Association of Apolipoprotein E Gene Polymorphism with Type 2 Diabetic Nephropathy in the Southern Chinese Population

Caiyan Gan,1– 3 Yinmei Zhang,1– 3 Xianyan Zhang,4 Qionghui Huang,1– 3 Xuemin Guo1– 4 1Research Experimental Center, Meizhou People’s Hospital, Meizhou, People’s Republic of China; 2Guangdong Engineering Technological Research Center of Clinical Molecular Diagnosis and Antibody Drugs, Meizhou, People’s Republic of China; 3Guangdong Provincial Engineering and Technological Research Center for Molecular Diagnostics of Cardiovascular Diseases, Meizhou, People’s Republic of China; 4Clinical Laboratory Center, Meizhou People’s Hospital, Meizhou, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Xuemin Guo, Research Experimental Center, Meizhou People’s Hospital, 63 Huangtang Road, Meijiang District, Meizhou, 514031, People’s Republic of China, Email guoxuemin@mzrmyy.comBackground: Common polymorphisms within the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene are rs429358 and rs7412, which result in three major alleles (ɛ2, ɛ3, and ɛ4) and six genotypes (E2/E2, E2/E3, E3/E3, E3/E4, E4/E4, and E2/E4). Although APOE gene polymorphisms have been suggested to be associated with the development of diabetic nephropathy (DN), their potential association remains unclear in different regions. This study aims to unveil the genetic effects of APOE gene polymorphisms on DN susceptibility and serum lipid profiles in southern Chinese population.Methods: A total of 306 DN patients and 483 type 2 diabetic patients as controls were included in the study. The APOE gene polymorphisms were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) microarray gene chip. Relevant medical records and information of these participants were collected.Results: There were statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in gender, SBP, hypertension, hyperuricemia, UTP, TG and HDL-C between DN patients and controls. DN patients exhibited a higher frequency of the &epsiv;2 allele and E2/E3 genotype than controls (p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis indicated that the &epsiv;2 allele and E2/E3 genotype were independent risk factors (adjusted OR: 3.237, 95% CI: 1.789– 5.854, p < 0.001; adjusted OR: 3.453, 95% CI: 1.873– 6.368, p < 0.001), while the &epsiv;3 allele or E3/E3 genotype might serve as protective role (adjusted OR: 0.395, 95% CI: 0.255– 0.612, p < 0.001) for development of DN.Conclusion: Our study indicates a correlation between APOE polymorphisms and DN in the southern Chinese Hakka population. Specifically, individuals carrying the APOE &epsiv;2 allele and E2/E3 genotype are at a higher risk of developing DN. Conversely, those with the APOE &epsiv;3 allele and E3/E3 genotype have a lower risk of DN in southern Chinese population.Keywords: Apolipoprotein E, diabetic nephropathy, gene polymorphism, southern Chin