AIM Glutathione S-transferases(GSTs)are involved inthe detoxification of many potential carcinogens andappear to play a critical role in the protection from theeffects of carcinogens.The contribution of glutathione S-transferases M1 and T1 genotypes to susceptibility to therisk of gastric cancer and their interaction with cigarettesmoking are still unclear.The aim of this study was todetermine whether there was any relationship betweengenetic polymorphisms of GSTM1 and GSTT1 and gastriccancer.METHODS A population based case-control study wascarried out in a high-risk area,Changle County,FujianProvince,China.The epidemiological data were collectedby a standard questionnaire and blood samples wereobtained from 95 incidence gastric cancer cases and 94healthy controls.A polymerase chain reaction methodwas used to detect the presence or absence of the GSTM1and GSTT1 genes in genomic DNA.Logistic regressionmodel was employed in the data analysis.RESULTS An increase in risk for gastric cancer wasfound among carriers of GSTM1 null genotype.Theadjusted odds ratio(OR)was 2.63[95% ConfidenceInterval(95% Cl)1.17-5.88],after controlling for age,gender,cigarette smoking,alcohol drinking,and fishsauce intake.The frequency of GSTT1 null genotype incancer cases(43.16%)was not significantly differentfrom that in controls(50.00%).However,the risk forgastric cancer in those with GSTM1 null and GSTT1 non-null genotype was significantly higher than in those withboth GSTM1 and GSTT1 non-null genotype(OR = 2.77,95% Cl 1.15-6.77).Compared with those subjects whonever smoked and had normal GSTM1 genotype,ORswere 1.60 (95% Cl:0.62-4.19)for never smokers withGSTM1 null type,2.33 (95% Cl 0.88-6.28)for smokerswithnormal GSTM1,and 8.06(95% Cl 2.83-23.67)forsmokers with GSTM1 null type.CONCLUSIONS GSTM1 gene polymorphisms may beassociated with genetic susceptibility of stomach cancer and may modulate tobacco-related carcinogenesis ofgastric cancer. AIM Glutathione S-transferases(GSTs)are involved inthe detoxification of many potential carcinogens andappear to play a critical role in the protection from the effectss of carcinogens.The contribution of glutathione S-transferases M1 and T1 genotypes to susceptibility to therisk of gastric cancer and their Interaction with cigarettesmoking are still unclear.The aim of this study was todetermine whether there was any relationship betweengenetic polymorphisms of GSTM1 and GSTT1 and gastriccancer.METHODS A population based case-control study wascarried out in a high-risk area,Changle County,Fujian Province, China.The epidemiological data were collected by a standard questionnaire and blood samples wereobtained from 95 glowing gastric cancer cases and 94healthy controls.A polymerase chain reaction method was used to detect the presence or absence of the GSTM1and GSTT1 genes in genomic DNA.Logistic regressionmodel was employed in The data analysis.RESULTS An increase in risk for gastric cancer Wasfound among carriers of GSTM1 null genotype.Theadjusted odds ratio(OR)was 2.63[95% ConfidenceInterval(95% Cl)1.17-5.88], after controlling for age,gender,cigarette smoking,alcohol drinking,and fishsauce intake.The frequency of GSTT1 null genotype incancer cases(43.16%)was not significantly differentfrom that in controls(50.00%).However,the risk forgastric 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% Cl 1.15-6.77).Compared with those subjects whonever smoked and had normal GSTM1 genotype,ORswere 1.60 (95% Cl:0.62-4.19)for never smokers with GSTM1 null type,2.33 (95% Cl 0.88-6.28)for smokerswithnormal GSTM1,and 8.06(95% Cl 2.83-23.67)forsmokers with GSTM1 null type.CONCLUSIONS GSTM1 gene polymorphisms may beassociated with genetic susceptibility of stomach cancer and may modulate tobacco-related carcinogenesis ofgastric cancer.