Vitamin D Receptor TaqI Gene Polymorphism and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Case-Control Study Among Ethiopian Population.

Abstract

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a complex and diverse illness that is influenced by several vulnerable genes as well as environmental risk factors. The aim of this study was to ascertain the relationship between the vitamin D receptor TaqI gene polymorphisms and the risk of T2DM at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: An age- and sex-matched hospital-based case-control study involved 70 patients with T2DM and 70 nondiabetic healthy controls. Demographic information was assessed in order to identify the associated risk variables. To ascertain the TaqI genotypes, DNA was taken from blood samples and used in a polymerase chain reaction and agarose gel electrophoresis analysis. Results: The frequency of the homozygous TaqI-tt genotype [odds ratios (OR): 2.69; 95% confidence level (CL): 1.05-6.44; P = 0.38], and the t allele (OR: 1.90; 95% CL: 1.16-3.12; P = 0.0099) was significantly higher in patients with T2DM compared to nondiabetic controls. Conclusion: The results suggest that the TaqI gene polymorphism may be related to the onset of T2DM in the Ethiopian population under study.