The causality of atrial fibrillation on frailty index: A Mendelian randomization study.

Prior epidemiological research has indicated a possible association between atrial fibrillation (AF) and frailty status. Our study used Mendelian randomization to estimate its causality. The genome-wide association studies for AF were utilized as the exposure for individuals included in the UK Biobank (n = 463,010) and publicly available summary statistics data sets of genome-wide association studies meta-analyses for frailty index in individuals of European descent (n = 175,226) was used as the outcome. The inverse variance weighting method was utilized to evaluate causality. To further confirm the reliability of the results, sensitivity analyses were conducted. The inverse variance weighting analysis indicated that the presence of AF was found to be statistically linked to an increased risk of frailty (odds ratio = 3.017, CI: 1.106-8.232, P = .031). MR-Egger intercept test indicated no pleiotropy (Egger intercept = .002, P = .808). The leave-one-out method indicated that the individual SNPs did not have an impact on the robustness of the findings. The research implies a causal relationship between AF and frailty. Early detection and timely intervention of AF can control the occurrence of frailty.

Intraventricular Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism Post-Nuss Procedure: A Rare Case of Chronic Bar Displacement in a 16-Year-Old Patient.

This novel report presents the first known case, to our knowledge, of a 16-year-old male patient who experienced intraventricular thrombosis and pulmonary embolism after a Nuss procedure for pectus excavatum, attributed to chronic bar displacement. Two years after the operation, the patient experienced post-exercise cough and hemoptysis, which led to his admission. Imaging revealed pulmonary embolism, thrombosis in the right ventricular outflow tract, and lung infiltrative lesions. We hypothesize that the chronic bar displacement led to its embedment in the right ventricle, resulting in thrombus formation, which subsequently contributed to partial pulmonary embolism. Surgery revealed the bars' intrusion into the right ventricle and lung. This case highlights the risk of severe complications from bar displacement in the Nuss procedure, which necessitates long-term follow-up evaluation, caution against strenuous activities after surgery, and use of thoracoscopic guidance during bar implantation and removal. It underscores the importance of vigilant evaluation for late-stage complications in patients with respiratory distress or thrombosis after a Nuss procedure.

Murine double minute 2-mediated estrogen receptor 1 degradation activates macrophage migration inhibitory factor to promote vascular smooth muscle cell dedifferentiation and oxidative stress during thoracic aortic aneurysm progression.

Estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) has been recently demonstrated as a potential diagnostic biomarker for thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA). However, its precise role in the progression of TAA remains unclear. In this study, TAA models were established in ApoE-knockout mice and primary mouse vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) through treatment with angiotensin (Ang) II. Our findings revealed a downregulation of ESR1 in Ang II-induced TAA mice and VSMCs. Upregulation of ESR1 mitigated expansion and cell apoptosis in the mouse aorta, reduced pathogenetic transformation of VSMCs, and reduced inflammatory infiltration and oxidative stress both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we identified macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) as a biological target of ESR1. ESR1 bound to the MIF promoter to suppress its transcription. Artificial MIF restoration negated the mitigating effects of ESR1 on TAA. Additionally, we discovered that murine double minute 2 (MDM2) was highly expressed in TAA models and mediated protein degradation of ESR1 through ubiquitination modification. Silencing of MDM2 reduced VSMC dedifferentiation and suppressed oxidative stress. However, these effects were reversed upon further silencing of ESR1. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that MDM2 activates MIF by mediating ESR1 degradation, thus promoting VSMC dedifferentiation and oxidative stress during TAA progression.

Development and internal validation of a prediction model for acute kidney injury following cardiac valve replacement surgery.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication after cardiac surgery. This study aims to develop and validate a risk model for predicting AKI after cardiac valve replacement surgery. METHODS: Data from patients undergoing surgical valve replacement between January 2015 and December 2018 in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. The subjects were randomly divided into a derivation cohort and a validation cohort at a ratio of 7:3. The primary outcome was defined as AKI within 7 days after surgery. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to select risk predictors for developing the prediction model. Receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC), calibration plot and clinical decision curve analysis (DCA) will be used to evaluate the discrimination, precision and clinical benefit of the prediction model. RESULTS: A total of 1159 patients were involved in this study. The prevalence of AKI following surgery was 37.0% (429/1159). Logistic regression analysis showed that age, hemoglobin, fibrinogen, serum uric acid, cystatin C, bicarbonate, and cardiopulmonary bypass time were independent risk factors associated with AKI after surgical valve replacement (all P < 0.05). The areas under the ROC curves (AUCs) in the derivation cohort and the validation cohort were 0.777 (95% CI 0.744-0.810) and 0.760 (95% CI 0.706-0.813), respectively. The calibration plots indicated excellent consistency between the prediction probability and actual probability. DCA demonstrated great clinical benefit of the prediction model. CONCLUSIONS: We developed a prediction model for predicting AKI after cardiac valve replacement surgery that was internally validated to have good discrimination, calibration, and clinical practicability.

Progress of Research into the Interleukin-1 Family in Cardiovascular Disease.

Inflammatory factors, such as the IL-1 family, are generally acknowledged to be involved in systemic diseases and IL-1α and IL-1ß, in particular, have been linked to cardiovascular disease with IL-18, IL-33, IL-36, IL-37 and IL-38 yet to be explored. The current review aims to summarize mechanisms of IL-18, IL-33, IL-36, IL-37 and IL-38 in myocardial infarction, hypertension, arrhythmia, valvular disease and aneurysm and to explore the potential for cardiovascular disease treatment strategies and discuss future directions for prevention and treatment.

Sufentanil: a risk factor for lactic acidosis in patients after heart valve surgery.

BACKGROUNDS: Hyperlactatemia is a common metabolic disorder after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Epinephrine use has been identified as a potential cause of increased lactate levels after cardiac surgery. Stress can lead to an increase in catecholamines, mainly epinephrine, in the body. Exogenous epinephrine causes hyperlactatemia, whereas endogenous epinephrine released by stress may have the same effect. Opioids are the most effective anesthetics to suppress the stress response in the body. The authors sought to provide evidence through a retrospective data analysis that helps investigate the relationship between intraoperative opioid dosage and postoperative lactic acidosis after cardiac surgery. METHODS: The clinical data of 215 patients who underwent valvular heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass from July 2016 to July 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. Blood lactate levels were measured at 0.1 h, 2 h, 4 h, and 8 h after surgery. Patients with continuous increases in lactate levels and lactate levels exceeding 5 mmol/L at two or more time points were included in the lactic acidosis group, whereas the other patients were included in the control group. First, univariate correlation analysis was used to identify parameters that were significantly different between the two groups, and then multivariate regression analysis was conducted to elucidate the independent risk factors for lactic acidosis. Fifty-one pairs of patients were screened by propensity score matching analysis (PSM). Then, lactic acid levels at four time points in both groups were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: he EF (heart ejection fraction) (OR = 0.94, P = 0.003), aortic occlusion time (OR = 10.17, P < 0.001) and relative infusion rate (OR = 2.23, P = 0.01) of sufentanil was an independent risk factor for lactic acidosis after valvular heart surgery. The patients were further divided into two groups with the mean sufentanil infusion rate as the reference point. The data were filtered with PSM (Propensity Score Matching). Lactic acid values in both groups peaked at 4 h after surgery and then declined. The rate of lactic acid decline was significantly faster in the group with a higher sufentanil dosage than in the lower group. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). There was also a significant difference in lactic acid levels at the four time points (0.1 h, 2 h, 4 h and 8 h after surgery) in both groups (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The inadequate intraoperative infusion rate of sufentanil is an independent risk factor for lactic acidosis after heart valve surgery. The possibility of lactic acidosis caused by this factor after cardiac surgery should be considered, which is helpful for postoperative patient management.

Bioinformatics Analysis Reveals Hub Genes That May Reduce Inflammation and Complications After Cardiopulmonary Bypass.

Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), though indispensable in many cardiac surgery procedures, has several undesirable consequences. The aim of this study was to identify potential genes that may reduce the inflammatory response and complications after CPB. The GSE132176 dataset was selected from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and included 10 patients with tetralogy of Fallot and 10 patients with an atrial septal defect who underwent CPB surgery. TSV files were downloaded after GEO2R processing. Protein-protein interaction analysis of common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) was performed using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes. Gene modules and hub genes were visualized in the protein-protein interaction network using Cytoscape. Enrichment analysis was performed for all important DEGs, modular genes, and hub genes. A total of 72 DEGs were screened, including two functional and one hub gene module. FOS modular genes were primarily enriched in NGF-stimulated transcription, spinal cord injury, and PID AP1 pathway. The ATF3 modular gene was mainly enriched in cytomegalovirus infection and transcriptional misregulation in cancer. Hub gene modules were primarily enriched in the PID AP1 pathway, positive regulation of pri-miRNA transcription by RNA polymerase II, and the PID ATF2 pathway. FOS, JUN, ATF3, and EGR1 were the four most important hub genes; the top three hub genes were involved in the formation of AP-1 and enriched in the AP-1 pathway. Finally, we measured the expression levels of these four genes in patients undergoing CPB via qRT-PCR, and the results were consistent with those obtained in bioinformatic analysis. FOS, JUN, ATF3, and EGR1 and the AP-1 pathway may play key roles in inflammation and complications caused by CPB.

Circular RNA PVT1 silencing prevents ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat by targeting microRNA-125b and microRNA-200a.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are essential regulators associated with many cardiac conditions, including myocardial infarction (MI). This study aimed to explore circRNA expression during MI development in an animal model and in hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-treated cardiomyocytes. Microarray and real-time quantitative PCR showed that the circRNA PVT1 (circPVT1) was expressed at high levels in MI tissues and H/R-triggered cardiomyocytes. Loss-of-function assays were utilized for examining the influence of circPVT1 on cardiac function and cardiomyocyte properties. Cardiac function was measured by echocardiography at 7 d after MI. Reduced circPVT1 expression significantly decreased MI-triggered myocardial infarct size by 60% and prevented MI-triggered reductions in fractional shortening (%FS) and ejection fraction (EF%). Results of LDH, CCK-8, EdU staining, colony formation assays, and flow cytometry showed that circPVT1 silencing restored cell viability and proliferation while decreased apoptosis. Mechanistic experiments indicated that microRNAs (miR)-125b and miR-200a associated with circPVT1. We demonstrated that circPVT1 functioned as a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) to sponge both miR-125b and miR-200a. Gain-of-function assays showed that miR-125b and miR-200a upregulation partially eliminated the effects of circPVT1 on cardiomyocyte properties. In addition, we found that the previously reported p53/TRAF6, SIRT7, Keap1/Nrf2, and PDCD4 pathways were regulated by the circPVT1/miR-125b/miR-200a axis. In conclusion, our study suggests that circPVT1 protects the myocardium from MI and H/R injury by preventing miR-125b- and miR-200a-mediated apoptotic signaling.

Deficiency of Interleukin-36 Receptor Protected Cardiomyocytes from Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Cardiopulmonary Bypass.

BACKGROUND Interleukin-36 has been demonstrated to be involved in inflammatory responses. Inflammatory responses due to ischemia-reperfusion injury following cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) can cause heart dysfunction or damage. MATERIAL AND METHODS The CPB models were constructed in IL-36R-/-, IL-36RN-/-, and wild-type SD rats. Ultrasonic cardiography and ELISA were used to evaluate the cardiac function and measuring myocardial biomarker levels in different groups. TUNEL assay was used to evaluate apoptosis. Western blot assays and RT-PCR were performed to measure the expression of chemokines and secondary inflammatory cytokines in the heart. Oxidative stress in tissue and cultured cells was assessed using a DCFH-DA fluorescence probe and quantification of superoxide dismutase activity. RESULTS Improved systolic function and decreased serum levels of myocardial damage biomarkers were found in IL-36R-/- rats compared to WT rats, while worse cardiac function and cardiomyocyte IR injury were observed in IL-36RN-/- rats compared to WT rats. TUNEL staining and Western blot analyses found that cardiomyocyte apoptosis and inflammation were significantly lower in the hearts of IL-36R-/- rats compared with that of WT rats. Oxidative stress was significantly lower in IL-36R-/- rats compared to WT rats. iNOS expression was significantly reduced, while eNOS expression was increased in the hearts of IL-36R-/- rats. Silencing of IL-36R expression in vitro activated SIRT1/FOXO1/p53 signaling in cardiomyocytes. CONCLUSIONS IL-36R deficiency in cardiomyocytes repressed infiltration of bone marrow-derived inflammatory cells and oxidative stress dependent on SIRT1-FOXO1 signaling, thus protecting cardiomyocytes and improving cardiac function in CPB model rats.

The more potential performance of nidogen 2 methylation by tissue or plasma DNA over brichoalveolar lavage DNA in diagnosis of nonsmall cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the leading incidence and mortality of malignant tumors worldwide. While aberrant DNA methylation is a frequent event occurred during NSCLC carcinogenesis and development, therefore holding the potential to predict the process of tumor development. This study aims to explore the feasibility of gene nidogen 2 (NID2) as the diagnostic biomarker for NSCLC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Quantitative methylation specific polymerase chain reaction of NID2 has been done among the following sample panels: For tissue methylation evaluation, we collected 96 cases of NSCLC versus 18 cases of noncancerous lung lesions (NCLLs); 46 from the 96 NSCLC patients also provided DNA of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and plasma sample, the methylation status of which are assessed against 12 cases of NCLL for BAL and 30 cases of NCLL for plasma samples, respectively. RESULTS: The methylation rate of NID2 in NSCLC versus NCLL is evaluated as: In tissue 59.40% versus 16.67%, (P = 0.0001); in BAL 30.43% versus 16.67% (P = 0.1640); in plasma 45.65% versus 20.00% (P = 0.0191). CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed the frequent occurrence of aberrant NID2 methylation in NSCLC and peripheral blood, which might be useful as a biomarker to predict NSCLC or to screen the high-risk population for NSCLC.

Generation of a Graft versus Anticancer Immune Response Through Skin Allograft with Tumor.

Effector memory T cells (TEM) are a subset of memory T cells which play an important role in stimulation of adaptive immunity. Although they are associated with multiple immune responses, the antitumor effect of TEM is not clearly understood. In this research, generation of anti-tumor TEM was induced through skin allografts in C57BL/6 mice with B16 melanoma. We observed that the growth of tumor tissues in C57BL/6 mice treated with allografts was interrupted. Furthermore, the survival time for the treated mice was prolonged along with increased serum levels for CXCL9, CXCL10 and INF-γ. Additionally, the concentrations of TEM in the spleens, lymph nodes and tumor tissues were markedly elevated in allografts treated mice. The tumor cell proliferation and tissue growth were suppressed in C57BL/6 mice with B16 melanoma induced by allografts, upon tail vein injection of purified TEM. These results demonstrate that skin allografts promote the generation of anti-tumor TEM in C57BL/6 mice with B16 melanoma, which emphasize the strong promise of TEM stimulation using allografts transplants in effective tumor immunotherapy.

Efficient targeted tumor imaging and secreted endostatin gene delivery by anti-CD105 immunoliposomes.

BACKGROUND: Anti-CD105 mAb-conjugated immunoliposomes, loaded with secreted mouse endostatin gene, were developed for targeted tumor imaging and antiangiogenic gene therapy. METHODS: The liposomes were investigated for size, zeta-potential, lipid content, antibody binding ability, and pcDNA loading capacity. The ability of immunoliposomes to target tumor-derived endothelial cells and perform gene transfer in vitro was measured and their basic biocompatibility was evaluated. A nude mouse/breast cancer xenograft model was used to examine the tumor internalization of fluorescent-labeled liposomes and the clinical potential of immnuoliposomes loaded with pcDNA3.1-CSF1-endostatin. RESULTS: Loaded immunoliposomes were homogenously distributed with a well-defined spherical shape and bilayer, diameter of 122 ± 11 nm, and zeta potential + 1.40 mV. No significant differences were observed in body weight, liver index, oxidative stress, or liver and kidney function in mice after liposomes exposure. The addition of CD105 mAb to liposomes conferred the ability to target tumor-derived endothelial cells in vitro and in vivo. Systemic intravenous administration of fluorescent immunoliposomes in the xenograft model resulted in selective and efficient internalization in tumor vasculature. Treatment of mice with pcDNA3.1-CSF1-endostatin-loaded immunoliposomes suppressed tumor growth by 71%. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate the advantages of using anti-CD105 mAb-conjugated immunoliposomes to enhance tumor targeting, imaging, and gene transfer applications.

[Endovascular treatment of a rare type of aortic arch aneurysm derived from the fourth aortic arch].

OBJECTIVE: To report a rare type of aortic arch aneurysm. METHODS: Three cases of aortic arch aneurysm derived from the fourth aortic arch were retrospectively analyzed. The pathogenesis and treatment of this type of aortic arch aneurysm were investigated. RESULTS: Most of the aneurysm body was located in the Z2 zone, which was the stem from the fourth aortic arch in the embryonic development period. All of the 3 cases could not be explained by common etiology. We speculated that the cause might be developmental anomaly of the fourth aortic arch. All the 3 aortic arch aneurysms were totally excluded with a covered stent. The technical success rate was 100%. Endoleak of type I was seen in one case, which was resolved in a later open surgery. During the follow-up, no type of complications was found. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of this type of aortic arch aneurysm. The cause may be developmental anomaly of the fourth aortic arch. Endovascular treatment of this type of aortic arch aneurysm is feasible.

Association of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene polymorphism with lung cancer risk: a systematic review.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a member of the tyrosine kinase receptor family, which is thought to be involved in the development of cancer, as the EGFR gene is often amplified, and/or mutated in cancer cells. Lung cancer remains one of the most major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, accounting for more deaths than any other cancer cause. Gene polymorphism factor has been reported to be an important factor which increases the susceptibility of lung cancer. There lacks a well-documented diagnostic approach for the lung cancer risk, and the etiology of lung cancer is not clear. The current systematic review was performed to explore the association of EGFR gene polymorphism with lung cancer risk. In this review, association of EGFR 181946C > T, 8227G > A gene polymorphism with lung cancer was found, and EGFR Short genotype of cytosine adenine repeat number polymorphism was significantly associated with an increased risk of lung cancer.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between angiotensin II type 1 receptor A1166C gene polymorphism and myocardial infarction susceptibility.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Many reported studies have been conducted to investigate the association of angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) A1166C gene polymorphism with myocardial infarction (MI) susceptibility. However, the results from those reports are still conflicting. This meta-analysis was performed to study the relationship between AT1R A1166C gene polymorphism and MI risk. METHOD: The databases of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched as of 1 March 2012, and eligible investigations were recruited into this meta-analysis. RESULTS: Eighteen investigations were identified for the analysis of association between AT1R A1166C gene polymorphism and MI risk, 11 in Caucasians, three in Asians, two in Africans, one in the population of Brazil and one in the population of Durban, South Africa . There was a marked association between AT1R C allele and MI susceptibility for overall populations (odds ratio (OR)=1.12, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01-1.25, p=0.03), and AT1R AA genotype was associated with a lower risk of MI in overall populations (OR=0.87, 95% CI: 0.78-0.98, p=0.02). However, AT1R A1166C gene polymorphism was not associated with MI risk in the sub-groups of Caucasians, Asians, Africans, Brazil and Durban populations. CONCLUSIONS: C allele is a risk factor for the MI susceptibility in overall populations, and AA genotype might be a protective factor against the MI risk in overall populations. However, more case-control association investigations on larger, stratified populations are required in the future.

A meta-analysis of the relationship between glutathione S-transferase T1 null/presence gene polymorphism and the risk of lung cancer including 31802 subjects.

The relationship between glutathione S-transferase T1 (GSTT1) null/presence gene polymorphism and the risk of lung cancer from the published reports are still conflicting. This study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between GSTT1 null/presence gene polymorphism and the risk of lung cancer using meta-analysis method. The association studies were identified from PubMed, and Cochrane Library on July 1, 2012, and eligible investigations were included and synthesized using meta-analysis method. 51 reports were recruited into this meta-analysis for the association of null genotype of GSTT1 with lung cancer susceptibility, consisting of 15,140 patients with lung cancer and 16,662 controls. There was a marked association between GSTT1 null genotype and lung cancer risk in overall populations (OR = 1.15, 95 % CI 1.04-1.27, P = 0.007). Furthermore, GSTT1 null genotype was associated with the lung cancer risk in Asians (OR = 1.47, 95 % CI 1.23-1.76, P < 0.0001). However, GSTT1 null genotype was not associated with the risk of lung cancer in Caucasians, Brazilian population and Africans. In conclusion, GSTT1 null genotype is associated with the lung cancer in overall populations and in Asians.

A meta-analysis of the association between glutathione S-transferase P1 gene polymorphism and the risk of adenocarcinomas of lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Results of the published reports on the relationship between glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) gene polymorphism and the adenocarcinomas of lung cancer are still debated. OBJECTIVE: This meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the association between GSTP1 A/G gene polymorphism and the risk of adenocarcinomas of lung cancer. METHODS: The association investigations were identified from PubMed and Cochrane Library, and eligible studies were included and synthesized using meta-analysis method. RESULTS: 16 reports were included into this meta-analysis for the association of GSTP1 A/G gene polymorphism and the risk of adenocarcinomas of lung cancer. The G allele and GG genotype were not associated with the susceptibility of risk of adenocarcinomas. Furthermore, in the sensitivity analysis, the results were similar with those from the non-sensitivity analysis. CONCLUSIONS: GSTP1 G allele or GG genotype is not a biomarker to be associated with the susceptibility of adenocarcinomas of lung cancer.

Association of glutathione S-transferase P1 gene polymorphism with the histological types of lung cancer: a meta-analysis.

The conclusions of the published reports on the relationship between glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) A/G gene polymorphism and the histological types of lung cancer are still debated. GSTP1 is one of the important mutant sites reported at present. This meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the association between GSTP1 and histological types of lung cancer. The association investigations were identified from PubMed and Cochrane Library, and eligible studies were included and synthesized using meta-analysis method. Seventeen reports were included into this meta-analysis for the association of GSTP1 A/G gene polymorphism and histological types of lung cancer. The G allele and GG genotype were not associated with the susceptibility of risk of squamous cell carcinomas, adenocarcinomas, small cell carcinoma, non-small cell carcinoma or large cell carcinoma. However, in the sub-group analysis, there was an association between G allele/GG genotype with the risk of squamous cell carcinomas in East-Asians and GG genotype was associated with the risk of small cell carcinoma in Caucasians. In conclusion, GSTP1 A/G gene polymorphism is not associated with the susceptibility of squamous cell carcinomas, adenocarcinomas, small cell carcinoma, non-small cell carcinoma or large cell carcinoma.

Lack of association of glutathione S-transferase M3 gene polymorphism with the susceptibility of lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The conclusions of published reports on the relationship between the glutathione S-transferase M3 (GSTM3) A/B gene polymorphism and the risk of lung cancer are still debated. This meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the association between GSTM3 and the risk of lung cancer. METHODS: Association investigations were identified from PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library, and eligible studies were included and synthesized using a meta-analysis method. RESULTS: Eight reports were included into this meta-analysis for the association of GSTM3 A/B gene polymorphism and lung cancer susceptibility, covering 1,854 patients with lung cancer and 1,926 controls. No association between the GSTM3 A/B gene polymorphism and lung cancer was found in this meta-analysis (B allele: OR = 1.25, 95% CI: 0.89-1.76, P = 0.20; BB genotype: OR = 1.53, 95% CI: 0.71-3.32, P = 0.28; AA genotype: OR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.59-1.23, P = 0.39). CONCLUSIONS: The GSTM3 A/B gene polymorphism is not associated with lung cancer susceptibility. However, more studies on the relationship between GSTM3 A/B gene polymorphism and the risk of lung cancer should be performed in the future.