Glutathione S-transferases polymorphisms confer susceptibility to senile cortical cataract in the Han Chinese population

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to examine whether glutathione S-transferase (GST) polymorphisms were associated with a susceptibility to age-related cortical cataract (cortical ARC) in the Han Chinese population. METHODS Glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) and glutathione S-transferase T1 (GSTT1) gene polymorphisms were genotyped in 422 Han Chinese patients with age-related cortical cataract, and in 312 age, sex, and ethnically matched healthy controls, using a multiplex polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS The results showed that the GSTM1 positive genotype had an increased risk of developing cortical ARC (p=0.0002, odds ratio [OR] 1.74, 95% CI 1.30 to 2.34). There was a statistically significant association between the GSTM1 positive genotype and the risk of cataract development in both female and male groups (p=0.026, OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.05 to 2.36; p=0. 002, OR 1.97, 95% CI 1.27 to 3.04, respectively). A combination of GSTM1 positive and GSTT1 null genotypes was associated with the risk of developing age-related cortical cataract (p=0.002, OR 2.19, 95% CI 1.33 to 3.60). The results revealed that the GSTM1 positive genotype was significantly higher in the smoker patients group as compared to the non-smoker patients group (p=0. 016, OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.09 to 2.39). Logistic regression analysis revealed that smoking may be a risk factor for the development of ARC (r=0.120, p=0.013). CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests that the GSTM1 positive genotype and a combination of GSTM1 positive and GSTT1 null genotypes may be associated with a susceptibility to age-related cortical cataract in the Han Chinese population. The current study indicates that smoking may be an important factor in the development of cortical ARC.