Membranous nephropathy, hydrocarbon exposure and genetic variants of hydrocarbon detoxification

Modulation of biotransformation by genetic traits may be important in determining environmentally‐induced nephrotoxicity. We conducted a case‐control study to investigate the role of occupational hydrocarbon exposure, along with polymorphisms of the genes coding for N‐acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) and glutathione S‐transferase μ (GSTμ), in the development of idiopathic membranous glomerulonephritis (IMGN). Patients (n=36) with biopsy‐proven IMGN were matched with healthy controls for age, gender, and geographical area. Lifetime hydrocarbon exposure was assessed by a validated questionnaire. The polymorphisms of the NAT2 and GSTμ genes (GSTM1) were defined by use of a polymerase chain reaction on white‐cell DNA from peripheral blood. Exposure to hydrocarbons was significantly greater in patients with IMGN than in controls (mean±SEM hydrocarbon exposure score 11 003±2955.7 vs. 4352±1418, p