Combined glutathione S transferase M1/T1 null genotypes is associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND Due to new genetic insights, a considerably large number of genes and polymorphic gene variants are screened and linked with the complex pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes (DM). Our study aimed to investigate the association between the two isoforms of the glutathione S-transferase genes (Glutathione S transferase isoemzyme type M1- GSTM1 and Glutathione S transferase isoemzyme type T1-GSTT1) and the prevalence of DM in the Northern Romanian population. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional, randomized, case-control study evaluating the frequency of GSTM1 and GSTT1 null alleles in patients diagnosed with DM. A total of 106 patients diagnosed with DM and 124 healthy controls were included in the study. GSTM1 and GSTT1 null alleles genotyping was carried out using Multiplex PCR amplification of relevant gene fragments, followed by gel electrophoresis analysis of the resulting amplicons. RESULTS Molecular analysis did not reveal an increased frequency of the null GSTM1 and GSTT1 alleles (mutant genotypes) respectively in the DM group compared to controls (p=0.171, OR=1.444 CI=0.852-2.447; p=0.647, OR=0.854, CI=0.436-1.673). Nevertheless, the combined GSTM1/GSTT1 null genotypes were statistically significantly higher in DM patients compared to control subjects (p=0.0021, OR=0.313, CI=0.149-0.655). CONCLUSIONS The main finding of our study is that the combined, double GSTM1/GSTT1 null genotypes are to be considered among the polymorphic genetic risk factors for type 2 DM.