Mol Biol Rep. 2025 Nov 20;53(1):105. doi: 10.1007/s11033-025-11272-x.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Occupational asthma (OA), particularly diisocyanate-induced asthma (DA), is a common work-related respiratory condition. Genetic variations in antioxidant enzyme genes, such as glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), may influence susceptibility to OA. This study investigates associations between polymorphisms in GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 (rs1695, rs1138272) and DA risk in an Iraqi Arab male population.
METHODS: A total of 235 male workers exposed to diisocyanates were enrolled: 125 with DA and 110 exposed but asymptomatic controls. Genotyping was performed using multiplex-PCR and RFLP-PCR. Associations were analyzed under various genetic models, including combined genotypes.
RESULTS: No statistically significant associations were found between individual GSTP1 SNPs and overall DA risk. Combined analysis of variant alleles at both GSTP1 SNPs (rs1695 and rs1138272) suggested a nominal association with increased DA risk (OR = 2.05; 95% CI: 1.02-4.12; p = 0.04; adj. p = 0.24). Carriers of the GSTP1 rs1695 variant combined with the GSTT1-null genotype also showed a nominally increased risk (OR = 2.88; p = 0.04; adj. p = 0.12). Stratification by disease severity indicated that GSTM1-null and GSTT1-null genotypes were approximately twofold more frequent among patients with severe DA compared to controls (OR = 2.20; 95% CI:1.01-4.82; p = 0.04 and OR = 2.22; 95% CI: 1.06-4.67; p = 0.03, respectively).
CONCLUSION: While individual GST polymorphisms were not significantly associated with DA, certain combined genotypes, particularly those involving GSTP1 and GSTT1, showed nominal associations, and GSTM1-null and GSTT1-null genotypes may contribute to severe DA. This is the first study to assess these associations in an Arab population, providing valuable preliminary data for future occupational asthma research.
PMID:41264046 | DOI:10.1007/s11033-025-11272-x
