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Pi*S and Pi*Z alpha 1 antitrypsin polymorphism and the risk for asbestosis in occupational exposure to asbestos
M J Lafuente1, X Casterad, N Laso
1Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, IDIBAPS, Casanova 143, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain.
Abstract:
Alpha 1 antitrypsin is a highly polymorphic anti-elastase enzyme, especially active in the protection of alveoli and liver. Here we studied the distribution of two deficient alleles Pi*Z and Pi* S, in 194 asbestos workers, of whom 100 were asbestosis cases, and 94 were controls without disease (exposed controls, EC). A second group of controls without asbestos exposure (non-exposed controls, NEC; n=122) was also included. Multivariate analysis adjusted by age and smoking habit showed ninefold risk for asbestosis in Pi*Z heterozygous individuals and 5.9-fold risk for Pi*S homozygous although differences were only significant in the first case (cases vs. EC: OR 8.9; p=0.04). Considering both genotypes (Pi*Z heterozygous, Pi*S homozygous) we obtained an OR of 8 (p=0.01). Our results suggest that the alpha 1 antitrypsin polymorphisms, especially Pi*Z, could help to predict asbestosis risk and confirm the high prevalence of the Pi*S allele in Spain.
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