Polymorphism in the 5'-flanking region of the insulin gene and its potential relation to cardiovascular disease risk: observations in a biracial community. The Bogalusa Heart Study.

ABSTRACT

The gene frequencies of a polymorphism in the 5'-flanking region of the insulin gene and its relationship to cardiovascular disease risk were studied in a well defined population of children (mean age 5.5 years) from a biracial community. The BglII endonuclease was used for digestion of the DNA around this polymorphic region. The risk factors studied included parental and grandparental self-reported histories of myocardial infarction and diabetes mellitus, fasting glucose and insulin levels, lipoprotein, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, and skinfold thicknesses and weight. Four alleles were observed at this locus, with the class 2 allele being significantly more common among blacks than whites. Among white children, the class 3 allele was associated with increased risk for grandparental diabetes mellitus. White children with 2 copies of the class 3 allele had significantly higher levels of glucose. Black children with a copy of the class 3 allele had significantly higher levels of insulin. This study indicates that the class 3 allele is potentially associated with risk for diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease that can be observed in childhood.