Are glutathione S-transferase polymorphisms (GSTM1, GSTT1) associated with primary open angle glaucoma? A meta-analysis

•A meta-analysis was performed to assess the association of GST variants with POAG.•A total of 14 studies were included in the meta-analysis.•GSTM1 null genotype was associated with POAG risk in East Asians.•GSTT1 null genotype was not associated with risk of POAG regardless of ethnicity.

BackgroundGlutathione S-transferase (GST) variants have been considered as risk factors for the pathogenesis of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). However, the results have been inconsistent. In this study, we performed a meta-analysis to assess the association between GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes and the risk for POAG.MethodsPublished literature from PubMed and EMBASE databases was retrieved. All studies evaluating the association between GSTM1/GSTT1 variants and POAG were included. Pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using fixed- or random-effects model.Results14 studies (1711 POAG cases and 1537 controls) were included in the meta-analysis of GSTM1 genotypes and 10 studies (1306 POAG cases and 1114 controls) were included in the meta-analysis of GSTT1 genotypes. The overall result showed that the association between GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes and risk for POAG was not statistically significant (GSTM1: OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 0.82-1.73, p = 0.361; GSTT1: OR = 1.26, 95% CI = 0.77-2.06, p = 0.365). The results by ethnicity showed that the association between the GSTM1 null genotype and risk for POAG is statistically significant in East Asians (OR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.04-1.90, p = 0.026), but not in Caucasians (OR = 1.13, 95% CI = 0.69-1.84, p = 0.638) and Latin-American (OR = 1.09, 95% CI = 0.62-1.92, p = 0.767). In addition, there was no significant association of GSTT1 null genotype with risk for POAG in either ethnic population.ConclusionsThe present meta-analysis suggested that there might be a significant association of GSTM1 null genotype with POAG risk in East Asians.