Genetic polymorphism of glutathione S-transferases

     Glutathione s-transferases (GSTs) are enzymes responsible for the detoxification of certain products of oxidative stress and a variety of electrophilic xenobiotics and carcinogens, such as solvents, herbicides, pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, steroids and heavy metals.

 

• GSTM1: located mainly in the liver, when it is not present in the chromosome, it is called a "missing" allele. This results in reduced hepatic detoxification capacity, which can be compensated by adding extra servings of cruciferous vegetables, at least 3-4 servings per week.

 

• GSTP1: located in brain tissue, skin tissue and lung tissue, polymorphism in this gene produces a variant enzyme with lower activity and lower detoxification capacity.

 

• GSTT1: an enzyme that plays an important role in the utilization of vitamin C. There can also be a deletion of the allele, which can result in a decreased ability to process vitamin C and this means an increased need for vitamin C.

 

    Glutathione is recycled in our bodies, unless our toxic load becomes too high or we lack the enzymes necessary to recycle and produce glutathione, due to polymorphisms in the GSTP1 gene and/or deletion in the GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes.