Glutathione-S-transferases M1/T1 gene polymorphisms and endometriosis: a meta-analysis in Chinese populations

Abstract

In view of the controversies surrounding the glutathione-S-transferases (GST) M1/T1–endometriosis association, a meta-analysis of the GSTM1/GSTT1 genetic association studies of endometriosis was performed in Chinese populations. PubMed, Springer Link, OvidSP, and Chinese databases were searched for related studies. A total of nine studies on GSTM1-endometriosis involved 874 cases and 997 controls, and five studies on GSTT1 involved 404 cases and 513 controls were included in this meta-analysis. Overall, the null genotype of GSTM1/GSTT1 was significantly related to endometriosis risk in Chinese populations (GSTM1, OR = 2.21, 95% CI: 1.22–4.01; GSTT1, OR = 2.31, 95% CI: 1.34–3.99). In subgroup analyses stratified by ethnicity and source of controls, the same results were observed in Chinese Han and population-based studies. The sensitivity analysis confirmed the reliability and stability of the meta-analysis. No publication bias was found among studies by Egger’s test. In conclusion, our meta-analysis supports that the GSTM1/GSTT1 null genotype might contribute to individual susceptibility to endometriosis in Chinese populations, especially in Chinese Han.

Chinese abstract

鉴于围绕谷胱甘肽巯基转移酶（GST）M1/T1与子宫内膜异位症的关联的争议，对此在中国人群中进行一项有关GSTM1/GSTT1和子宫内膜异位症遗传关系的荟萃分析。在PubMed, Springer Link, OvidSP以及中国数据库中搜索了相关的研究。这项荟萃分析共有9项有关GSTM1和子宫内膜异位症的研究，包括874例病例和997例对照，5项有关GSTT1的研究，包括404例病例及513例对照。整体来说，在中国人群中，GSTM1/GSTT1基因型缺失和患子宫内膜异位症风险是显著相关的(GSTM1,OR=2.21, 95% CI：1.22–4.01； GSTT1， OR=2.31，95% CI：1.34–3.99)。在亚组分析中，按照种族和控制源分组，在汉族和基于人口的研究中可以得到相同的结果。敏感性分析证实了荟萃分析的可靠性和稳定性。使用艾格测试，在所有的研究中，没有发现发表偏倚。总之，我们的荟萃分析支持：GSTM1/GSTT1基因型缺失可能提高中国人群对子宫内膜异位症的易感性，尤其是汉族人群。

• Endometriosis
• GSTM1
• GSTT1
• glutathione-S-transferase
• meta-analysis
• polymorphism

Declaration of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.