title: Distribution profile of paraoxonase phenotypes among the Gujaratis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Paraoxonase (PON1) can hydrolyze organophosphate pesticides (OP) and has a key role in the susceptibility of human in OP toxicity. The human-enzyme shows polymorphism and variations in the distribution profile of its phenotypes among different ethnic groups have been observed.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To see the distribution pattern of total PON1 activity in 45 healthy attendants of poisoning cases; 121 healthy unrelated farm-labours and 59 normal subjects of trauma.
  
  
  METHODS
  The PON1 activities from serum/plasma samples of these healthy normal individuals were estimated with/without addition of 1M NaCl in order to determine salt-stimulated and basal activity. The PON 1 phenotypes were determined on the basis of percent activation of enzyme activity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Tri-modal distribution of basal PON1 activity was observed among all these individuals. 52.0% of the individuals belonged to Phenotype A, 46.6% to phenotype AB while 1.4% to Phenotype B with gene frequency of allele-A and allele-B being 0.753 and 0.247 respectively in excellent agreement with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Maximum number of individuals belonged to phenotype-A (low PON1 activity) showing potential vulnerability towards Op-poisoning.
authors.affiliation: Poison Information Center, National Institute of Occupational Health (NIOH), Meghaninagar, Ahmedabad - 16, Gujarat, India.
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pal
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dewan