ABSTRACT
Autoimmune hepatitis [AIH] is a chronic inflammatory liver disorder of unknown etiology. The search for gene polymorphisms has suggested that Glutathion-s-transferase [GST], enzymes that metabolize carcinogens, drug, and foreign compounds, may play a role in susceptibility to autoimmune liver disease and its severity. The objective of this study was to investigate for a relationship between the glutathion-s-transferase M1, T1 and P1 genotypes and type 1 autoimmune hepatitis. In a case-control study, we investigated glutathion S-transferase [GST] P1 Ile [105] Val, T1, and M1 polymorphisms in 64 type 1 AIH patients and 100 healthy controls that were selected consecutively. GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms were analyzed by a Multiplex PCR procedure, whereas GSTP1 polymorphism was analyzed by PCR-RFLP. GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes [deletions] were determined in 33[51.6%] and 15 [23.4%] patients with type 1 AIH, and 56 [56%] and 22[22%] controls, respectively. Comparison of patients and controls relative to GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotypes revealed no significant difference between them. Regarding GSTP1 genotypes, 25[39.1%] heterozygotes, 7 [10.9%] homozygotes in the case group and 38[38%] heterozygotes, 14[14%] homozygotes in the control group were observed. The allele frequency of GSTP1 [Val] was 30.4% and 33 % in patients and controls, respectively. There were no significant variation in GSTP1 frequencies between cases and controls. These results suggest that there is no association between GST M1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 gene polymorphisms and type 1 autoimmune hepatitis in Iran