Role of EPO and TCF7L2 Gene Polymorphism Contribution to the Occurrence of Diabetic Retinopathy.

: For studying the association of EPO (rs551238), EPO (rs1617640), and TCF7L2 (rs7903146) gene with diabetic retinopathy in Northern Chinese population. : We conducted a case-control study, which enrolled 680 subjects and performed SNP genotyping and calculated allele frequencies. : When comparison was performed between DR patients and normal persons, the EPO (rs551238) AA genotype has a significant risk association with DR, and AC genotype has a significant protective association with DR. The EPO (rs551238) A allele has a significant risk association with DR, and C allele has a significant protective association with DR. When comparison was performed between DR patients and DM patients, the EPO (rs551238) CC genotype has a significant protective association with DR; the EPO (rs551238) A allele has a significant risk association with DR; and C allele has a significant protective association with DR. When comparison was performed between DR patients and normal persons, the EPO (rs1617640) GT genotype has a significant protective association with DR, and TT genotype has a significant risk association with DR. The EPO (rs1617640) G allele has a significant protective association with DR, and T allele has a significant risk association with DR. In addition, we found that TT genotype does not exist in rs7903146 of TCF7L2 in Chinese population so that the data could not be used. : EPO (rs551238, rs1617640) genotype is a susceptible gene for DR in Chinese type 2 diabetic patients, especially the high-risk PDR.