compared to GSTP1 ILE/ILE homozygotes (P=0.03).


CONCLUSIONS
Our study suggests that the GSTP1 Val105 allele is an important determinant of susceptibility to AD in preschool age children and increased oxidative stress may play a role in the pathogenesis of AD.
Department of Food and Nutrition and Research Institute of Science for Human Life, College of Human Ecology, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea. jchung@khu.ac.kr
Jayong
J
Chung
Se-Young
SY
Oh
You-Kyung
YK
Shin
D000483:Alleles; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism
D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D005982:Glutathione Transferase