Xenobiotic metabolizing genes polymorphism in Kaunas city pregnant women

Abstract

Little is know about genetic susceptibility to drinking water contaminants and pregnancy outcomes. We conducted a cross-sectional study to determine whether a difference exists in metabolic genes polymorphisms of users in women residing in different drinking water supply systems areas. The study population consisted of 120 randomly selected pregnant women served by four water treatment plants of Kaunas city. Mothers’ blood samples and questionnaire information were collected for testing gene-environment interactions. We used polymerase chain reaction (PSR) – based assays to genotype the polymorphism of metabolizing enzymes involved in the elimination of xenobiotic -glutathione-S-transferaze (GST). Comparison prevalence carriers and noncarriers of the GSTT1 variants revealed that there were not statistically significant differences across the gene status among women residing in different water treatment plants supplying zones.