GSTM1/GSTT1 Gene Polymorphism in North Indian Population and their Association to Hypertension

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Hypertension has multifactorial background and is a life style related disorder. Arterial hypertension is one of the most common types of hypertension and associated to oxidative stress known to be implicated in its pathogenesis. Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are phase II detoxification enzymes that play an important role in cellular defense against oxidative. GSTT1 and GSTM1 gene polymorphisms are reported to be associated with arterial hypertension in several populations and ethnic groups. GSTM1and GSTT1null genotype results in the impaired enzyme activity and consequently greater vulnerability towards various diseases such as cancer. The present study has been done to assess whether GSTT1 and GSTM1 null genotypes are associated with arterial hypertension among North Indian population. We have enrolled 99 arterial hypertension patients and 99 age and sex matched control individuals. Genotyping of GSTM1 and GSTT1 was done by multiplex PCR. We found that GSTM1 null genotype may have risk for hypertension (OR 1.75, CI 0.93-3.2), while for GSTT1 null genotypes shows protection toward hypertension (OR 0.254, CI-0.113-0.57). GSTM1 null genotypes serve as potential genetic factor and may be an independent risk factor for development of hypertension whereas GSTT1 null may have role in protection against hypertension in North Indian populations.