Polymorphic markers of the NO synthase genes and genetic predisposition to diabetic polyneuropathy in type 1 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

The allele and genotype frequencies of polymorphic markers of NOS1, NOS2 and NOS3 genes, encoding three types of NO synthases, were compared in type 1 diabetes patients with and without diabetic polyneuropathty. 180 type 1 diabetes patients (T1DM) of Russian or Eastern Slavonic origin, living in Moscow city, were divided into two groups using non-overlapping (polar) phenotypes. 86 patients had overt DPN and T1DM duration in this group was less than 5 years (DPN+ group) and 94 patients had no clinical DPN and T1DM duration was more than 10 years (DPN- group). We have not found the significant differences of allele and genotype frequencies of polymorphic markers (CA)n of NOS1 gene, (CCTTT)n of NOS2 gene, ecNOS4a/4b and Glu298Asp of NOS3 gene that indicates that all these markers are not associated with diabetic polyneuropathty. Only in the case of (CCTTT)n marker of NOS2 gene we have found a tendency for the association of 14 allele with DPN development. The carriers of this allele have the lower risk of DPN in T1DM.