title: Relationship between MTHFR C677T and A1298C gene polymorphisms and complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus in an Emirati population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is the most common form of diabetes with clinical consequences giving rise to chronic multiple organ complications. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphisms are genetic variations that have been linked to T2DM, and micro/macrovascular complications. The link between MTHFR and T2DM however is strongly dependent on the ethnic group studied. The objective of this study was to investigate the possible association between two MTHFR polymorphisms (C677T and A1298C) and T2DM and specifically examine if there are any associations with clinical and demographic characteristics among patients in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 169 T2DM patients and 209 healthy controls. Genomic DNA was isolated and genotyped using TaqMan real-Time PCR assays for the MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences in genotype and haplotype distributions observed between groups. A significant association was observed between the C677T polymorphism and history of cerebrovascular accident (CVA) (p = 0.0330), history of nephropathy (p = 0.0280) and levels of LDL cholesterol (p = 0.0409). Also, the A1298C polymorphism was associated with hypertriglyceridemia (p = 0.0305) in T2DM patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings demonstrate that the MTHFR gene polymorphisms are not related to T2DM in the Emirati population. However, these polymorphisms can be used as risk markers for CVA, nephropathy, high LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in T2DM patients and allow timely treatment.
authors.affiliation: Khalifa University Center of Biotechnology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Sarah W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: El Hajj Chehadeh
authors.affiliation: School of Community Health and Centre for Research in Complex Systems, Charles Sturt University, Albury, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Herbert F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Jelinek
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cardiac Science, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Wael A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Al Mahmeed
authors.affiliation: Centre for Forensic Science, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.
authors.forename: Guan K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Tay
authors.affiliation: Landmark Nephrology and Hypertension Clinic, Talladega, AL, USA.
authors.forename: Unini O
authors.initials: UO
authors.lastname: Odama
authors.affiliation: Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Gehad E B
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Elghazali
authors.affiliation: Khalifa University Center of Biotechnology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Khalifa University of Science, Technology & Research, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Habiba S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Al Safar
keywords: A1298T; C677T; Emiratis; MFTHR; Type 2 diabetes mellitus