Association between the TCF7L2 rs12255372 (G/T) gene polymorphism and type 2 diabetes mellitus in a Cameroonian population: a pilot study

Abstract

Abstract BackgroundTo study the relationship between the rs12255372 (G/T) polymorphism of the transcription factor 7‐like 2 (TCF7L2) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in a Cameroonian population. MethodsThis case–control study included 60 T2DM patients and 60 healthy normoglycemic controls, all unrelated and of Cameroonian origin, aged above 40 years (range 40–87). The Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism ‐ Polymerase Chain Reaction (RFLP‐PCR) was used for genotyping. ResultsThe T allele frequency was significantly higher in the diabetic group (0.44) than in the control group (0.17). This allele was significantly associated to a greater risk of developing T2DM as compared to the G allele (OR = 3.92, 95% CI 2.04 – 7.67, p < 0.0001). The codominant (additive) model explained best the risk of developing the disease, as the TT genotype was significantly associated to T2DM when compared to the GG genotype (OR = 4.45, 95% CI 1.64 – 12.83, p = 0.0014). By logistic regression adjusted for age, this OR was 4.33 (95% CI: 1.57 – 11.92, p = 0.005). ConclusionOur findings suggest that the rs12255372 (G/T) polymorphism of the TCF7L2 gene is an important risk factor for T2DM in the Cameroonian population.

Keywords

• Type 2 diabetes
• Genetic association
• Transcription factor 7‐like 2 (TCF7L2)
• Sub‐Saharan Africa
• Cameroon