Glutathione S-transferase M1 and T1 gene polymorphisms and risk of endometriosis in Tunisian population.

Objective : An association between endometriosis and the glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1)- and GSTT1-related genes has been proposed on account of the detoxification properties of the GST enzymes. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the polymorphisms and null mutations are associated with the susceptibility to endometriosis. Methods : The study included 105 women with endometriosis and 150 healthy women with no laparoscopic evidence of disease. Genotyping of the GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene polymorphisms was performed by Multiplex-PCR. Results : There was a significant association of GSTM1 null and GSTT1 null genotypes with endometriosis both when studied alone (P = 0.001 and P = 0.03, respectively) and in combination (P = 0.00002). Conclusion: The findings suggest that the GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene deficiency predisposes to endometriosis in a Tunisian population and can confer a significant increased risk when the GST null genotypes are combined.