Glutathione S-transferase, catalase, and mitochondrial superoxide dismutase gene polymorphisms modulate redox potential in systemic lupus erythematosus patients from Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil

Potential role of glutathione S‑transferase M1 gene polymorphism in kidney calcium oxalate stone formation

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to look into the effects of glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) gene polymorphism on the formation of kidney calcium oxalate stones.

METHODS

A total of 159 patients with kidney calcium oxalate stones were included in this study as a case group. One hundred and three healthy individuals were included in the control group. The age, gender, and levels of calcium (Ca), uric acid (UA), creatinine (Cr), and urinary creatinine (Ucr) are tracked. Peripheral blood samples are used to perform a polymerase chain reaction to identify the glutathione S-transferase (GST) gene polymorphism (PCR). A commercial kit was used in this study to measure the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in peripheral blood.

RESULTS

There was no difference in age or gender distribution between the case and control groups (P > 0.05). The Cr, Ucr, Ca, UA, 8-OHdG, MDA, NO, and T-AOC in the case group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.001). The Hardy-Weinberg genetic equilibrium test showed no difference between the case group (P = 0.23) and the control group (P = 0.09). In the case group, the 8-OHdG and NO in GSTM1 null genotype were significantly higher than those in GSTM1 genotype (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in MDA and T-AOC (P > 0.05). Multivariate regression analysis showed that the GSTM1 null genotype was positively correlated with 8-OHdG (P < 0.001) and NO (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

GSTM1 gene polymorphism might be a detecting risk factor for kidney calcium oxalate stone formation.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ChiCTR2100051300.

The Potential of Nrf2 Activation as a Therapeutic Target in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Inflammation and oxidative stress are well established in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and are critical to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. The transcription factor NF-E2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a central regulator of cellular anti-oxidative responses, inflammation, and restoration of redox balance. Accumulating reports support an emerging role for the regulation of Nrf2 in SLE. These include findings on the development of lupus-like autoimmune nephritis and altered immune cell populations in mice lacking Nrf2, as well as decreased Nrf2 abundance in the dendritic cells of patients with SLE. Nrf2-inducing agents have been shown to alleviate oxidative and inflammatory stress and reduce tissue injury in SLE mouse models. Since Nrf2 expression can be increased in activated T cells, the precise role of Nrf2 activation in different immune cell types and their function remains to be defined. However, targeting Nrf2 for the treatment of diseases associated with oxidative stress and inflammation, such as SLE, is promising. As investigation of Nrf2-inducing agents in clinical trials grows, defining the signaling and molecular mechanisms of action and downstream effects in response to different Nrf2-inducing agents in specific cells, tissues, and diseases, will be critical for effective clinical use.