The -444A/C polymorphism in the LTC4S gene and the risk of asthma: a meta-analysis.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIMS:

The -444A/C polymorphism in the leukotriene C4 synthase (LTC4S) gene has been implicated in susceptibility to asthma, but a large number of studies have reported inconclusive results. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the -444A/C polymorphism in the LTC4S gene and asthma risk using meta-analysis.

METHODS:

We searched Pubmed, Embase, CNKI and Wanfang databases. Statistical analysis was performed using the software Revman4.2 and STATA10.0.

RESULTS:

A total of 3042 cases and 1902 controls in 13 case-control studies were included in the meta-analysis. The results indicated that the variant C allele carriers (CC + AC) did not have increased/decreased risk of asthma when compared with the homozygote AA (CC + AC vs. AA: OR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.00-1.28, p = 0.06). In the subgroup analysis by age, ethnicity and aspirin sensitivity, significantly elevated risks were found only in Caucasians (OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.02-1.44, p = 0.03) and aspirin-tolerant populations (OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.12-1.65, p = 0.002) but not in other subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS:

This meta-analysis suggested that the -444A/C polymorphism in the LTC4S gene would be a risk factor for asthma in Caucasians and aspirin-tolerant populations. Future studies are needed to validate our results.

• Authors: Yonggang Zhang, Honglang Huang, Jichong Huang, Zhangpeng Xiang, Min Yang, Can Tian, Hong Fan
• Journal: Archives of medical research (Arch Med Res) Vol. 43 Issue 6 Pg. 444-50 (Aug 2012) ISSN: 1873-5487 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 22884858 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2012 IMSS. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Glutathione Transferase
• leukotriene-C4 synthase

Topics

• Asthma (epidemiology, genetics)
• Case-Control Studies
• Genetic Predisposition to Disease
• Glutathione Transferase (genetics)
• Humans
• Polymorphism, Genetic