Variants of the adiponectin gene and diabetic microvascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes

Objective The aim of this study was to examine the association between common polymorphisms of the adiponectin gene (ADIPOQ) and microvascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Research design and methods Rs2241766 and rs1501299 of ADIPOQ were genotyped in 708 patients with T2DM. Fundus photography, nerve conducting velocity, and urine analysis were performed to check for the presence of microvascular complications including diabetic nephropathy, retinopathy and neuropathy. Results The prevalence of diabetic nephropathy tended to be different according to rs2241766 genotype (p = 0.057) and the GG genotype of rs2241766 was associated with diabetic nephropathy [urine albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR) greater than 30 mg/g] after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, duration of diabetes, HDL-cholesterol, smoking status, and blood pressure (odds ratio = 1.96; 95% confidence interval = 1.01-3.82, p = 0.049). Also, the G allele of rs2241766 demonstrated a trend to be associated with an increase in UACR (p = 0.087). Rs2241766 genotype was not associated with diabetic retinopathy (p = 0.955) and neuropathy (p = 0.104) or any diabetic microvascular complications (p = 0.104). There was no significant association between the rs1501299 genotype of ADIPOQ and the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy and neuropathy or any diabetic microvascular complications even after adjustment. Conclusion These data suggest that the GG genotype at rs2241766 is implicated in the pathogenesis of risk for diabetic nephropathy defined as UACR greater than 30 mg/day in patients with T2DM.