Deletion polymorphisms for the glutathione S-transferase (GST) gene are associated with increased risk of cancer, and are implicated in detoxifying mutagenic electrophilic compounds. GST Polymorphic variants were reported for different populations. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequencies of GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes among Bahraini, Lebanese and Tunisian Arabs. GST genotyping was done by multiplex PCR-based methods. Study subjects comprised 167 Bahrainis, 141 Lebanese and 186 Tunisians unrelated healthy individuals. GSTM1 deletion homozygosity of 49.7%, 52.5% and 63.4% were recorded for Bahraini, Lebanese and Tunisians, respectively. Among Bahrainis, the prevalence of GSTT1 null homozygotes was 28.7%, while in higher rates were seen in Lebanese (37.6%) and Tunisians (37.1%). Our results indicate that there are no major differences in allelic distribution of GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes between the three Arab populations investigated except between Bahrainis and Tunisians regarding the allelic distribution of GSTM1 gene (P = 0.013). Combined analysis of both genes revealed that 14.4% of Bahrainis, 16.3% of Lebanese and 21.0% of Tunisians harbor the deleted genotype of both genes. This is the first study that addresses GST gene polymorphism in Bahraini and Lebanese Arabs, and will help genetic studies on the association of GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms with disease risks and drug effects in Arab populations.

中文翻译：

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三个不同阿拉伯人群中谷胱甘肽 S-转移酶 M1 和 T1 基因的遗传多态性。

谷胱甘肽 S 转移酶 (GST) 基因的缺失多态性与癌症风险增加有关，并与诱变亲电子化合物的解毒有关。报告了不同人群的 GST 多态性变异。本研究的目的是调查巴林、黎巴嫩和突尼斯阿拉伯人中GSTM1和GSTT1无效基因型的频率。GST 基因分型是通过基于多重 PCR 的方法完成的。研究对象包括 167 名巴林人、141 名黎巴嫩人和 186 名突尼斯人无关的健康个体。巴林人、黎巴嫩人和突尼斯人的GSTM1缺失纯合度分别为 49.7%、52.5% 和 63.4%。在巴林人中，GSTT1的流行率无效纯合子为 28.7%，而黎巴嫩人（37.6%）和突尼斯人（37.1%）的比率更高。我们的结果表明，除了巴林人和突尼斯人之间关于GSTM1基因的等位基因分布（P = 0.013）之外，所研究的三个阿拉伯人群之间的GSTM1和 GSTT1 基因的等位基因分布没有重大差异。对这两种基因的综合分析表明，14.4% 的巴林人、16.3% 的黎巴嫩人和 21.0% 的突尼斯人携带这两个基因的缺失基因型。这是第一项针对巴林和黎巴嫩阿拉伯人GST基因多态性的研究，将有助于对GSTM1和GSTT1关联的遗传研究 阿拉伯人群中具有疾病风险和药物作用的多态性。