Abstract

Stroke is a multifactorial disease caused by the interaction of several genetic and environmental factors and a variety of risk factors such as blood pressure, diabetes, advanced age and smoking. Active cigarette smoking has been established as a major risk factor for coronary heart disease and for both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke and the risk is particularly elevated in younger people. Glutathione S- transferases (GSTs) are the phase II enzymes that catalyze the conjugation of glutathione to a wide range of electrophiles and represent a protective mechanism against oxidative stress. So far no information has been provided regarding the role of GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene polymorphisms and ischemic stroke in Indian populations. So the present study is carried out to investigate the association between the GST M1 and T1 gene polymorphisms and the risk of stroke in a South Indian population. We genotyped 198 ischemic stroke patients and 162 age matched controls using multiplex polymerase chain reaction. Statistical analysis showed that the frequency of both wild and null genotypes of GSTM1 (OR = 0.91, p = 0.68) and GSTT1 (OR = 0.60, P = 0.077) did not differ significantly between control and stroke patients. Further analysis of GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotypes among male smokers and non smokers category of stroke patients and control subjects showed a protective role of GSTM1 wild type (OR = 0.44, p = 0.007) and GSTT1 wild type (OR = 0.36, p = 0.01) in smokers.

Key words: Glutathione S- transferase, ischemic stroke, gene polymorphism, South Indian population.