The rs553668 polymorphism of the ADRA2A gene predicts the worsening of fasting glucose values in a cohort of subjects without diabetes. A population-based study

Abstract

Aims Single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the human ADRA2A gene have been associated with increased risk of Type2 diabetes. The associations between the rs553668 polymorphism and fasting glucose concentrations both cross-sectionally and longitudinally after 6-year follow-up were evaluated in an adult Caucasian population-based cohort. Methods From a cohort of 1658 individuals, after excluding patients with diabetes, those who died and those whose blood samples were not available for genotyping, data of 1345 individuals were analysed. Results Subjects homozygous for the A allele showed significantly increased baseline fasting glucose values and a significant worsening of fasting glucose (β=0.48; 95%CI 0.10-0.86) and insulin secretion (β=-20.75; -32.67 to -8.82 for homeostasis model assessment for β-cell function) at follow-up by using generalized estimating equations. Incidence of impaired fasting glucose and diabetes was almost twofold higher in subjects homozygous for the A allele (respectively: incident impaired fasting glucose 7.6-8.2, 16.1%, incident diabetes 1.7-2.3, 3.2% in GG, AG, AA carriers). Conclusions Our results suggested that the rs553668 polymorphism is associated with glucose worsening in subjects without diabetes at baseline. © 2011 The Authors. Diabetic Medicine © 2011 Diabetes UK.