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High glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity may contribute to colorectal cancer prevention. Functional polymorphisms are known in the GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTA1 and GSTP1 genes. The influence of these GST polymorphisms and recent fruit and vegetable consumption on GST levels and activity has not been investigated simultaneously in a human population. Also, it is not clear if blood GST activity reflects rectal GST activity. Therefore, we determined GST polymorphisms in 94 patients scheduled for sigmoidoscopy. Rectal GST isoenzyme levels (GSTM1, GSTM2, GSTT1, GSTA and GSTP1) were measured by quantitative western blotting, and rectal and white blood cell total GST activities were measured spectrophotometrically using 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) as a substrate. Vegetable and fruit consumption was assessed by dietary record. As expected, the GSTM1 and GSTT1 deletion polymorphisms, and the GSTA1 g.-69C→T polymorphism significantly affected the respective isoenzyme levels. Also, rectal GST isoenzyme levels differed between those with and without recent consumption of Alliaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Apiaceae and citrus fruit. Rectal GST activity, however, was not clearly influenced by fruit and vegetable consumption. It was most significantly determined by the GSTP1 c.313A→G polymorphism; compared with the 313AA genotypes, the 313AG and 313GG genotypes showed 36 and 67 nmol/min/mg protein (P < 0.001) lower GST activity, respectively. The correlation between rectal and white blood cell GST activities was low (r = 0.40, P < 0.001), and the relevance of the various genetic and dietary factors appeared to differ between the two tissues. In conclusion, this study indicates that the GST enzyme system is influenced by both GST polymorphisms and consumption of fruits and vegetables. The latter appeared more important for individual rectal GST isoenzyme levels than for total GST activity, which could affect detoxification of isoenzyme-specific substrates. The study results do no support the use of white blood cell GST activity as a surrogate measure for rectal GST activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The glutathione (GSH)/glutathione S-transferase (GST) system is an important detoxification system in the gastrointestinal tract. A high activity of this system may benefit cancer prevention. The aim of the study was to assess whether habitual consumption of fruits and vegetables, especially citrus fruits and brassica and allium vegetables, is positively associated with parameters reflecting the activity of the GSH/GST enzyme system in human rectal mucosa. GST enzyme activity, GST isoenzyme levels of GST-alpha (A1-1, A1-2 and A2-2), -mu (M1-1) and -pi (P1-1), and GSH levels were measured in rectal biopsies from 94 subjects. Diet, lifestyle, GSTM1 and GSTT1 null polymorphisms were assessed. Mean GST enzyme activity was 237 nmol/min/mg protein (SD = 79). Consumption of citrus fruits was positively associated with GST enzyme activity [difference between high and low consumption: 28.9 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 9.348.6) nmol/min/mg protein], but was not associated with the other parameters. A positive association with brassica vegetables was found among carriers of the GSTM1-plus genotype [difference between high and low consumption: 22.6 (95% CI = 0.245.0) nmol/min/mg protein], but not among GSTM1-null individuals (-25.8 nmol/min/mg protein, 95% CI = -63.311.8). This is in line with a positive association between consumption of brassica vegetables and GSTM isoenzyme level [difference between high and low consumption: 67.5%, 95% CI = (6.8162.7)]. Consumption of allium vegetables was not associated with GST enzyme activity, but negatively with GSTP1-1 levels [difference between high and low consumption: -23.3%, 95% CI = (-35.5; -8.6)]. Associations were similar among those with the GSTT1-plus and GSTT1-null genotype. In conclusion, variations in habitual consumption of fruits, particularly citrus fruits, and of vegetables, in particular brassica vegetables, among those with the GSTM1-plus genotype, may contribute to variations in human rectal GST enzyme activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]