Glutathione S-transferase gene polymorphisms (GSTT1 and GSTM1) and risk of schizophrenia

Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a chronic disability disorder related to oxidative stress. Glutathione S-transferase (GST) is a group enzyme that protects cells and tissues from oxidative stress damage. Among GSTs, GSTT1 and GSTM1 have well defined genetic polymorphisms. The purpose of our research was to explore the correlation between GSTT1 and GSTM1 polymorphism and SCZ risk in Chinese Han population. A total of 650 subjects (386 SCZ patients and 264 healthy individuals) were included in this case–control designed study. The GSTT1 and GSTM1 polymorphisms were analyzed by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We explored the relationship between these 2 polymorphisms and the risk of SCZ. We found that the GSTT1 null genotype had a protective effect on the development of SCZ [odds ratio (OR) = 0.601, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 0.412–0.986, P = .031]. We also found that the combination of null genotypes of the GSTT1 and GSTM1 genes was made at a lower risk of SCZ (OR = 0.452, 95% CI = 0.238–0.845, P = .028). However, we found no correction between Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale score (PANSS) and GSTM1, GSST1 genotypes in SCZ patients. Our finding revealed that GSTT1 null polymorphisms may be related to the reduced risk of SCZ in Chinese Han population, and this risk was further reduced with the combination of GSTT1 null polymorphisms and GSTM1 null polymorphisms.