Genetic variation in GSTM1 is associated with susceptibility to noise-induced hearing loss in a Chinese population.

Abstract

To investigate whether glutathione S-transferases (GST) genetic polymorphisms (GSTT1 rs1049055, GSTM1 rs10712361, and GSTP1 rs1695) are associated with susceptibility to noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). These polymorphisms were analyzed in 444 NIHL and 445 normal hearing workers. In addition, total plasma GST activity was measured in all subjects. Individuals with the GSTM1 null genotype had a statistically significantly increased risk of NIHL (odds ratio [OR] = 1.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.26 to 2.13) compared with those carrying a wild-type GSTM1 genotype. This effect was more pronounced among the workers exposed to 86 to 91 dB(A) (OR = 3.35, 95% CI = 1.54 to 7.31). Glutathione S-transferase activity of the NIHL workers was also lower than that of normal hearing workers (14.5 ± 5.1 U/ml vs 15.9 ± 6.3 U/ml, P = 0.010). Our results suggest that GSTM1 polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to NIHL.