The role and frequency of glutathione s-transferase P1 polymorphism in Iranian patients affected with reflux esophagitis.

SUMMARY Reflux esophagitis is a common complication of the gastroesophageal reflux disease. Glutathione s-transferases (GSTs) have important role in the protection of cells from the products of oxidative stress. GSTP1*B allele has a correlation with susceptibility to several diseases. In this case-control study, the role and frequency of GSTP1 polymorphism was evaluated in Iranian patients with erosive reflux esophagitis. Seventy patients with erosive reflux esophagitis and 75 normal individuals were enrolled in this study. The grade of esophagitis was determined via endoscopy. DNA was extracted from venous blood of each subject using the salting out method. GSTP1 genetic polymorphisms were detected using the polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism method. There was a significant difference in GSTP1 genotype frequency between patients and normal groups (P= 0.006). Also, in the patient group, the grade B of esophagitis was significantly associated with variant GSTP1 genotype (P= 0.028). The rate of throat pain symptom was higher in the no-variant group (P < 0.036). The GSTP1*B allele frequency in Iranian normal groups is similar to Orientals. Reflux esophagitis are more commonly found in variant (*B/*B and *A/*B) GSTP1 genotypes. In addition, GSTP1 polymorphism is correlated with a higher grade of esophagitis.