The relationship between ACE gene insertion/deletion polymorphism and diabetes retinopathy patients with diabetes type 1

Diabetes type 1 is an autoimmune metabolic disorder in which auto antibodies attack pancreatic β cells, results in hyperglycemia. Diabetes retinopathy linked to diabetes mellitus that affects blood vessels in the retina results in blindness and visual disability in hyperglycemic people. The angiotensin-I converting has a role in diabetes retinopathy.

We investigate the relationship between angiotensin-converting enzyme gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism, diabetes retinopathy patients, and diabetes type 1.

A total of 250 individuals, including retinopathy patients (100), diabetes type 1 patient (100), and controls (50), were studied. Genomic DNA was extract from blood samples and PCR was used to detect the ACE polymorphism by using primers. The obtained data was statistically analyzed through SPSS.

The prevalence of D and I alleles in diabetes retinopathy patients was 57.5% and 42.5%, respectively; in diabetes type 1, it was 66% and 34%, respectively; and in control subjects, it was 69% and 31%, respectively. This study showed the prevalence of the DD genotype and D allele in all groups under study. However, ACE gene polymorphisms may not have much influence on the progression of diabetes retinopathy.

It was established that those with diabetes retinopathy frequently have the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene I/D polymorphism.