title: Effect of GSTM1-Polymorphism on Disease Progression and Oxidative Stress in HIV Infection: Modulation by HIV/HCV Co-Infection and Alcohol Consumption.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effects of GSTM1 null-allele polymorphism on oxidative stress and disease progression in HIV infected and HIV/hepatitis C (HCV) co-infected adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  HIV-infected and HIV/HCV co-infected participants aged 40-60 years old with CD4 cell count >350 cells/ µl, were recruited. GSTM1 genotype was determined by quantitative PCR. Oxidative stress (mitochondrial 8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine [8-oxo-dG], malondialdehyde [MDA], oxidized glutathione and Complexes I and IV), apoptosis and HIV disease (CD4 count and viral load) markers were measured. Gene copies were not quantified, thus the Hardy-Weinberg formula was not applicable.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 129 HIV-infected participants, 58 were HIV/HCV co-infected. GSTM1 occurred in 66% (62/94) in those of African descent, and 33% (11/33) of the Caucasians. Those with GSTM1 coding for the functional antioxidant enzyme Glutathione S-transferase (GST), had higher CD4 cell count (β=3.48, p=0.034), lower HIV viral load (β=-0.536, p=0.018), and lower mitochondrial 8-oxo-dG (β=-0.28, p=0.03). ART reduced oxidative stress in the participants with the GSTM1 coding for the functional antioxidant enzyme. HIV/HCV co-infected participants with the GSTM1 coding for the functional antioxidant enzyme also had lower HIV viral load, lower 8-oxo-dG and lower rate of apoptosis, but also higher oxidized glutathione. Alcohol consumption was associated with lower HIV viral load but higher oxidized glutathione in those with the GSTM1 genotype coding for the functional antioxidant enzyme.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The GSTM1 genotype coding for the functional antioxidant enzyme is associated with lower HIV disease severity, and with lower oxidative stress, compared to GSTM1 null-allele polymorphism. HCV co-infection and alcohol use may be associated with increased oxidative stress even in the presence of the GSTM1 coding for the functional antioxidant enzyme. The null-gene, on the contrary, appears to have a detrimental effect on immune function, viral load control, and antioxidant status, suggesting a potential benefit from antioxidants in HIV infected patients with the defective gene.
authors.affiliation: R. Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Parsons
authors.affiliation: R. Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Campa
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: Shenghan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: Yinghui
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: R. Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Janet Diaz
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.affiliation: Herbert Werheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Murillo
authors.affiliation: Herbert Werheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Greer
authors.affiliation: R. Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Sabrina Sales
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.affiliation: R. Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Marianna K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Baum
keywords: Alcohol consumption; GSTM-1 polymorphism; HIV disease progression; HIV/HCV co-infection; Oxidative stress