The relationship between NQO1 C609T and CAT C-262T genetic polymorphisms and the risk of age-related cataracts

Cataract is multi-factorial eye disease identified by the disturbance of the transparent ocular lens. There is significant evidence suggesting oxidative damage as a major cause of initiation and progression of numerous diseases including cataracts. NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1; OMIM: 125860) and catalase (CAT, OMIM: 115500) are antioxidant enzymes that prevent cells from oxidative stress. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between NQO1 C609T (Pro189Ser, rs1800566) and CAT promoter C-262T (rs1001179) genetic polymorphisms and the susceptibility to cataracts. A case-control study including 190 cataracts cases and 190 healthy subjects was carried out. Genotype distributions of NQO1 and CAT polymorphisms were examined using polymerase chain reactions and a restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) approach to investigate the possible role of these polymorphisms as risk factors in the development of cataracts. Variant CT heterozygous and TT genotypes of the NQO1 C609T polymorphism were found to be associated with an increased risk of cataracts (CT vs CC, OR=1.61, 95%CI: 1.02-2.52, P=0.038), (CT/TT vs CC, OR=1.56, 95%CI: 1.02-2.4, P=0.040). In addition, compared to indoor work places and the CC genotype of NQO1, outdoor work places and CT/TT genotypes of NQO1 were found to increase the risk of age-related cataracts (OR=2.75, 95%CI: 1.20-6.33, P=0.017). The analysis did not reveal, however, any statistically significant (P>0.05) difference between CAT C-262T polymorphism and the risk of cataracts.