Objective: To find out whether the serum PCB level depends on genetic polymorphism in the area of GSTs genes.
Material and methods: In the group of 147 men (112 with an average age of 59.1 ± 10.1 and serum PCB level > 1,000 ng/ g lipid - PCB1, and 35 with an average age of 56.2 ± 12.9 and serum PCB level < 700 ng/ g lipid - PCB2), the PCR RLFP analysis of DNA was used to determine the genetic polymorphism in the area of GSTs genes.
Results: As regards PCB, an association was found between serum PCB concentrations and the null genotype of GSTT1 gene. Men above the median PCB levels displayed, with significantly greater frequency, the null genotype GSTT1 compared to men below the median PCB levels, both in the PCB1 set and in the PCB2 set. In the PCB1 set, the presence of the null genotype GSTT1 increased the risk of high PCB levels 11- fold, in the PCB2 set 4- fold (p < 0.001). In the PCB2 set, an association was also discovered between GSTP1 Val/ Val genotype and higher PCB levels. The risk of high PCB levels in the individuals with the Val/ Val genotype was 5- fold higher than in the carriers of the Ile allele (p < 0.001). In neither set was the GSTM1 genotype associated with serum PCB concentrations.
Conclusion: The association between high PCB levels and the GSTT1 null and GSTP1 Val/ Val suggests that harmful effects depend not only on the intake amounts of PCB but also on the ability of the organism to detoxify these substances. Individuals living in the same environment are therefore at different risks of developing a disease when exposed to PCB. Polymorphism in the area of GSTTl gene (GSTT1 null) could be a potential genetic risk marker.