Polymorphism of the rs12255372 Allele of the <i>TCF7L2</i> Gene Associated with Predisposition to Type 2 Diabete Using SNP Markers in a Population in the North of the Côte d’Ivoire

<i>Background</i>: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a chronic metabolic disease characterised by hyperglycaemia due to insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion. Genetic and environmental factors can influence predisposition to this disease. Genetic predisposition plays a significant role in the risk of developing the disease, and the TCF7L2 (T-Cell Factor-Like 2) gene is one of the main genes associated with type 2 diabetes. <i>Objective:</i> The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of the rs12255372 (G/T) polymorphism in TCF7L2, a gene associated with the risk of type 2 diabete (T2D) in the Ivorian population in the north of Côte d'Ivoire. <i>Methodology</i>: We included a total of 75 participants, 50 with type 2 diabete and 25 healthy subjects, for various anthropometric, clinical and genetic parameters. Participants were recruited from the Korhogo Regional Hospital. After obtaining consent, a blood sample was taken from each participant for glycaemia measurement and confetti realization for molecular biology. Genomic DNA extracted from the confetti was used to perform TCF7L2 gene genotyping using allele-specific PCR. <i>Results</i>: Analysis of the prevalence of the T allele of the SNP rs12255372 showed a statistically significant association between type 2 diabetic patients and non-diabetics (p≤0.05). The analysis revealed a genotypic prevalence of the rs12255372 variant of the TT allele significantly more expressed in non-diabetics (52%) compared with diabetics (26%) (p=0.03, z=2.23). <i>Conclusion</i>: This study revealed a high prevalence of the rs12255372 genetic variant of the TCF7L2 gene in non-diabetic populations in the north of Côte d'Ivoire, suggesting a significant predisposition to types 2 diabetes and the involvement of other factors, such as environmental conditions, lifestyle habits and genetic interactions in the development of type 2 diabetes in healthy subjects carrying the TT allele of the SNP rs12255372 of the TCF7L2 gene.