Association of common genetic variants of KCNJ11 gene with the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a multifactorial polygenic disease. Potassium inwardly-rectifying channel, subfamily J, member 11 (KCNJ11) gene mutations can result in susceptibility of T2DM. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between risk of T2DM and its complications (retinopathy & renal) and polymorphisms rs5210 and rs5215 of the KCNJ11 gene in a group of Iranian population. In this case-control study, 111 Iranian patients with T2DM and 82 control subjects were genotyped for each polymorphism by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Sanger Sequencing methods. Frequencies of genotypes of rs5210 polymorphism among subjects with and without diabetes mellitus were 53.15% vs. 51.22% for GG and 37.84% vs. 42.68% for AG (p = 0.7), respectively. Corresponding frequencies for rs5215 polymorphism among diabetics and non-diabetics were 13.51% vs. 13.41% for CC and 50.45% vs. 37.80% for CT (p = 0.2). G allele carriers (rs5210 polymorphism) and C allele carriers (rs5215 polymorphism) had the same frequency among diabetics and non-diabetics (p = 0.9 for G allele and p = 0.2 for C allele). Our results suggested that none of the polymorphisms of KCNJ11, rs5210 (p = 0.7) and rs5215 (p = 0.2), were significantly associated with T2DM. Only, the relationship between CT genotype of rs5215 and retinopathy (p = 0.01) showed a borderline significant association.

KCNQ1 common genetic variant and type 2 diabetes mellitus risk.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a multifactorial trait that both environmental and genetic factors contribute to its pathogenesis. The most common single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily Q member 1 (KCNQ1) gene, rs2237892, is highly associated with the risk of T2DM. The aim of the present study was to examine any association between KCNQ1 gene rs2237892 variant and risk of T2DM in a group of Iranian patients. METHODS: Genotyping was carried out in 100 type 2 diabetic patients and 100 non-diabetic subjects using the Sanger sequencing method. RESULTS: The CC genotype caused more than 30% reduction in the risk of T2DM in compared with CT. Nonetheless, this association was not statistically significant and this variant had no protective effect for T2DM. A significant difference was not found in genotypes (CC, CT, and TT) and alleles (C and T) frequency of KCNQ1 rs2237892 SNP between T2DM and control groups (P = 0.475 and P = 0.470, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our investigations did not show enough evidence for the presence of an association between KCNQ1 gene rs2237892 polymorphism and risk of T2DM among a group of Iranian patients.

Correction to: Association of eNOS and ACE gene polymorphisms as a genetic risk factor in gestational diabetes in Iranian women.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1007/s40200-018-0348-4.].

The effect of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) supplementation on blood pressure, and renal and liver function in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A double-blinded, randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: Microalbuminuria and hypertension are the risk factors for diabetic nephropathy, and increased levels of liver enzymes are prevalent among diabetic patients. The aim of this research was to examine the effects of Crocus sativus supplementation on nephropathy indices, liver enzymes, and blood pressure in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial was performed among 80 T2D patients. Subjects were randomly assigned to either Crocus sativus (n = 40) or placebo (n = 40) groups and treated with C. sativus and or placebo for 12 weeks, respectively. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), serum urea, creatinine, 24-hr urine albumin, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), physical activity, and dietary intakes were measured and blood samples were taken at baseline and after the 12­week intervention to assess the differences between the two groups. RESULTS: C. sativus supplementation compared with the placebo resulted in a significant reduction of SBP (P<0.005). However, changes in other indices including liver enzymes, serum creatinine, serum urea, and 24-hr urine albumin, and DBP were not significantly different between the two groups (p>0.05). Also, no significant changes in dietary intakes and physical activity were seen between the two groups. CONCLUSION: This report shows that daily supplementation with 100 mg C. sativus powder improved SBP. However, it did not considerably improve DBP, nephropathy indices and liver functions in T2D patients after 12 weeks of administration.

Association Analysis of the HNF4A Common Genetic Variants with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Risk.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a complex disease that involves a wide range of genetic and environmental factors. The hepatocyte nuclear factor (HNF4A) carries out hepatic gluconeogenesis regulation and insulin secretion crucially, and the corresponding gene was shown to be linked to T2DM in several studies. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between HNF4A genetic variants (rs1884613 and rs1884614) and T2DM risk in a group of Iranian patients. This case-control study included 100 patients with T2DM and 100 control subjects. Genotyping of two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs1884613 and rs1884614) of HNF4A was performed using the sequencing method. There was no statistically significant difference for allele and genotype distribution of the HNF4A common variants (rs1884613 and rs1884614) between subjects with and without T2DM (P=0.9 and P=0.9, respectively). Regarding diabetic complications, although the presence of mentioned polymorphisms increased the odds of developing ophthalmic complications and reduction of the odds of renal complications among diabetic patients, the mentioned risk was non- significant and cannot be generalized to the whole population.  It seems that rs1884613 and rs1884614 polymorphisms are not associated with T2DM or its renal and ophthalmic complications. To investigate the precise influence of these polymorphisms, prospective cohorts with larger sample sizes are required.

Modeling a Telemedicine Screening Program for Diabetic Retinopathy in Iran and Implementing a Pilot Project in Tehran Suburb.

PURPOSE: To model a community-based telescreening program for diabetic retinopathy (DR) in Iran and to implement a pilot project at the Iranian Diabetes Society (IDS) branch in a Tehran suburb. METHODS: In this mixed model study, a web application called the "Iranian Retinopathy Teleophthalmology Screening (IRTOS)" was launched. The educational course for DR screening was established for general practitioners (GPs). Registered patients in IDS branch were recalled for fundus photography; images were transferred to the reading center via IRTOS to be graded by GPs, and patients were informed about the results via mobile messaging. All images were independently reviewed by a retina specialist as the gold standard. Patients who required further assessment were referred to an eye hospital. RESULTS: Overall, 604 subjects with diabetes were screened; of these, 50% required referral. The sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis of any stage of DR by trained GPs were 82.8% and 86.2%, respectively, in comparison to the gold standard. The corresponding values for detecting any stage of diabetic macular edema (DME) were 63.5% and 96.6%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Telescreening was an effective method for detecting DR in a Tehran suburb. This screening model demonstrated its capacity for promoting diabetic eye care services at the national level. However, the sensitivity for detecting DME needs to be improved by modifying the referral pathway and promoting the skill of GPs.

Association of eNOS and ACE gene polymorphisms as a genetic risk factor in gestational diabetes in Iranian women.

BACKGROUND: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most popular metabolic disease during pregnancy. The aim of the present study was to investigate any possible association between eNOS Glu298Asp and ACE I/D gene polymorphisms and the risk of GDM in a group of Iranian pregnant women. METHODS: In this case-control study 204 pregnant women were recruited (94 cases and 110 controls). Genomic DNA was isolated from whole blood and genotyping was performed by the Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR- RFLP) and only PCR for eNOS and ACE polymorphisms respectively. RESULTS: Frequencies of GT and TT genotype of eNOS polymorphism among women with and without GDM were 67.90% vs. 74.47 and 7.41% vs. 8.51% respectively (P = 0.4). Corresponding figures for DD genotype of ACE polymorphism among GDM patients was more than that in healthy women (51.65% vs. 63.81% respectively). Conversely, ACE heterozygote genotype was more common in diabetic women (35.16% vs. 26.67% respectively). Although these differences were not statistically significant (P = 0.2). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that there is no association between the presence of eNOS and ACE gene polymorphisms and developing gestational diabetes mellitus among pregnant women in our population. Further longitudinal and multicenter studies should be carried out to assess the exact metabolic effects of these polymorphisms.