The Impact of Genetic Variability of eNOS on Progression of Microvascular Disease in Type 2 Diabetes Patients: Effects on Angiogenesis Mechanisms

Introduction: Microvascular disease of type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients progresses despite strict glycaemic control, and the mechanisms are poorly understood. Endothelial dysfunction and adiponectin are pivotally involved in the pathogenesis of vascular disease. Hypothesis: We hypothesised that genetic variability on endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and adiponectin gene (ADIPOQ) are associated with the progression of microvascular disease in T2D patients. Methods: Two hundred and twenty (n=220) T2D outpatients were enrolled in this study. Participants were assessed at baseline for presence of diabetic foot or diabetic retinopathy by specialists. Blood samples were drawn for estimation of MDRD eGFR and measurement of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and for genotyping for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) T786C and G894T on eNOS gene and T45G and G276T on ADIPOQ. Patients were re-assessed at 30months for progression of diabetic microangiopathy (defined as development of new diabetic foot...