OBJECTIVE

To determine the possible effects of glutathione S-transferase (GST) M1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 genetic polymorphisms on the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

METHODS

This case-control study included a total of 120 patients with AMD (65 with dry-type AMD and 55 with wet-type AMD) and 198 disease-free controls. GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms were analyzed by using a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and GSTP1 polymorphism was detected by real-time PCR assay.

RESULTS

GSTM1-null genotype was significantly associated with the development of AMD (p = 0.01, OR = 1.82, 95% CI = 1.14-2.91). Stratification by AMD subtypes revealed a significant relationship between GSTM1-null genotype and dry-type AMD (p = 0.02, OR = 1.98, 95% CI = 1.10-3.53). In a stepwise regression model, only GSTM1-null genotype was significantly associated with the development of AMD (p = 0.01, OR = 1.77, 95% CI = 1.11-2.81).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that genetic polymorphisms of GST may have a role in the development of AMD.