The presence of the 1068 G>A variant of P2X7 receptors is associated to an increase in IL-1Ra levels, insulin secretion and pancreatic β-cell function but not with glycemic control in type 2 diabetes patients

Abstract It has been reported that an increased function of the P2X 7 purinergic receptor is associated with an increase in both insulin sensitivity and secretion. Accordingly, we explored the possible effect of the 1068 G>A polymorphism of the gene P2RX7 on glucose homeostasis and the levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-1Ra in T2D patients. The presence of the 1068 G>A polymorphism in T2D patients (n = 100) and healthy subjects (n = 100) was determined by DNA sequencing, and serum levels of IL-1Ra were measured by ELISA. Pancreatic β-cell function, insulin resistance, blood glucose levels and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were also analyzed. We detected a significant negative association between T2D and the 1068 G>A SNP (Odds ratio 0.3916, p  = 0.0045). In addition, we observed that T2D patients bearing the 1068 G>A variant showed higher serum levels of IL-1Ra compared to both, patients with the GG genotype or healthy individuals (GG or G>A). Moreover, T2D patients bearing the 1068 G>A SNP showed increased insulin levels and a better pancreatic β-cell function ( p A SNP. Our results suggest that although the 1068 G>A polymorphism of the P2RX7 gene is associated with an increased β-cell function and IL-1Ra release in T2D patients, the glycemic control is not significantly affected by the presence of this SNP.