Association between genetic polymorphisms of telomere pathway genes and hydrogen peroxide level in omethoate exposure workers

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the association between genetic variations in telomere pathway genes and the level of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in omethoate exposure workers. Methods: A total of 180 omethoate exposure workers and 115 healthy controls were recruited. The level of H2O2 in plasma was determined with molybdenic acid colorimetry. Polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length was used to detect polymorphisms in POT1 rs1034794, POT1 rs10250202, TERF1 rs3863242, and TERT rs2736098. Results: The level of H2O2 in exposure group (4.26 +/- 0.71) was significantly higher than that in control group (3.29 +/- 0.46). Generalized linear models indicated that risk factors for the increase H2O2 level were exposure [beta(95 % CI) = 0.951 (0.806, 1.096), P < 0.001] and AA + AT genotype in POT1 rs034794 [beta(95 % CI) = 0.397 (0.049, 0.745), P = 0.025]. Conclusion: The increase H2O2 level was associated with omethoate exposure and AA + AT genotypes in POT1 gene rs1034794. It provided a new idea that polymorphisms in telomere pathway genes may indirectly regulate telomere length by influencing oxidative stress.