Polymorphisms of microsomal epoxide hydrolase and glutathione S-transferase P1 in a male Turkish population

Missense Genetic Polymorphisms of Microsomal (EPHX1) and Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase (EPHX2) and Their Relation to the Risk of Large Artery Atherosclerotic Ischemic Stroke in a Turkish Population

PURPOSE

Soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) and microsomal epoxide hydrolase (mEH) both catalyze the metabolism of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), lipid signaling molecules that are protective against ischemic brain injury owing to their participation in the regulation of vascular tone and cerebral blood flow. In addition, mEH metabolizes polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, one of the causative factors of atherosclerotic lesion development. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association of enzyme activity-modifying missense single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the sEH gene (EPHX2) and mEH gene (EPHX1) and ischemic stroke risk in a Turkish population.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Genomic DNA of patients with large artery atherosclerotic ischemic stroke (n=237) and controls (n=120) was isolated from blood samples, and genotypes for Tyr113His (rs1051740) and His139Arg (rs2234922) SNPs of EPHX1 and Arg287Gln (rs751141) SNP of EPHX2 were attained by the PCR/RFLP method.

RESULTS

Minor allele frequency and genotype distributions for Arg287Gln, Tyr113His and His139Arg SNPs did not differ significantly between stroke patients and controls. However, hypertension- and diabetes-associated ischemic stroke risk was decreased by EPHX1 and increased by EPHX2 variants in stratification analyses.

CONCLUSION

This study has shown for the first time that the polymorphic alleles of EPHX1 were unlikely to be associated with large artery atherosclerotic ischemic stroke susceptibility; however, protective effects were evident within subgroups of hypertension and diabetes. In addition, EPHX2 Arg287Gln polymorphism, which has been studied for the first time in a Turkish population, was not significantly related to ischemic stroke, but increased the stroke risk in subgroup analysis.

Polymorphisms in the Microsomal Epoxide Hydrolase Gene: Role in Lung Cancer Susceptibility and Prognosis

Aims and background

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between EPHXI exon 3 Tyr113His and exon 4 His139Arg polymorphisms, predicted microsomal epoxide hydrolase (mEH) activity, and lung cancer development. mEH is a protective enzyme involved in oxidative defences against a number of environmental chemicals and pollutants, but it is also responsible for the xenobiotic activation of carcinogens.

Methods

We investigated the two polymorphisms of the mEH gene (EPHX1) in 58 lung cancer patients and 41 controls using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).

Results

The exon 3 Tyr113His polymorphism was associated with lung cancer (P <0.001). The frequency of the His113His homozygote genotype in exon 3 was significantly increased in patients compared with controls (P <0.001). In contrast, there was no significant difference in exon 4 polymorphisms between patients and controls. When the exon 3 and 4 polymorphisms were considered together, the combined EPHX1 His113His113/His139His139 genotype (very low predicted enzyme activity) was found to be associated with an increased risk of lung cancer (P = 0.044, OR = 3.063, CI = 0.932–10.069). We observed that patients with T3 + T4 tumors had an approximately 3-fold higher risk of the Tyr113/His113 genotype than patients with T1 + T2 tumors. Lung cancer patients carrying aheterozygote Tyr113/His113 genotype had a 2-fold increased risk of lymph node metastases (P = 0.051).

Conclusion

These findings suggest that the exon 3 Tyr113His and exon 4 His139Arg polymorphisms of EPHXI may be associated with a increased risk of lung cancer and a worse prognosis. Free full text available at www.tumorionline.it

Genetic polymorphisms in GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 genes and risk of lung cancer in a North Indian population

BACKGROUND

A number of studies done so far in different populations have shown that polymorphisms within the GST genes play an important role in determining individual susceptibility to lung cancer; however, data obtained so far have been contradictory within the same or different populations. Few studies have focused on the combinatorial effect of the GST genes on susceptibility to lung cancer and also for different histological subtypes. Our aim is to investigate the roles of GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 polymorphisms as genetic modifiers of risk for lung cancer and histological subtypes using a larger sample size in a North Indian population.

METHODS

In total 540 subjects (270 lung cancer cases and 270 controls) were evaluated for the GST polymorphism. Genotyping for the GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 gene was done by using a multiplex PCR and PCR-RFLP method.

RESULTS

GSTM1 null genotype was found to be associated with lung cancer (OR=1.65, 95%CI: 116-2.3, P=0.005) and this risk was higher in cases of adenocarcinoma (ADCC). GSTT1 and GSTP1 did not show any significant association with lung cancer; however, when stratified for histological subtypes a significant association was observed for ADCC and small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) for both GSTT1 null and variant GSTP1 genotypes. The combined 'at risk' genotypes of null GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes were found to be associated with lung cancer risk, and this risk was higher in cases of ADCC (OR=4.09, 95%CI: 110-10.2, P=0.002). There is a twofold increased risk for lung cancer with the null GSTM1 and wild-type GSTP1 genotypes (P=0.0004); similarly, a fourfold increased risk was observed with the null GSTT1 and wild-type GSTP1 genotypes (P=0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

The deficient GST genotypes seem thus to be important risk modifiers for lung cancer and related histological subtypes, especially in combination.

Genetic polymorphisms of CYP2E1, GST, and NAT2 enzymes are not associated with risk of breast cancer in a sample of Lebanese women

Changes in the activity of drug metabolizing enzymes (DMEs) are potentially associated with cancer risk. This relationship is attributed to their involvement in the bioactivation of multiple procarcinogens or the metabolism of multiple substrates including an array of xenobiotics and environmental carcinogens. 326 Lebanese women of whom 99 were cancer free (controls) and 227 were diagnosed with breast cancer (cases) were included. Blood for DNA was collected and medical charts were reviewed. Three genotyping methods were employed including: (1) restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) for CYP2E1*5B, CYP2E1*6, NAT2*5 and NAT2*6; (2) gel electrophoresis for GSTM1 and GSTT1; and (3) real-time PCR for GSTP1 Ile/Val polymorphism. We analyzed the relationship between genetic susceptibilities in selected xenobiotic metabolizing genes and breast cancer risk. Allele frequencies were fairly similar to previously reported values from neighboring populations with relevant migration routes. There were no statistically significant differences in the distribution of variant carcinogen metabolizing genes between cases and controls even after adjusting for age at diagnosis, menopausal status, smoking, and alcohol intake. Despite its limitations, this is the first study that assesses the role of genetic polymorphisms in DMEs with breast cancer in a sample of Lebanese women. Further studies are needed to determine the genetic predisposition and gene-environment interactions of breast cancer in this population.

Assessment of individual susceptibility to baseline DNA and cytogenetic damage in a healthy Turkish population: evaluation with lifestyle factors

BACKGROUND

Cytogenetic biomarkers are most frequently used well-established endpoints in human population studies with their sensitivity for measuring exposure to genotoxic agents. They have an important role as early predictors of cancer risk. Identification of individual genotypes of metabolic gene polymorphisms helps to understand the modulation of cancer susceptibility by environmental exposures, such as cigarette smoking and other lifestyle factors.

AIM

To evaluate individual susceptibility to chemicals, we determined individual DNA damage related to glutathione S-transferase (GST) genotypes (GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1) in a Turkish population.

METHODS

Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and DNA samples of 127 subjects were analyzed for the presence of DNA damage, using single-cell gel electrophoresis (the Comet assay), and for cytogenetic parameters (chromosomal aberrations [CAs], bleomycin-induced CA, and a cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus assay), and the polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism method, respectively.

RESULTS

Individuals carrying a GSTT1-null allele showed higher frequencies of CA and micronucleus (MN) (p=0.026, p=0.003, respectively), whereas the GSTM1-null and GSTP1 mutant genotypes did not show any differences in cytogenetic parameters. Our findings demonstrated that none of the lifestyle factors (smoking, alcohol drinking, dietary habits, vitamin intake, and physical activity), except for vitamin intake (p=0.002), were significantly associated with the studied cytogenetic parameters.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that the GSTT1 gene polymorphism may influence the baseline cytogenetic frequency in a healthy population.

Evaluation of glutathione S-transferase P1 polymorphisms (Ile105Val and Ala114Val) in patients with small cell lung cancer

AIMS

Glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) plays an important role in cellular protection against oxidative stress and toxic chemicals. Polymorphisms within GSTP1 are associated with alterations in enzyme activity, which may lead to development of lung disease and cancer. In this study, we aimed to investigate the GSTP1 Ile105Val and Ala114Val polymorphisms in patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

PATIENTS/METHODS

GSTP1 Ile105Val polymorphism in exon 5 and GSTP1 Ala114Val polymorphism in exon 6 were determined by using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism techniques in 89 patients with SCLC and 108 control patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Genotype frequencies and cigarette smoking intensities were compared among SCLC and COPD patients.

RESULTS

There were significantly less SCLC patients with variant exon 6 genotypes than COPD patients (7.9% vs. 20.4%, p=0.007), while the number of patients with variant exon 5 genotypes were comparable among groups. SCLC and COPD patients with variant exon 6 genotype showed trends toward exhibiting reduced cigarette consumption.

CONCLUSIONS

The variant GSTP1 exon 6 genotype might be conferring protection against SCLC development. Whether this effect is associated with exposure to cigarette smoking needs to be clarified.

EPHX1 gene polymorphisms in alcohol dependence and their distribution among the Indian populations

BACKGROUND

The microsomal epoxide hydrolase is a phase II enzyme of the biotransformation. The human epoxide hydrolase 1 (EPHX1) gene lies in the chromosomal region 1q42.1 and exhibits polymorphism. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been described in the coding region of the EPHX1 gene that produces two protein variants.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A total of 604 samples belonging to 13 Indian populations were included in this study. Based on the DSM-IV criteria, 184 individuals from Kota population were classified into alcoholism cases (100) and controls (84). Genotypes of Tyr113His and His139Arg polymorphisms in the EPHX1 gene were determined using PCR and sequencing. Associations were tested using Pearson's χ(2) test and haplotype analyses.

RESULTS

We found significant association between EPHX1 gene Tyr113His polymorphism and alcoholism in the Kota population (T vs. C: OR = .615, 95% CI = .399-.949, p = .027; TT vs. CC + CT: OR = .536, 95% CI = .297-.969, p = .038). The very slow activity haplotype CA (113His-139His) was also found to be associated with alcohol dependence (p = .048). Analysis of additional populations demonstrated that the Tyr113His polymorphism significantly deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in four populations but only one population deviated for the His139Arg locus. All populations shared the four possible two-site haplotypes. Linkage disequilibrium between these two loci was not significant in any of the population studied.

CONCLUSION

EPHX1 gene polymorphisms and haplotypes are associated with an increased risk for alcoholism in the Kota population. This is the first report from India that will serve as a template for future investigations of the prevalence of EPHX1 alleles in association with various clinical entities.

Association between GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 polymorphisms and lung cancer risk in a Turkish population

Several studies focused on investigating genetic polymorphisms in order to estimate genetic contribution to lung cancer often showed conflicting results. In this study, we investigated the role of GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTP1 exon 5 and exon 6 polymorphisms on developing lung cancer and histological subtypes in 213 lung cancer patients and 231 controls. GSTM1 null, GSTT1 null, and GSTP1 exon 5 variant genotypes did not show a significant risk for developing lung cancer overall. Significant association was noted between GSTP1 exon 6 variant genotypes and overall lung cancer risk (OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.25-3.78; P = 0.006). These results show that GSTP1 exon 6 polymorphism might be an important factor in determining lung cancer susceptibility in a Turkish population.

Genetic polymorphism in metabolism and host defense enzymes: implications for human health risk assessment

Genetic polymorphisms in xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes can have profound influence on enzyme function, with implications for chemical clearance and internal dose. The effects of polymorphisms have been evaluated for certain therapeutic drugs but there has been relatively little investigation with environmental toxicants. Polymorphisms can also affect the function of host defense mechanisms and thus modify the pharmacodynamic response. This review and analysis explores the feasibility of using polymorphism data in human health risk assessment for four enzymes, two involved in conjugation (uridine diphosphoglucuronosyltransferases [UGTs], sulfotransferases [SULTs]), and two involved in detoxification (microsomal epoxide hydrolase [EPHX1], NADPH quinone oxidoreductase I [NQO1]). This set of evaluations complements our previous analyses with oxidative and conjugating enzymes. Of the numerous UGT and SULT enzymes, the greatest likelihood for polymorphism effect on conjugation function are for SULT1A1 (*2 polymorphism), UGT1A1 (*6, *7, *28 polymorphisms), UGT1A7 (*3 polymorphism), UGT2B15 (*2 polymorphism), and UGT2B17 (null polymorphism). The null polymorphism in NQO1 has the potential to impair host defense. These highlighted polymorphisms are of sufficient frequency to be prioritized for consideration in chemical risk assessments. In contrast, SNPs in EPHX1 are not sufficiently influential or defined for inclusion in risk models. The current analysis is an important first step in bringing the highlighted polymorphisms into a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling framework.