Publication:

Meta-analysis of insights into HHEX (rs1111875) and SLC30A8 (rs13266634) gene variants and type 2 diabetes mellitus

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is aggravated by inherited factors, peripheral insulin resistance and environmental factors. Genome wide association studies (GWAS) revealed more than 400 genetic loci to be associated with T2DM. The function of HHEX gene rs1111875 variant and the insulin secretion response after a glucose load might impact the risk of T2DM mainly via altering pancreatic β-cell activity. The Solute Carrier Family 30, Member 8 (SLC30A8) is primarily expressed in pancreatic β-cells and may play a key role in insulin secretory pathway. This current study revealed a significant association between HHEX A>G variant and reduced risk of T2DM under allele (A vs G: p=0.004), codominant (AA vs GG: p=0.001), dominant (AA vs AG + GG: p=0.02) and recessive (AA + AG vs GG: p=0.002) inheritance models and lack of significant association between HHEX C>T variant and T2DM in all tested models. However, SLC30A8 C>T variant was associated with increased risk of T2DM under allele (C vs T: p=0.001), dominant (CC vs CT+TT: p=0.001), codominant [(CC vs CT: p=0.007) and (CC vs TT: p≤0.001)] and recessive (CC+CT vs TT: p=0.001) inheritance models. The findings of the study suggest that HHEX (rs1111875) and SLC30A8 (rs13266634) gene variants may contribute to the genetic predisposition to T2DM.