Pai P, Hindell P, Stevenson A, Mason H, Bell GM
Human genotypic polymorphisms and susceptibility to hydrocarbon (HC)- assocaited glomerulonephritis
Am Soc Nephrol
J Am Soc Nephrol (abstract) (Sep) 7:1340 1996

Hydrocarbons and solvents are known to cause acute renal failure. Acute tubular necrosis has been reported following accidental, occupational and medicinal exposure. Abusive sniffing of volatile organic solvents may also cause renal failure. The glomerular effects of hydrocarbons have not been well established or characterized.

These authors tested the hypothesis that genetic variations in metabolic enzymes influence susceptibility to hydrocarbon induced glomerulopathy. They measured hydrocarbon exposure by questionnaire and genotypic polymorphism of cytochrome P450 2D6, glutathione S- transferase Mu and Theta, and N-acetyl-transferase in 41 patients with biopsy proven glomerulonephritis. Patients with glomerulonephritis had more exposure to hydrocarbons by questionnaire than did a control group of 60 healthy controls. There were no genotypic differences between patients and controls. There were some differences in glutathione S- transferase Mu and N-acetyl-transferase genotypes in patients with membranous nephropathy compared to controls.

Comment: This intriguing study shows an association between chronic glomerular pathology and exposure to hydrocarbons. The study design does not allow the conclusion that the relationship is causal nor is there support of the hypothesis that the measured genetic polymorphisms are related in any way to increased susceptibility. There remains little evidence of specific glomerular injury from chronic hydrocarbon exposure. (George R. Aronoff, M.D., University of Louisville, Kentucky)

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