Glyoxalase I and aldose reductase gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to carotid atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes.

AIMS

To investigate the association of polymorphisms of glyoxalase I (GLO1) A419C, GLO1 C-7T, and aldose reductase C-106T with type 2 diabetes and diabetic carotid atherosclerosis in a Chinese Han population.

METHODS

The study population included 362 patients with type 2 diabetes and 301 nondiabetic control subjects. Genetic analyses were performed using either the Taqman polymerase chain reaction or direct sequencing. All patients with diabetes underwent carotid ultrasonography to assess the intima-media thickness and the presence of atherosclerotic plaques.

RESULTS

There were no differences between the genotype frequencies of GLO1 A419C, GLO1 C-7T, and aldose reductase C-106T polymorphisms, in the control and diabetic groups. The value of mean carotid intima-media thickness and the prevalence of carotid atherosclerotic plaques were significantly increased in patients with type 2 diabetes with the GLO1-7CC genotype compared with those with the -7CT and TT genotypes (permutation p=0.003 and 0.031, respectively). Multiple regression analysis showed that the GLO1-7CC genotype was an independent determinant of carotid intima-media thickness (β=0.12, p=0.014), but not an independent risk factor for carotid atherosclerotic plaques (odds ratio [OR]=1.74, 95% CI 0.89-3.42, p=0.10) in patients with type 2 diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

The GLO1 C-7T polymorphism is associated with carotid atherosclerosis in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes.