Association between GSTT1, GSTM1 gene polymorphism and water-born endemic arsenism

ObjectiveTo assess the relationship between genetic polymorphism in GSTT1,GSTM1 and water-born endemic arsenism.MethodsGSTT1 and GSTM1 gene polymorphisms were analyzed with polymerase chain reaction (PCR)among 96 arsenism patients(case group),73 healthy individuals from endemic area(intra-control),and 89 healthy individuals from non-endemic area(extra-control).ResultsThe distributions of genotype frequencies of GSTT1 and GSTM1 were not statistically different(P>0.05).In case group,the combination of M1,T1‘null'genotype was significantly higher than that in extra-control(P<0.05).The combination of M1 and T1‘null'genotype could increase arsenism risk(odds ratioOR=1.733,95% confidence interval:1.093-2.748).ConclusionGSTT1 and GSTM1 gene may not be associated with water-born endemic arsenism.The combination of M1 and T1‘null'genotype may be associated with water-born endemic arsenism and the combination of M1 and T1‘null'genotype could increase the risk of arsenism.