The C161T Polymorphism in Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor <i>ɣ</i>2, 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 commonmicrovascular complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). It ismultifactorial with the contribution of multiple genetic factors. We questionedthe association of polymorphisms in the peroxisome proliferator-activatedreceptor ?2(PPAR?2) gene (Pro12Alaand C161T) with DR in an Egyptian population. Methods: This case control studyincluded one hundred healthy individuals and 252 T2DM among them 122 with DRand 130 without DR. Genotyping was done by polymerase chain reactionrestriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Results: The Pro12AlaAla 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 C161TT allele was associated with increased risk of DR with OR = 2.593, 95% CI(1.672 - 4.020), p 1c) in multivariate regressionanalysis only C161T was associated with increased risk of DR with OR = 3.479,95% CI (1.907 - 6.346), p 1c was higher in Pro/Pro genotype whencompared to those with Ala/Ala and Pro/Ala genotypes. Conclusion: We reportthat T allele of C161T increased risk of DR in the studied population. Furtherstudies are warranted to investigate functional implications of polymorphismsof the PPAR-? gene in DR development.