Association of TCF7L2 polymorphism with diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and markers of beta cell function and insulin resistance in a population-based sample of Emirati subjects

• Published in: Diabetes research and clinical practice Vol. 80; no. 3; pp. 392 - 398
• Main Authors: Saadi, Hussein, Nagelkerke, Nicolaas, Carruthers, S. George, Benedict, Sheela, Abdulkhalek, Samar, Reed, Richard, Lukic, Miodrag, Nicholls, M. Gary
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01-06-2008
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Arabs - genetics; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diabetes mellitus; Diabetes Mellitus - genetics; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - epidemiology; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - genetics; Endocrinology & Metabolism; Female; Genetic Variation; Humans; Insulin Resistance - genetics; Insulin-Secreting Cells - physiology; Male; Metabolic syndrome; Metabolic Syndrome - genetics; Middle Aged; Polymorphism, Genetic; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Pre-diabetes; Prevalence; Single nucleotide polymorphisms; TCF Transcription Factors - genetics; Transcription factor 7-like 2 gene; Transcription Factor 7-Like 2 Protein; United Arab Emirates; United Arab Emirates - epidemiology; Single nucleotide polymorphisms; United Arab Emirates; Metabolic syndrome; Diabetes mellitus; Transcription factor 7-like 2 gene; Pre-diabetes
• ISSN: 0168-8227; 1872-8227
• DOI: 10.1016/j.diabres.2008.01.008

Abstract Aims The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) among Emirati subjects is one of the highest in the world. This has been attributed to rising prevalence of obesity acting on genetically susceptible individuals. We analyzed the associations between TCF7L2 polymorphism and DM, metabolic syndrome, and markers of beta cell function and insulin resistance in a population-based sample of Emirati subjects. Methods We genotyped the two TCF7L2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs12255372 and rs7903146 in 368 adult subjects. Homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) was used to assess beta cell function (HOMA2-%B) and insulin resistance (HOMA2-IR). The SNP genotypes were analyzed against disease stage [normal glucose = 0 ( n = 188), pre-diabetes = 1 ( n = 85), and DM = 2 ( n = 95)] and against clinical and biochemical measures. Age and sex were included as covariates in all association analyses. Additional adjustments were made for body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference in several analyses. Results Diabetes disease stage was marginally significantly associated with the frequency of the T variant at rs12255372 ( p = 0.057; adjusted p = 0.017) but not at rs7903146 ( p = 0.5; adjusted p = 0.2). Comparison between subjects with normal glucose and the combined DM/pre-diabetes showed a significant association with rs12255372 (OR 1.47, CI 1.04–2.08; p = 0.03) but not with rs7903146 (OR 1.16, CI 0.81–1.64; p = 0.4). We found no association with metabolic syndrome, or with insulin and glucose levels, HOMA2-%B or HOMA2-IR. The age-standardized prevalence rate for metabolic syndrome was 43.9% in men and 42.1% in women. Conclusion These data suggest that TCF7L2 variants are associated with increased risk for DM in Emirati subjects. We also demonstrate a high prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in this population.