Influence of glutathione s-transferase on the ototoxicity caused by aminoglycosides.

The process of hair cell damage and death as a result of exposure to noise and ototoxins seems to be mediated by reactive oxygen species.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between genetic polymorphisms in the Glutathione S-transferase and the susceptibility to hearing loss induced by aminoglycosides.

METHODS

Null genotypes were analyzed by multiplex-PCR in the DNA samples from 50 patients and 72 controls. The patients were divided into 3 groups, 10 with hearing loss using aminoglycosides (group A), 20 with hearing loss without exposure to the drug (group B) and 20 hearing individuals who used the antibiotic (group C).

METHODS

Experimental.

RESULTS

Polymorphisms in the GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes were found in 16% and 42% of patients and in 18% and 53% of the control group, respectively. After statistical analysis no significant difference was observed between the control groups and A (p=0.86) and (p=0.41), controls and B (p=0.27) and (p=0.24), controls and C (p=0.07) and (p=0.47), controls and A + C (p=0.09) and (p=0.47), C and A (p=0.32) and (p=0.75), GSTT1 and GSTM1, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data show that polymorphisms in GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes have no influence on the ototoxicity of aminoglycosides.