Human leukocyte glutathione S‐transferase isozyme (class mu) and susceptibility to smoking‐related cancers

Abstract

Glutathione S‐transferase isozyme class mu from human leukocytes has been shown to be dominantly inherited and can be determined by activity measurement directed toward the substrate trans‐stilbene oxide. The activity distribution of leukocyte glutathione S‐transferase class mu was determined from control healthy nonsmokers, smokers, and smoking‐related cancer patients. In a control healthy nonsmoker population, 54% (n = 50) of the subjects showed high levels of glutathione S‐transferase class mu activity. In patients with cancers known to be related to smoking, 46% (n = 50) showed higher levels of glutathione S‐transferase class mu. Noncancer smokers matched for age and smoking history with cancer patients showed an increased likelihood of having glutathione S‐transferase (GST) class mu activity (76%). These results suggest that GST mu may be a cancer susceptibility marker in the case of smokers. In rats, benzo[a]pyrene (1 mg/kg, ip) administration daily for 3 d produced a significant increase in liver glutathione S‐transferase class mu. Although these induction studies in experimental animals may not be relevant to humans, there is a possibility that, as in rats, this enzyme may be inducible in humans by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.