Impact of GSTT1 AND GSTM1 variants and hair mercury concentration in maternal blood pressure among coastal pregnant women in Central Java, Indonesia

• Published in: Reproductive toxicology (Elmsford, N.Y.) Vol. 125; p. 108574
• Main Authors: Armatussolikha, Herna Rizkia, Winarni, Tri Indah, Maharani, Nani, Dewantiningrum, Julian, Muniroh, Muflihatul
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.04.2024
• Subjects: Birth outcomes; Blood Pressure; Cardiovascular Diseases; Case-Control Studies; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Genotype; Glutathione Transferase - genetics; Glutathione Transferase - metabolism; GSTM1; GSTT1; Hair; Hair mercury; Homozygote; Humans; Hypertension - genetics; Indonesia - epidemiology; Mercury; Polymorphism, Genetic; Pregnancy; Pregnant People; Pregnant women; Sequence Deletion; Indonesia; GSTT1; Blood pressure; GSTM1; Birth outcomes; Pregnant women; Hair mercury
• ISSN: 0890-6238; 1873-1708; 1873-1708
• DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2024.108574

The GSTT1 and GSTM1 genes have a role in mercury metabolism and excretion, as well as blood pressure response, impacting birth outcomes. The present study assesses whether GSTT1 and GSTM1 deletion variants and maternal hair Hg concentration are associated with blood pressure and birth outcomes among the Indonesian coastal pregnant mother population. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 139 pregnant women in the Jepara coastal area of Central Java, Indonesia. Maternal characteristics during pregnancy, including blood pressure and birth outcomes, were collected. GSTT1 and GSTM1 gene variants were detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Hair Hg levels were measured using the reducing-vaporization mercury analyzer. The mean maternal hair Hg concentration was 0.727±0.558 μg/g. GSTT1 genotype homozygous deletion was found in 41.7% of subjects, while no GSTM1 deletion was found. No statistically significant difference was found between deletion and non-deletion groups for hair Hg. GSTT1 deletion genotype shows protection but is inconclusive toward diastolic hypertension (p=0.048, OR 0.285, CI 0.077–1.052) and insignificant with birth outcomes (all p>0.05). High hair Hg concentration and positive history of cardiovascular diseases increase the risk of systolic and diastolic hypertension during pregnancy with OR 6.871 (CI 95% 1.445–32.660) and 8.518 (CI 95% 2.126–34.125), respectively, while not in birth outcomes. Maternal Hg exposure and history of cardiovascular diseases are independent risk factors for pregnant hypertension, whereas the GSTT1 homozygous deletion genotype has no role in diastolic hypertension and birth outcomes among the Indonesian coastal pregnant mother population. •The median hair mercury level in coastal pregnant women was 0.585 (0.055–3.843) µg/g.•GSTT1 genotype homozygous deletion was found in 41.7% of subjects.•GSTT1 genotype homozygous deletion shows protection but inconclusive toward diastolic hypertension.•High mercury levels and heart disease history raise pregnancy hypertension risk.