Association of FAS gene polymorphisms with the risk of noise-induced hearing loss in Chinese occupational workers

Introduction The FAS gene, as a core regulator of the cell apoptosis pathway, has attracted considerable attention for its potential role in maintaining the homeostasis of inner ear hair cells and resisting noise-induced oxidative damage. This study aims to explore and verify the relationship between FAS gene polymorphisms and NIHL susceptibility. Subjects and methods In this case-control study, a total of 364 noise-exposed workers were enrolled, comprising 156 NIHL cases and 208 normal-hearing controls.Genotyping of SNP loci in the FAS gene was performed using the MassArray system. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between the identified SNPs and the susceptibility to noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Results The genotype distributions in both groups were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Multivariate logistic regression analysis after adjustment for confounders showed that the T allele at the rs1468063 locus was associated with a significantly increased risk of NIHL compared to the C allele (OR = 1.79, 95% CI = 1.32–2.44, p < 0.001). In the codominant model, individuals with the CT (OR=2.14) and TT (OR = 3.86) genotypes had a higher risk compared to those with the CC genotype. Consistent with this, the recessive model (TT vs. CC + CT) also indicated that the TT genotype conferred a higher risk (OR = 2.27); for rs1800682 locus, the increased risks of NIHL were associated with G allele compared with A allele, the risk of NIHL was 2.81-fold higher in individuals with the GG genotype compared with those with the AA genotype. Conclusion T allele at rs1468063 and G allele at rs1800682 of FAS gene were independently associated with the increased risk for NIHL, and these alleles may be potential biomarkers for early identification and risk stratification to NIHL.