Association of slow acetylator genotype of N-acetyltransferase 2 with Parkinson's disease in south Indian population.

ABSTRACT

AIM: Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder with predisposing genetic and environmental factors. The present study was undertaken to elucidate the possible association of NAT2 gene polymorphism in PD patients from south India. METHODS: Using previously validated PCR-RFLP assays, we genotyped 105 PD subjects and 101 healthy controls for N-acetyl transferase (NAT2) gene polymorphism. RESULTS: We observed a significantly elevated frequencies of NAT2 *5/6 (OR = 4.21; p < 0.029) and *5/7 (OR = 2.73; p < 0.025) genotypes and NAT2*5 (OR = 1.83; p < 0.039) allele among PD cases showing susceptible associations. The age at onset analysis revealed a significant association of NAT2 *4/6 (OR = 4.62; p < 0.05) genotype with early onset PD (EOPD). A positive association with early onset disease was observed for *5/7 (OR = 3.88; p < 0.075) genotype, however without statistical significance. Whereas, in late onset PD (LOPD) cases, significant susceptible association was observed for NAT2 *5/7 (OR = 5.27; p < 0.029) genotype. We observed a highly significant protective association of NAT2 *4/6 (OR = 0.27; p < 0.012) genotype and NAT2 *4 (OR = 0.52; p < 0.027) allele with LOPD. The acetylator status phenotype analysis have revealed a higher risk for, 'NAT2 slow acetylator' in both overall PD (OR = 2.39; p < 0.002) and LOPD (OR = 2.88; p < 0.007). However, 'NAT2 intermediate acetylator' with a lower risk in both overall PD (OR = 0.47; p < 0.011) and LOPD (OR = 0.36; p < 0.007) cases revealed protective associations. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, our results revealed the possible susceptible association of NAT2 slow acetylator in PD pathogenesis in south Indian population.