ACE I/D (Rs1799752), MTHFR C677T (Rs1801133), and CCR5 D32 (Rs333) Genes and their Association with Hypertension and Diabetic Nephropathy in Urban Areas of Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Mexico

Abstract

Aim: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a procoagulant state because it is associated with increased risk of atherosclerosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence in thrombotic markers that lead to hypercoagulability and its association with hypertension and diabetic nephropathy (DN). Objective: To determine the association of molecular markers: (insertion/deletion) of the ACE gene Rs1799752, CCR5 D32 Rs333, and MTHFR C677T Rs1801133 with hypertension and DN in T2DM patients of urban areas in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Mexico. Materials and methods: A total of 521 samples of diabetic patients were collected: 132 from Costa Rica, 192 from Nicaragua, and 197 from Mexico. Results: A high prevalence of ACE genotype D/D (p < 0.001) and CCR5 (p < 0.001) in T2DM patients from the three different countries was found. The CCR5 D32/D32 genotype was seen in the population of Costa Rica. The prevalence of hypertension was 57.7% and nephropathy was 34% in overall T2DM patients. A statistical association was found; ACE polymorphism has significance with cardiovascular disease (CVD) p = 0.02, CCR5 D32 with dyslipidemia (p = 0.008), and hypertension (p = 0.022). Conclusion: It is important to know the role of ACE and CCR5 molecular markers and their possible association with the development of microvascular complications in our populations.