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Glutathione S-Transferase Genetic Polymorphisms as Possible Risk
Factors for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Egyptian Population
Fathy M El-Fasakhany1
&
Galal AlKassas2
Departments
of Medical
Biochemistry1
and Tropical medicine2,
Faculty of medicine,
Tanta University,
Egypt
Tanta Med. Sc. J 2008; 3(2):127-134
Article type: Original article
Background/Aim: High rates of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are
primarily due to high prevalence of chronic hepatitis C or B virus
infection which causes chronic necroinflammatory hepatic disease.
Egypt has one of the world’s highest prevalences of hepatitis C
virus (HCV) infection. Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) constitute
a superfamily of enzymes that catalyse the metabolism of a wide
range of carcinogens. Of the different isoforms of GSTs, GSTM1 and
GSTT1 which have deletion polymorphisms. The aim of the present
study was to investigate the possible association between GSTM1 and
GSTT1 deletion polymorphisms and the risk of HCC in Egyptian
patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Subjects & Methods:
The genotypes of GSTM1 and GSTT1 were analyzed in 24 HCV carriers
with HCC, and 25 healthy controls using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
technique. Results: The null genotypes of GSTM1 and GSTT1were
significantly frequent in patients with HCC compared with controls.
Conclusion: These results suggest that both The GSTM1 and GSTT1 null
genotypes are associated with an increased risk of HCC in Egyptian
population.
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