The relation between glutathione S-Transferase M1 null-genotype and cardiac problems in beta-thalassemia.

This work was carried out to investigate the role of Glutathione S-Transferase M1 (GSTM1) null genotype frequency in prognosis of β-thalassemia, and to detect the correlation between GSTM1 null genotype and appearance of cardiac complications in β-thalassemia.

METHODS

The studied groups in the present work were divided to three groups (group I: 20 healthy subjects, group II: 56 β-thalassemic patients and group III: 16 β-thalassemic patients with cardiac complications were taken from group II). The measurement of human high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) was performed using nephelometry. GSTM1 genotype was detected by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and cardiac complications were determined by using Echocardiography.

RESULTS

A statistically significant increase in hs-CRP and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels was found in β-thalassemic patients with cardiac complications compared to normal subjects. Results showed no relation between GSTM1 null genotype frequency neither with β-thalassemia nor with cardiac complications appearance, where the interaction between GSTM1 null genotype in β-thalassemic patients with cardiac complications and healthy subjects were insignificant compared to subjects with GSTM1 non-null genotype.

CONCLUSIONS

GSTM1 null genotype frequency has no role in β-thalassemia or cardiac complications appearance.