Lack of association between the glutathione-s-transferase genes (GSTT1 and GSTM1) and nasal polyposis

Objectives: To evaluate the glutation-S-transferase (GST) polymorphisms (GSTM1 and GSTT1) in nasal polyposis (NP). Methods: The study populatio n consisted of 102 unrelated healthy individuals and 98 patients with NP (67 without asthma, 31 with asthma). Genotyping of the polymorphism in the GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes was performed using the multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method. Results: GSTM1 and GSTT1 null-genotypes werefound in 46.1% and 23.5% of the controls, and in 43.9% and 33.7% of the NP patients, respectively. These differences were not significant (for GSTM1 null odds ratio (OR) = 0.92; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.52-1.6 and for GSTT1, OR = 1.65, 95% CI = 0.89-3.07). Although no significant difference for combined GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes between control (8.8%) and NP patients (17.3%) was found, there was a 2.16-fold increased proportion in the NP with the combined GSTM1-null and GSTT1-null genotype (OR = 2.16, 95% CI = 0.91-5.13). Conclusion: These results suggest that there is lack of a ssociation between GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms and NP. The GSTM1 or GSTT1 polymorphisms had also no relevant developing effect on NP patients without or with asthma.