Association of Interleukin-10 (-592A/C) Gene Polymorphism with its Level in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with and without Nephropathy

Objectives: Several candidate genes are implicated in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), one of which is interleukin (IL-10). In this investigation, we aimed to study the association between IL-10 (-592A/C) gene polymorphism with its level in T2DM with and without nephropathy. Methods: IL-10 (-592A/C) gene polymorphism was genotyped using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP-PCR) technique and IL-10 levels were measured in two groups of T2DM, one group complicated with nephropathy and the second non-complicated. Results: Our results revealed no significant differences in IL-10 (−592A/C) genotypes distribution between the two groups of T2DM patients. IL-10 levels were found significantly elevated in diabetic nephropathy patients compared to T2DM without nephropathy (P<0.05) and were positively correlated to the degree of albuminuria (r=0.61, P<0.01). IL-10 levels increased in IL-10- (−592C/C) genotype compared to IL-10-(−592A/A) and IL-10- (−592A/C) genotypes in diabetic nephropathy patients while such difference was not found in T2DM patients without nephropathy. Conclusion: IL-10 (-592A/C) gene polymorphism and IL-10 level play a role in the pathogenesis of nephropathy in T2DM.