Association of Polymorphism rs17576 of the Metalloproteinase 9 Gene with Gestational Diabetes in Euro-Brazilian Pregnant Women.

BACKGROUND: Metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) is involved in the degradation of extracellular matrix molecules, and its polymorphism rs17576 (Gln279Arg) has been associated with diabetes. We investigated the association of rs17576 in a case-control study with Euro-Brazilian women with gestational diabetes. METHODS: The study group consisted of a total of 262 Euro-Brazilian pregnant women classified as either healthy (n = 131, control) or with GDM (n = 131). Fluorescent probes with real time PCR (TaqMan system) were applied for genotyping. RESULTS: All groups were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The minor allele frequencies (G-allele) for rs17567 in healthy and GDM women were 27.1% [95% CI, 22 - 32] and 37.4% [95% CI, 32 - 43], p = 0.011, respectively. Genotypic comparison showed a significant difference (p < 0.05) between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Polymorphism rs17567 was associated with GDM in the studied population and carriers of the G-allele showed an increased risk for gestational diabetes (Odds ratio 1.61; 95% CI, 1.1 - 2.3).

The Blood Bank for Diabetes Screening: a Feasible Alternative?

BACKGROUND: Vascular complications of diabetes mellitus (DM) are associated with 5% of deaths globally every year. Early diagnosis and treatment could reduce this figure. The aim of this project was to investigate the frequency of undiagnosed DM among blood donors and the possibility of blood banks participating in DM screening. METHODS: Of the approximate 5,600 candidates for blood donation who were evaluated, 4,601 were considered suitable. Candidates with any type of DM, hypertension, thyroid disease, and/or continuous use of any drugs were excluded, resulting in the participation of 635 donors aged 18 - 69 years. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were used to classify the donors: HbA1c < 5.7% (low risk of DM), HbA1c 5.7 - 6.4% (pre-diabetes), and HbA1c ≥ 6.5% (diabetes). Another subsample (n = 576) that excluded donors with HbA1c levels < 5.0% or > 6.5% were classified according to the risk of developing DM in 5 years: HbA1c 5 - 5.5% (low risk, < 9%), HbA1c 5.6 - 6.0% (moderate risk, 9 - 25%), and HbA1c 6.1 - 6.5% (high risk, 26 - 50%). RESULTS: Three donors (0.5%) had HbA1c levels suggestive of DM, and 57 donors (9.0%) had levels associated with pre-DM. Regarding the risk of developing DM in 5 years, 111 donors (19.3%) were classified at moderate risk, and 10 donors (1.7%) were classified at high risk. CONCLUSIONS: DM screening in blood banks using HbA1c can identify new cases of DM and individuals at an increased risk of DM. In summary, blood banks could participate in DM screening, benefitting the general public and public health care system in Brazil.