Potassium inwardly-rectifying channel subfamily J member 11 (KCNJ11) gene polymorphism in Egyptian type 2 diabetic patients: a single-center study

Background The KCNJ11 gene belongs to the potassium channel gene family. It has a major role in the secretion of insulin. Genetic variations in KCNJ11 are possibly responsible for the progression of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In this study, we investigated the possible correlation between KCNJ11 (rs5210) gene polymorphism and T2DM. Subjects and method This study included 92 individuals divided into two groups. Group 1 included 46 type 2 diabetic patients. Group 2 (control group) included 46 healthy participants. A complete history was taken and a full physical examination was performed. Anthropometric data were measured. Laboratory investigations included fasting blood glucose (FBG), two hours post-prandial blood glucose (2HPPBG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and fasting lipid profile. KCNJ11 (rs5210) single nucleotide polymorphism was detected by polymerase chain reaction restriction-fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP). Results Both AG and GG genotypes were associated with increased risk for T2DM (OR 5.2, 95% CI 1.32–20.5, P = 0.01 for AG ; and OR 18.2, 95% CI 2.99–31.7, P = 0.002 for GG). Also, the frequency of the G allele was significantly higher in type 2 diabetic patients compared to healthy controls (50% versus 23.9%, respectively). The G allele of rs5210 in KCNJ11 contributed to an increased risk of T2DM (OR 3.18, 95% CI 1.31–7.75, P = 0.01). There was a statistically significant association between increased 2HPPBG and HbA1c levels and the carrier of AG and GG genotypes (P = 0.01 and 0.007, respectively). There was a statistically significant association between total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c), and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c) levels and the carrier of AG and GG genotypes (P