Polymorphism of glutathione S-transferase P1 gene affects human vitamin C metabolism

There are large inter-individual differences in the metabolism of vitamin C (VC), which is composed of both ascorbic acid (AsA) and dehydroascorbic acid (DAsA). AsA is oxidized to DAsA in a series of xenobiotic reactions. Thus, the effects of polymorphism A313G (Ile105Val) in the gene for glutathione S-transferases P1 (GSTP1), one of the most active xenobiotic enzymes, on human VC metabolism were studied. The variant frequency of GSTP1 among the present subjects (n = 210) was AA 71.0%; GA 27.0% and GG 1.9%. At 24 h after administration of 1 mmol of VC to young women (n = 17; age, 21.0 ± 1.1 y), total VC excretion (46.7 ± 18.1 mg) by AA homozygotes of GSTP1 was greater (p < 0.0069) than that (28.2 ± 14.0 mg) by GA heterozygotes. One hour after administration of VC, blood total VC levels were also significantly different (p < 0.0036) between the homozygotes and heterozygotes. The effects of other polymorphisms in xenobiotic enzymes on VC metabolism were small.