title: Are polymorphisms in metabolism protective or a risk for reduced white blood cell counts in a Chinese population with low occupational benzene exposures?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Genetic variations in metabolic enzyme genes may enhance hematotoxicity in benzene-exposed populations.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the association between polymorphisms of metabolism genes and white blood cells (WBCs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Three hundred and eighty-five benzene-exposed workers and 220 unexposed indoor workers were recruited in China. We explored the relationship between metabolic enzymes polymorphisms [glutathione S-transferase T1/M1 (GSTT1/M1) null, glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1)rs1695, Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) rs3813867, rs2031920, rs6413432, microsomal epoxide hydrolase (mEH) rs1051740, rs2234922] by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis and WBC.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The exposed group had lower WBC counts (P<0·001) than the unexposed group. Increased susceptibility to hematotoxicity, as evidenced by lower WBC counts, was found in workers with null-GSTT1 (P = 0·045), null-GSTM1 (P = 0·030), rs2031920 (P = 0·020), and rs3813867 (P = 0·014) genotypes. White blood cell counts were also lower in workers with null-GSTT1 and null-GSTM after adjusting for age, gender, smoking, and alcohol consumption.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Null-GSTT1 and null-GSTM1 genotypes and Cytochrome P4502E1 (CYP2E1: rs2031920, rs3813867) may support the hematotoxicity of benzene-exposed workers in China, and we can make use of it to select susceptible population.
authors.forename: Ling-li
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.forename: Guang-hui
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Jing-wen
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Guo-qiao
authors.initials: GQ
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: De-ting
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Li-fang
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Xi-dan
authors.initials: XD
authors.lastname: Tao
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Yun-jie
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.forename: Pin
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Arthur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Frank
authors.forename: Zhao-lin
authors.initials: ZL
authors.lastname: Xia
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D044466:Asian People / Q000235:genetics; D001554:Benzene / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D019392:Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1 / Q000235:genetics; D004851:Epoxide Hydrolases / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D051549:Glutathione S-Transferase pi / Q000235:genetics; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D012306:Risk; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D001554:Benzene; D019392:Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1; D004851:Epoxide Hydrolases; D051549:Glutathione S-Transferase pi; D005982:Glutathione Transferase; C413545:glutathione S-transferase T1; C496556:GSTP1 protein, human
keywords: Benzene,; CYP2E1,; GSTs,; Genetic polymorphism,; White blood cell,; mEH