AIM: Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are involved in the detoxification of many potential carcinogens and appear to play a critical role in the protection from the effects of carcinogens. The contribution of glutathione S-transferases M1 and T1 genotypes to susceptibility to the risk of gastric cancer and their interaction with cigarette smoking are still unclear. The aim of this study was to determine whether there was any relationship between genetic polymorphisms of GSTM1 and GSTT1 and gastric cancer.

METHODS: A population based case-control study was carried out in a high-risk area, Changle County, Fujian Province, China. The epidemiological data were collected by a standard questionnaire and blood samples were obtained from 95 incidence gastric cancer cases and 94 healthy controls. A polymerase chain reaction method was used to detect the presence or absence of the GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes in genomic DNA. Logistic regression model was employed in the data analysis.

RESULTS: An increase in risk for gastric cancer was found among carriers of GSTM1 null genotype. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) was 2.63 [95% Confidence Interval (95%CI) 1.17-5.88], after controlling for age, gender, cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, and fish sauce intake. The frequency of GSTT1 null genotype in cancer cases (43.16%) was not significantly different from that in controls (50.00%). However, the risk for gastric cancer in those with GSTM1 null and GSTT1 non-null genotype was significantly higher than in those with both GSTM1 and GSTT1 non-null genotype (OR = 2.77, 95%CI 1.15-6.77). Compared with those subjects who never smoked and had normal GSTM1 genotype, ORs were 1.60 (95%CI: 0.62-4.19) for never smokers with GSTM1 null type, 2.33 (95%CI 0.88-6.28) for smokers with normal GSTM1, and 8.06 (95%CI 2.83-23.67) for smokers with GSTM1 null type.

CONCLUSIONS: GSTM1 gene polymorphisms may be associated with genetic susceptibility of stomach cancer and may modulate tobacco-related carcinogenesis of gastric cancer.

• glutathione transferase/genetics
• genotype
• polymorphism (genetics)
• stomach neoplasm/genetics
• case control studies

• Adult
• Aged
• Case-Control Studies
• Female
• Genetic Predisposition to Disease
• Genotype
• Glutathione Transferase/genetics
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Polymorphism, Genetic
• Risk Factors
• Smoking/epidemiology
• Stomach Neoplasms/epidemiology
• Stomach Neoplasms/genetics

AIM: To explore the relationship between consumption of fish sauce and the risk of gastric cancer in Fujian Province.

METHODS: An ecological study was carried out. A total of 11000 subjects from 55 townships were randomly selected from 10 counties within Fujian Province. All subjects were local residents who had been living in Fujian Province for more than 20 years, within the age group of 45-74 years. Trained interviewers conducted face-to-face interviews with a standardized questionnaire, which covered the frequency and amount of food intake, dietary habit, tobacco and alcohol consumption and history of chronic gastric diseases. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using Epi-info and SAS statistical packages, respectively.

RESULTS: A significant correlation between monthly consumption of fish sauce and mortality of gastric cancer was found. Pearson’s coefficient of correlation was statistically significant with r = 0.7356 for males, r = 0.5246 for females (P < 0.01). In the multivariate analysis, consumption of fish sauce still showed an association with the risk of gastric cancer. No significant positive correlation between esophagus cancer, liver cancer, colon cancer and consumption of fish sauce were observed.

CONCLUSION: Long-term intake of fish sauce may be related to high mortality of gastric cancer. Consumption of fish sauce might be one of important and unique etiologic factors of gastric cancer in Fujian Province. Further studies are needed to confirm this ecological study.

• stomach neoplasm/etiology
• food habits
• risk factors
• nitrosamines
• epidemiology
• fish products
• fish sauce
• carcinogens