Genetic Variations of Glutathione S-Transferase Influence on Blood Cadmium Concentration

Abstract

The glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are involved in biotransformation and detoxification of cadmium (Cd). Genetic polymorphisms in these genes may lead to interindividual variation in Cd susceptibility. The objective of this study was to assess the association ofGSTs (GSTT1, GSTM1, andGSTP1Val105Ile) polymorphisms with blood Cd concentrations in a nonoccupationally exposed population. The 370 blood samples were analyzed for Cd concentration and polymorphisms in GSTs genes. Geometric mean of blood Cd among this population was0.46±0.02 μg/L (with 95% CI; 0.43–0.49 μg/L). Blood Cd concentrations in subjects carryingGSTP1Val/Val genotype were significantly higher than those with Ile/Ile and Ile/Val genotypes. No significant differences in blood Cd concentrations among individual with gene deletions ofGSTT1andGSTM1were observed.GSTP1/GSTT1andGSTP1/GSTM1combinations showed significantly associated with increase in blood Cd levels. This study indicated that polymorphisms ofGSTP1combined withGSTT1and/orGSTM1deletion are likely to influence on individual susceptibility to cadmium toxicity.