Influence of GST polymorphisms in the age of onset of cataract: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose : Cataracts are a clinically heterogeneous disorder affecting up to 12% of the population aged 40 years and older. Multiple environmental and genetic factors influence disease susceptibility. Glutathione S-transferase (GST) genes deletion might be involved in cataractogenesis, through impaired conjugation of reduced glutathione. Excessive ROS could promote earlier lens opacification. To date, no systematic studies have assessed the effect of GST polymorphisms and age of onset of cataracts. Here, we aim to evaluate the association between GST polymorphisms, found through a systematic review, on cataracts age of presentation by meta-analysis. Methods : We conducted a systematic search in MEDLINE, HuGENET, and LILACS databases. We included observational studies that determined genotype based on validated genotyping instruments and with a stringent quality check (e.g., genotyping call rate ≥ 95%, HWE in controls). We abstracted counts of null alleles of GSTM1 and GSTT1 in cases and controls. We performed a meta-analysis of these measurements using random and fixed effects models, subgrouping by age of diagnosis. ©Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science