Transcription Factor 7/Like2 (TCF7/L2) Gene Associated With Metabolic Syndrome In The Type 2 Diabetes

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a chronic complication of diabetes mellitus which can be due to micro vascular changes occurring in retina due to hyperglycemia. Polymorphism in gene TCF7L2 rs7903146 has been shown to increase susceptibility to developing diabetes mellitus. Aim: Association between Diabetic retinopathy (DR) and polymorphism of TCF7L2 expression and alteration in VEGF expression level has also been found in Type2 DM. Method: A comparative research was carried out in the Department of Biochemistry, with 148 volunteers aged 18 to 50 recruited from the Baqai Institute of Diabetology and Endocrinology (BIDE). Clinical data, anthropometric measures, and biochemical markers such FBS, OGTT, HbA1c, and lipid profile were obtained. Genomic DNA was collected, and the TCF7L2 gene polymorphism (rs7903146) was examined by Sanger sequencing. Results: The study analyzed 148 Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with and without retinopathy, with a mean age of 43.27±9.45 years. Results showed significant differences in blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, triglycerides, and cholesterol levels between groups. The TT genotype was more abundant in group B, while the CT genotype was higher in group A. The majority of T2DM patients with retinopathy had complications like retinal hemorrhages, microdot, and blindness. Conclusion: Overall, the homozygous TT genotype of TCF7L2 rs7903146 polymorphism was found dominant in T2DM subjects with retinopathy as compared with T2DM without retinopathy, and CT genotype was found higher in T2DM subjects without retinopathy and healthy individuals. We also found mutant T allele was predominantly higher in T2DM subjects with and without retinopathy.