The C161T Polymorphism in Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor ɣ2, but Not Pro12Ala, Is Associated with Diabetic Retinopathy in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in an Egyptian Population

Objectives: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the most common microvascular complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). It is multifactorial with the contribution of multiple genetic factors. We questioned the association of polymorphisms in the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ?2 (PPAR?2) gene (Pro12Ala and C161T) with DR in an Egyptian population. Methods: This case control study included one hundred healthy individuals and 252 T2DM among them 122 with DR and 130 without DR. Genotyping was done by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Results: The Pro12Ala Ala allele was associated with decreased risk of DR with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.484, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.254 - 0.920), and a p value = 0.024. The C161T T allele was associated with increased risk of DR with OR = 2.593, 95% CI (1.672 - 4.020), p < 0.001. However, when considering other covariates such as glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in multivariate regression analysis only C161T was associated with increased risk of DR with OR = 3.479, 95% CI (1.907 - 6.346), p < 0.001, while the significant association with Pro12Ala was lost. HbA1c was higher in Pro/Pro genotype when compared to those with Ala/Ala and Pro/Ala genotypes. Conclusion: We report that T allele of C161T increased risk of DR in the studied population. Further studies are warranted to investigate functional implications of polymorphisms of the PPAR-? gene in DR development.