The glutathione S-transferase T1 deletion is associated with susceptibility to multiple sclerosis.
BACKGROUND
Multiple sclerosis (MS) occurs as a result of interaction between genetic and environmental factors. Recent data support the view that oxidative damage is one of an early event in MS tissue injury. The safe elimination of reactive oxygen species and toxins via glutathione S-transferase (GST) pathways is required in order to protect cells against reactive oxygen-induced damage. The aim of our study was to analyze the possible association of GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene polymorphisms with the susceptibility and clinical parameters of MS, in 455 consecutive patients and 366 controls.


METHODS
A multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect the deletions in GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes.


RESULTS
Patients with MS had significantly higher frequency of GSTT1 null genotype compared to controls (37.36% vs. 21.86%, respectively, p<0.0001, adjusted OR 2.13 (1.56-2.90)), as well as double deletions (15.38% vs. 10.38%, respectively, p<0.05). The carriers of GSTM1 deletion had significantly earlier onset of MS compared to the wild-type carriers (28.31 ± 8.45 vs. 30.64 ± 9.30 years, respectively, p = 0.03).


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests the potential pathogenic role of GSTT1 deletion on MS susceptibility. There are no similar data published so far, yet this study should be replicated in other populations.
Laboratory for Radiobiology and Molecular Genetics, "Vinča" Institute of Nuclear Sciences, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia. Electronic address: majaz@vinca.rs.
Maja
M
Živković
Ivan
I
Životić
Evica
E
Dinčić
Ljiljana
L
Stojković
Slobodan
S
Vojinović
Aleksandra
A
Stanković
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D005838:Genotype; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D017384:Sequence Deletion
D005982:Glutathione Transferase; C413545:glutathione S-transferase T1
Antioxidant defense; Deletion; Gene polymorphism; Glutathione S-transferase M1; Glutathione S-transferase T1; Multiple sclerosis