Purpose: To elucidate whether the gene polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferase (GST) M1, T1, and P1 are associated with the development of exudative age-related macular degeneration.
Methods: The authors genotyped 35 white patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration and 159 healthy controls. Genomic DNA from peripheral blood was examined using polymerase chain reaction and defined for the genetic polymorphisms of GST.
Results: No association was observed between GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 polymorphisms and age-related macular degeneration risk (p>0.05). The frequencies of the combination of the GSTM1 (null) and GSTP1 (mutant), GSTM1 (null), and GSTT1 (null) genotype polymorphisms in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration differed greatly from those of the control group (p=0.001 OR [95% CI]: 7.70 [2.28-25.98] and p=0.007 OR [95% CI]: 3.88 [1.51-10.02], respectively).
Conclusions: The present study suggests that the GSTM1 (null) and GSTT1 (null), GSTM1 (null), and GSTP1 (mutant) combinations may be a genetic risk factor for the development of exudative age-related macular degeneration. However, the potential role of GST polymorphisms as a marker of susceptibility to age-related macular degeneration needs further studies in a larger number of patients.