Aims: Inflammatory markers play an important role in the development of diseases related to metabolic syndrome, such as type 2 diabetes (T2D) and coronary artery disease (CAD). The present study evaluates the association of -2518A>G polymorphism in the monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) gene with T2D and CAD.
Results: The frequency of the G allele is greater in CAD cases (35%) as compared to T2D (24.6%) and controls (31%), while the frequency of the A allele is higher in T2D cases (75.4%) as compared to CAD cases (65%) and controls (69%). The analysis has revealed that in comparison to T2D cases, the G allele increases the risk of CAD by 1.9-fold (p=0.008; odds ratio [OR]=1.9, 1.18-3.06 at 95% confidence interval [CI]) but in comparison to controls the G-allele provided protection against T2D (p=0.011; OR=0.55, 0.35-0.87 at 95% CI), both under the dominant model (AG+GG vs. AA).
Conclusion: Results of the present study suggests that G-allele of MCP-1 -2518A>G polymorphism is associated with reduced risk of T2D and increased risk of CAD in the population of Punjab. The results indicate that there is a difference in the association of risk alleles with phenotypes of metabolic syndrome. Body mass index and waist circumference are important risk factors for T2D in the population of Punjab.