Catalase and PPAR gamma 2 genotype and risk of systemic lupus erythematosus in Koreans

Catalase (CAT) and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma 2 (PPAR gamma 2) are important regulators of oxidative stress and inflammation, which may contribute to the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of genetic polymorphisms of CAT and PPAR gamma 2 on risk and severity of SLE in a Korean population. DNA was isolated from blood samples collected from 345 patients with SLE and 400 controls. Genotyping for the - 262C -> T polymorphism of CAT and the Pro12Ala polymorphisin of PPAR gamma 2 were performed by PCR-RFLP analysis. The severity of SLE was assessed using the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology (SLICC/ACR) damage index (SDI). No association was observed between genotypes for any of the clinical manifestations of SLE. CAT and PPAR gamma 2 genotypes were not associated with either risk or severity of SLE. For subjects who were carriers of the high activity T allele for CAT and have the Pro/Pro genotype for PPAR gamma 2, the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for risk of SLE was 0.45 (0.23-1.08). Our results suggest that genetic polymorphisms of CAT and PPAR gamma 2 do not play a significant role in the development of SLE in a Korean population. A possible protective effect of a combined genotype warrants further investigation.