ABSTRACT
AIMS: The polymorphisms of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines may be involved in type 2 diabetes (T2D) pathogenesis and its complications. METHODS: We investigated in 102 T2D patients the association of the cytokine polymorphisms in the TNF-α, IL-10, IL-6, TGF-ß1, and IFN-γ genes with the T2D microvascular complications and comorbidities (hypertension, dyslipidemia, and obesity). Cytokine genotypes were determined by PCR using Cytokine Genotyping Tray kit. RESULTS: Diabetic retinopathy was associated with GG genotype and G allele in TGF-ß1 codon 25C/G polymorphism (p = 0.004 and p = 0.018) and the nephropathy was associated the lower frequency of GG genotype in IL-10 -1082G/A polymorphism (p = 0.049). Hypertension was associated with the CC genotype and C allele for IL-10 -592C/A polymorphism (p = 0.013 and p = 0.009) and higher frequencies of T (p = 0.047) and C (p = 0.033) alleles of the TGF-ß1 codon 10T/C and IL-10 -819T/C polymorphisms, respectively. The TGF-ß1 codon 10T/C polymorphism was associated with the BMI groups (p = 0.026): the CC genotype was more frequent in the group with BMI < 25 Kg/m(2), while the TC genotype was more frequent in the group with BMI = 30 Kg/m(2). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that TGF-ß1 and IL-10 polymorphisms are involved in complications and comorbidities in T2D patients.
