Nullity of GSTT1/GSTM1 related to pesticides is associated with Parkinson's disease

Arq Neuropsiquiatr. 2013 Aug;71(8):527-32. doi: 10.1590/0004-282X20130076.

Abstract

Genetic and environmental factors affect the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Genetic variants of the enzyme glutathione S-transferases (GST) may be related to the disease. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of genetic variants of GST (GSTT1/GSTM1) and their association with the exposure to environmental toxins in PD patients. We studied 254 patients with PD and 169 controls. The GSTM1/GSTT1 variants were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction. We applied the Fisher's exact test and the χ2 test for statistical analysis (p<0.05). The present and absence for GSTT1 and GSTM1 were similar in patients and controls. The null for GSTT1 and GSTM1 (0/0) and exposure to pesticides prevailed in patients (18%) compared to controls (13%, p=0.014). This study suggests the association between PD and previous exposure to pesticides, whose effect may be enhanced in combination with null for GSTT1/GSTM1.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Female
  • Gene-Environment Interaction
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Genotype
  • Glutathione Transferase / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Parkinson Disease / enzymology*
  • Parkinson Disease / genetics
  • Pesticides / toxicity*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Polymorphism, Genetic
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Pesticides
  • glutathione S-transferase T1
  • Glutathione Transferase
  • glutathione S-transferase M1