N-Acetyltransferase 2, glutathione S-transferase gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to hepatocellular carcinoma in an Algerian population

Abstract

1. This study was conducted to investigate the potential association of genetic polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferase M1/T1 (GSTM1, GSTT1), and N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) genes and epidemiological parameters with the risk of HCC in the Algerian population.

2. A case-control study including 132 confirmed HCC patients and 141 cancer-free controls was performed. Genotyping analysis was performed using conventional multiplex PCR and PCR-RFLP. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square test. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).

3. GSTM1 null and NAT2 slow acetylator genotypes confer an increased risk to HCC (OR = 1.88, 95% CI 1.16–3.05; OR = 2.30, 95% CI 1.26–4.18, respectively). This association was prevalent in smokers (OR = 2.00, 95% CI 1.05–3.8 and OR = 2.55, 95% CI 1.22–5.34, respectively). No significant association was observed for GSTT1 null genotype in the contribution to HCC risk (OR = 0.76, 95% CI 0.46–1.27).

4. In conclusion, the GSTM1 and NAT2 gene polymorphisms are positively associated with the risk of HCC in older men and especially in smokers.

Keywords:

• Hepatocellular carcinoma
• GSTM1
• GSTT1
• NAT2
• genetic polymorphism
• xenobiotic metabolising enzymes

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the health staff of oncology centre for their help in recruiting cases and controls.

Informed consent

All authors have read and approved the content and agree to submit it for consideration for publication in your journal.

Author contributions

LC, KB, designed and performed the experiments, analysed the data; LC, KB, AF prepared the tables and wrote the manuscript; FD, FZS, DH, KC, helped design the experiments, read the manuscript and critically reviewed it. KB conceived and supervised the study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data that supported the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author LC upon request.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Algerian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.