Ethnic variation of IL-4 intron 3 VNTR gene polymorphism; its association with type 2 diabetes mellitus and its complication (neuropathy) in Egyptian subjects

Association of interleukin 4 and MTHFR gene polymorphisms with distal symmetrical polyneuropathy in young diabetics

BACKGROUND

 It is believed that genetic factors play a role in the development and severity of neural injury among people with distal symmetrical polyneuropathy (DSP), because some genes are involved in specific biological pathways, acting in different ways in the pathogenic process.

OBJECTIVE

 To identify potential associations involving the 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR C677T) and interleukin 4 (IL-4 intron 3 variable number of tandem repeats [I3VNTR]) gene polymorphisms and DSP in the studied sample.

METHODS

 In total, 70 children and adolescents with type-1 diabetes underwent a nerve conduction studie (NCS) of the sural nerve. Saliva samples were collected for DNA extraction and genotyping of the MTHFR C677T and IL-4 I3VNTR polymorphisms.

RESULTS

 The prevalence of DSP was 15.71%. The participants with DSP presented higher mean levels of glycated hemoglobin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (p > 0.05). The NCS amplitudes were lower in individuals with DSP (p = 0.00). The mean conduction velocity was lower in people with the A1A1 genotype (p = 0.02). Maternal and paternal history of diabetes in great-grandparents were associated with DSP (p = 0.04 and 0.02, respectively). Glycated hemoglobin and impaired Achilles reflex were associated with the MTHFR CC genotype (p = 0.04 and 0.05 respectively) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was associated with the MTHFR CT genotype (p = 0.05). We found no association between the polymorphisms investigated and DSP.

CONCLUSION

 In the present study, we found no association involving the MTHFR C677T and IL-4 I3VNTR polymorphisms and DSP. However, the study provides other associations and suggests possible implications for these findings.

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms as important risk factors of diabetes among Middle East population

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder that leads to the dysfunction of various tissues and organs, including eyes, kidneys, and cardiovascular system. According to the World Health Organization, diabetes prevalence is 8.8% globally among whom about 90% of cases are type 2 diabetes. There are not any significant clinical manifestations in the primary stages of diabetes. Therefore, screening can be an efficient way to reduce the diabetic complications. Over the recent decades, the prevalence of diabetes has increased alarmingly among the Middle East population, which has imposed exorbitant costs on the health care system in this region. Given that the genetic changes are among the important risk factors associated with predisposing people to diabetes, we examined the role of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the pathogenesis of diabetes among Middle East population. In the present review, we assessed the molecular pathology of diabetes in the Middle East population that paves the way for introducing an efficient SNP-based diagnostic panel for diabetes screening among the Middle East population. Since, the Middle East has a population of 370 million people; the current review can be a reliable model for the introduction of SNP-based diagnostic panels in other populations and countries around the world.