Glutathione S-transferase polymorphisms in varicocele patients: a meta-analysis.

The glutathione S-transferase (GST) family represents a major group of detoxification and antioxidant enzymes. Studies have shown that high oxidative stress levels are associated with varicocele. The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between GSTM1 and GSTT1 null polymorphisms and varicocele using a study group of 497 varicocele patients and 476 control subjects. A systematic literature search (for articles published up to September 2014) utilizing Google Scholar and PubMed was conducted. The chi-square-based Q test and I(2) index were used to evaluate data from retrieved studies. The possible publication bias was evaluated by Begg funnel plot and the Egger test. No statistically significant association was found between GSTM1 or GSTT1 null genotypes and varicocele in the overall data analysis. In a subgroup analysis, only the null GSTM1 genotype was observed at a significantly higher frequency in Caucasian varicocele patients. In the Chinese subgroup, no association was established between the GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes and this condition. More attention should be drawn to oxidative stress-related pathological manifestations for Caucasian varicocele patients.