Association of GSTT1 gene with COVID‐19 susceptibility and its outcome

Abstract

Background: The pandemic of the new coronavirus infection not only showed all the flaws of health systems and gaps in medical science, but also catalyzed many processes. Coronavirus develops into a broad range of illnesses from asymptomatic to fatal diseases. One such problem is COVID-19 caused by oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is defined as a violation of the balance of antioxidants and prooxidants in the biological system. During oxidative stress, highly reactive oxygen/ nitrogen compounds are formed such as hydroxyl, superoxide anion, nitric oxide and nitrosyl anion, which damage DNA, proteins and lipids leading to cell death. COVID-19 infection is associated with oxidative stress that triggers cytokine production, inflammation, and other pathophysiological processes. In this process GST enzyme that catalyzes the conjugation of glutathione (GSH) with electrophiles to protect the cell from oxidative damage. Materials and Methods: At the time of this study, 80 people were enrolled. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples by using a Commercially Available Kit (Apex) and the quality/quantity of DNA was assessed by using a spectrophotometer and gel electrophoresis checked on 1% agarose gel and quantified in a biophotometer. GSTT1 null genotypes were detected by using polymerase chain reaction. Results: In the study, the deletion of the GSTT1 gene was 40%. We calculated the allele frequency of the GSTT1 polymorphism using the Hardy-Weinberg equation. To calculate the allele frequency using Hardy-Weinberg equation: the allele frequency (major) of GSTT1 gene in Ulaanbaatar residents was p=0.6 (minor) q=0.16 and the frequency of GSTT1 “Null” genotype was 0.400. p-value of Chi-square was 0.0177 compared to expected allele and predicted allele. Conclusion: Furthermore participates in the antioxidant defense mechanism in the lungs. In this study, we revealed GSTT1 gene Null mutation with COVID-19 susceptibility.