Meta-analysis of associations between MTHFR and GST polymorphisms and susceptibility to multiple sclerosis

We examined whether methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to multiple sclerosis (MS). We performed a meta-analysis on the association between MS and the following genotypes: MTHFR C677T, A1298C, and GSTP1 A313G polymorphisms, and GSTM1 and GSTT1 null alleles. Fifteen comparisons involving 2,486 patients and 2,861 controls were considered. Meta-analysis of all study subjects considered together showed no association between MS and the MTHFR 677 T allele (OR = 1.014, 95 % CI 0.803–1.280, p = 0.909). Stratification by ethnicity showed no similar association in Caucasian and Arab populations. Likewise, no link was found between MS and the MTHFR 1298 C allele in the total data (OR = 2.477, 95 % CI 0.507–12.10, p = 0.263), nor when it was stratified by ethnicity. No association with MS was observed in relation to the GSTM1 null genotype in Caucasian populations (OR = 1.229, 95 % CI 0.693–2.181, p = 0.481), nor with the GSTP1 A313G polymorphism (OR for G allele = 1.133, 95 % CI 0.903–1.421, p = 0.281). However, there was an association between MS and the GSTT1 null genotype in data obtained from Caucasian populations (OR = 1.945, 95 % CI 1.452–2.605, p = 8.6 × 10−7). GSTT1 null genotype is associated with MS in Caucasian populations; however, no association was found between MS and polymorphisms of MTHFR, GSTM1, and GSTP1.