Vitamin D Receptor Gene (Fok-I) Polymorphisms in Type 1 Diabetic Children; Case Study in Zagazig University Hospitals

Abstract

Background: Many meta-analyses studied the association between vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphism and type 1 diabetes (T1DM) susceptibility.

Objective: This study was designed to assess the role of VDR gene (FOK-I) polymorphisms in type 1 diabetic children from Zagazig University Hospitals in Egypt.

Patients and Method: In this case-control study, the genotypes of VDR gene (FOK-I) polymorphisms were assessed in 180 type 1 diabetic children and 120 healthy matched age controls by PCR-RFLP analysis.

Results: A high statistical difference between patient and control regarding VDR gene (FOK-I) polymorphisms, where 44% of the patient group had heterozygous genotype (AG) compared to 8.3% in the control group. AG genotype has almost a higher risk nine times odds ratio (OR) = 8.8 than AA genotype in diabetic patients. There was a significant increase in the G allele in the patient group. Moreover, a significant association between (FOK-I) polymorphisms and T1DM complications was also observed.

Conclusion: (AG) genotype of VDR gene (FOK-I) polymorphisms could be a risk factor for T1DM complications. So, VDR gene (FOK-I) polymorphisms should be performed with other genetic studies for early prediction, detection and prevention of microvascular complications of T1DM that adversely affect health-related quality of life of Egyptian children and burden the primary care units.