Relationship of genetic polymorphism of microsomal epoxide hydrolase with susceptibility of chronic benzene poisoning / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the relationship between genetic polymorphisms of microsomal epoxide hydrolase (mEH) and susceptibility of chronic benzene poisoning (BP).</p><p><b>METHOD</b>A case-control study was conducted. 152 BP patients and 152 workers occupationally exposed to benzene without poisoning manifestations were investigated. Polymerase chain reaction-restrained fragment length polymorphism technique (PCR-RFLP) was applied to detect the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on c.113 and c.139 of mEH gene.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The risk of BP for individuals carrying mEHc.113 C/C genotype was 0.60 (OR = 0.60, 95% CI 0.37 - 0.97, P = 0.04) of those carrying T/T and T/C genotypes. In non-smoking population, the risk of BP for subjects carrying mEHc.113 C/C genotype was 0.56 (OR = 0.56, 95% CI 0.33 - 0.96, P = 0.03) of those carrying T/T and T/C genotypes, and in non-drinking population, the individuals carrying mEHc.113 C/C genotype was 0.51 (OR = 0.51, 95% CI 0.30 - 0.86, P = 0.01) of those carrying T/T and T/C genotypes.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The subjects carrying mEHc.113 C/C genotype and together with non-smoking or non-drinking habit may have lower risk of chronic benaene poisoning.</p>