Erythrocyte glutathione transferase: a novel biomarker to check environmental pollution hazardous for humans.
Glutathione transferase (GST) is an enzyme capable of protecting the body from a lot of toxic compounds. Previous studies demonstrated that the erythrocyte GST (e-GST) expression increases as the level of circulating toxins increases. Aim of the present study is to verify if e-GST may represent a biomarker able to signalize an environmental pollution hazardous for humans. The study involved about 500 healthy volunteers living in eight distinct areas at or near the Sacco river valley, a region of the Frosinone district (Lazio-Italy) well known for its environmental pollution. Subjects of six areas displayed increased levels of e-GST ranging from 18% to 44% compared to 400 volunteers living in the Rome hinterland. Higher levels of GSTs are present in the areas where the risk of pollution is higher (areas 7 and 8). Interestingly, women living in the Sacco valley display much higher expression of e-GST than men, possibly due to a greater time exposition to the environmental contamination. Possible oxidative alteration of GST activity has not been observed. In conclusion, e-GST may represent an early and sensitive bio-signal of dangerous pollution for humans.
Department of Chemical Sciences and Technologies, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy.
Raffaele
R
Fabrini
Alessio
A
Bocedi
Erica
E
Del Grosso
Laura
L
Morici
Giorgio
G
Federici
Antonio
A
Palleschi
Giorgio
G
Ricci
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D004787:Environmental Pollution; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000201:enzymology*; D005260:Female; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D045483:Rivers; D012737:Sex Factors
D015415:Biomarkers; D015386:Hazardous Substances; D005982:Glutathione Transferase