Association between cataract and genetic polymorphisms of GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTO2 with respect of work place

PURPOSE: To investigate whether genetic polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferases (GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTO2) in relation to the work place contribute to the development of cataract. METHODS: The present case-control study consisted of 186 patients (108 females, 78 males) with cataract and 195 gender-matched healthy controls (111 females, 84 males) were randomly selected from unrelated volunteers in the same clinic. The GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTO2 genotypes were determined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based methods. RESULTS: The null genotype of GSTM1 increased the risk of cataract (OR=1.51, 95%CI: 1.01–2.26, p=0.045). The prevalence of GSTT1 and GSTO2 genotypes was similar between cases and controls. There was significant difference between cases and controls for work place (χ(2)=4.16, df=1, p=0.041). Genetic polymorphisms (GSTM1, GSTO2) and work place that were significant by p<0.3 in the univariate analysis were included in the analysis for investigating the additive effects of the genotypes and work place on risk of cataract. Statistical analysis showed that the risk of cataract increased as a function of number of putative high risk factors (χ(2)=8.001, p=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: This finding suggests that the polymorphisms of GSTM1 and GSTO2 and also work place may act additively for developing cataract.