Effects of GSTT1 and GSTM1 polymorphisms in glutathione levels and breast cancer development in Brazilian patients

Polymorphisms in the glutathione transferase enzymes (GSTs) genes have been associated with susceptibility to develop breast cancer (BC), but few are known regarding its role on this disease prognosis and impact on antioxidant status. This study evaluated the polymorphisms of GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes and their relationship with BC susceptibility and prognostic, as well as its impact on plasma reduced glutathione (GSH) levels. The present study included 121 women with invasive ductal BC and 151 healthy controls. Polymorphisms analyses were performed using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique and GSH levels were measured with the Ellman’s reagent. GSTT1 (OR 1.29; p = 0.39) and GSTM1 (OR 1.03; p = 0.91) polymorphisms did not show any association with BC susceptibility. The mean concentration values in nmol/L of GSH were 20.37 ± 5.82 for patients with null genotypes for both genes, 19.75 ± 3.47 for null GSTT1 , 17.22 ± 1.35 for active GSTT1 , 18.82 ± 1.96 for absent GSTM1 , and 16.59 ± 1.66 for active GSTM1 , but no significance was found. Therefore, it can be concluded that the behavior of these polymorphisms concerning BC might be not only related to the absence of enzymatic expression but may also be related to the body’s response with its antioxidant mechanisms and it should be further studied.