Result of association between the glutathione S-transferase T1 ( GSTT 1) polymorphism and severity of COVID-19

Abstract

Background: The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is called “SARS-CoV-2” because it is about 80% similar to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), a member of the beta-coronavirus family (Beta-coronaviridae). Researchers continue to find that susceptibility to COVID-19 infection is related to individual genetic differences and gene polymorphisms. With a null genotype of the GSTT1 gene, complete loss of GSTT enzyme activity leads to increased oxidative stress associated with various diseases (cardiovascular, respiratory, intestinal inflammation, etc.). Oxidative stress is one of the important problems in respiratory viral infections. Pulmonary fibrosis is one of the most common complications associated with oxidative stress in COVID-19. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the GSTT1 gene polymorphism found in Mongolians in relation to COVID-19 disease severity. Materials and Methods: SARS-CoV-2 virus infection was detected by RT‐PCR using genome-specific primer + unique TaqMan probe (SARS-CoV-2 Detection, Fluorescence PCR, Zhejiang Orient Gene Biotech Co., LTD, China). The null genotype of GSTT1 gene was determined by PCR using specific primers. Results: In this study we determinied the polymorphism of GSTT1 gene in mild and severe Covid infection groups, the null genotype of GSTT1 gene (Null) was found with relatively high frequency in the group of patients, while the nonnull gene was frequently found in the severe group. When GSTT1 gene polymorphisms were determined in the mild and severe Covid infection groups, the null (Null) genotype of the GSTT1 gene occurred with relatively high frequency in the patient group, while the non-null (Non Null) genotype of the GSTT1 gene occurred frequently in the control group (p=0.027; OR = 0.21; CI 0.04-0.96) 21 (52%) from the more severe group and 19 (48%) from the milder group, totaling 40 individuals. When assessing the effect of GSTT1 gene polymorphism on COVID-19 severity, no statistically significant differences were found between the more severe and milder groups in terms of age and education level, but smokers showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups in the presence or absence of comorbidities. Conclusion: GSTT1 gene polymorphism, age and presence of comorbidities were statistically significantly associated with the severity of Covid infection. Age, gender, and GSTT1 gene polymorphism were inversely related when correlations between risk factor scores and COVID-19 severity were analyzed.