Role of polymorphisms of antioxidant genes and xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes in the development of genetic sensitivity to industrial pollutants: a literature review

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UDC: 
577:575
DOI: 
10.21668/health.risk/2026.3.17.eng
Authors: 

D.R. Shaikhova1, A.M. Kikot1, I.A. Bereza1, M.P. Sutunkova1,2

Organization: 

1Yekaterinburg Medical Research Center for Prophylaxis and Health Protection in Industrial Workers, 30 Popov St., Yekaterinburg, 620014, Russian Federation
2Ural State Medical University, 3 Repin St., Yekaterinburg, 620028, Russian Federation

Abstract: 

Polymorphisms of antioxidant genes and xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes largely determine individual sensitivity to industrial and environmental pollutants. This study aims to examine and systematize current knowledge on the role of poly-morphisms of antioxidant genes and xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes in the development of genetic sensitivity to industrial pollutants. We conducted an in-depth search for scientific publications in the eLIBRARY.RU, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases and selected 32 papers for inclusion in this review. We found that the studies generally focus on certain functional classes of genes: phase I biotransformation, phase II biotransformation, antioxidant defense, and regulatory factors. It should be noted that they either examine the exposure – disease relationship or aim to identify the interplay between various polymorphisms, ROS, and regulatory networks.

Aggregated data prove that polymorphisms of antioxidant and xenobiotic-metabolizing genes modify the risk and severity of diseases related to industrial pollutants. There remain, however, methodological challenges, such as heterogeneity of study designs, differences in exposure assessment, ethnic specificity of allele frequencies, and the potential influence of polygenic background. The investigation of polymorphisms in antioxidant defense genes and the xenobiotic biotransformation system is of fundamental importance for understanding why some individuals and occupatinal groups are more susceptible to exposure to industrial and environmental pollutants. This knowledge allows for the development of a concept of genetically determined susceptibility, refinement of risk assessment, and the foundation for personalized prevention in environmental and occupational health.

Keywords: 
polymorphisms, antioxidant system, xenobiotic biotransformation, regulatory factors, industrial pollution, diseases, literature review, genetic susceptibility
Shaikhova D.R., Kikot A.M., Bereza I.A., Sutunkova M.P. Role of polymorphisms of antioxidant genes and xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes in the development of genetic sensitivity to industrial pollutants: A literature review. Health Risk Analysis, 2026, no. 3, pp. 184–191. DOI: 10.21668/health.risk/2026.3.17.eng
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Received: 
10.03.2026
Approved: 
27.04.2026
Accepted for publication: 
27.09.2026

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