Lack of association of genetic polymorphisms of angiotensin-converting enzyme gene i/d and glutathione-s-transferase enzyme t1 and m1 with retinopathy of prematures

Abstract

One of the most frequently observed causes of blindness in infancy is the pathogenesis known as retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is a vital enzyme in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system; it is involved in the development of cardiovascular system diseases linked to I/D polymorphism of the ACE gene. Glutathione-S-transferase enzyme (GST) is one of the most important regulating components of the antioxidant system; there are indications that certain polymorphisms of GST genes (GSTT1, GSTM1), especially the null genotypes, increase the tendency for oxidative stress diseases. We investigated a possible correlation between ACE gene I/D and GSTT1 and GSTM1 gene polymorphisms in 56 prematures suffering from ROP and a control group composed of 48 prematures without ROP in a hospital in Turkey. PCR was used to detect the ACE I/D, GSTT1 and GSTM1 gene polymorphisms. Genotype was determined based on bands formed on agarose gel electrophoresis. We found no significant differences in genotype frequency of the ACE I/D, GSTT1 and GSTM1 genes between normal subjects and patients with ROP. Our results do not support an association of ACE I/D, GSTT1 and GSTM1 gene polymorphisms with risk for ROP.