Association of LMNA 1908C/T polymorphism with cerebral vascular disease and diabetic nephropathy in Japanese men with type 2 diabetes

Summary Objective  The LMNA 1908C/T polymorphism has been reported to be associated with dyslipidaemia, metabolic syndrome, adipose tissue metabolism and obesity phenotypes, suggesting that this polymorphism presents an increased risk of atherosclerosis and vascular diseases. However, there have been no previous reports on the relationship between the LMNA 1908C/T polymorphism and vascular diseases. The aim of this study therefore was to investigate the association between the LMNA 1908C/T polymorphism and the prevalence of vascular disease in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes. Design  A cross-sectional, hospital-based study of diabetic complications with an LMNA gene background. Patients  One hundred and sixty-six Japanese men with type 2 diabetes. Measurements  LMNA 1908C/T polymorphism (by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism, PCR-RFLP); diabetic retinopathy (by standard fundus photography); diabetic nephropathy (by urinary albumin excretion rate); diabetic neuropathy (by signs, symptoms and/or nerve conduction velocity); coronary heart disease (by symptoms of typical chest pain and/or history of myocardial infarction, and ischaemic electrocardiographic alteration and/or coronary artery bypass graft surgery); cerebral vascular disease (by ultrasonography, computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging). Results  Carriers of the LMNA 1908T allele manifested a significantly higher prevalence of diabetic nephropathy and cerebral vascular disease than carriers of the C allele. Multiple regression analysis showed that the LMNA 1908T allele tended to be associated with cerebral vascular disease, but was independent of age, hypertension, total cholesterol or triglyceride [odds ratio (OR) 7·03, P = 0·0611]. Similarly, the LMNA 1908T allele showed a significant association with diabetic nephropathy, not independent of total cholesterol or triglyceride. Conclusions  The LMNA 1908C/T polymorphism plays an important role in the development of cerebral vascular disease and diabetic nephropathy in Japanese men with type 2 diabetes.