Background: Glutathione S-transferase (GST) is an important antioxidant enzyme in the body. The weakening of the antioxidant system causes damage to the cells and tissues that make up the organism, adversely affects the function of the nervous system, and ultimately leads to schizophrenia (SCZ). Previous studies have yielded inconsistent results across different ethnic populations.
Purpose: This case–control study was carried out to investigate whether genetic polymorphisms in GST could be associated with SCZ in the Chinese Han population.
Patients and Methods: A total of 794 participants, including 379 SCZ patients (case group) and 415 healthy individuals (control group), were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length for polymorphisms in GST genes.
Results: The study found that the frequency of the GSTM1 null genotype was higher in case group than control group (p =0.003). The frequency of the GSTM1 and GSTT1 double null genotype was also higher in case group than control group (p =0.008).
Conclusion: We conclude that the GSTM1 null genotype and the GSTM1 and GSTT1 double null genotype may be related to the onset of SCZ in Chinese Han population.
Keywords: glutathione transferase, gene polymorphisms, schizophrenia