[Polymorphism of the chymase gene and development of retinopathy in type 2 diabetic patients]

Diabetic retinopathy is one of the major causes of blindness in developed countries. Among the factors involved in development of retinopathy genetic factors related to the generation of angiotensin II are mentioned. Recently was described that tissue chymase enzyme is the alternative trait for angiotensin II formulation. The aim of the study was assessment of association of CMA/B hCC polymorphism of chymase gene with the development and progression of diabetic retinopathy. The study was conduced in 587 type 2 diabetic patients with diabetes duration longer than 10 years. Mean age 62.8 +/- 8.58, mean duration 16.7 +/- 5.66, HbA1c 8.23 +/- 1.71, BMI 29.1 +/- 4.91. Ophthalmological examination was performed to determine the presence of retinopathy. Next polymorphism CMA/B hCC chymase gene by PCR method was assessed. Gene distribution was estimated by chi-square test. In the whole examined group no significant changes of gene distribution was found. However, in female group without retinopathy the tendency to lower incidence of GG genotype was observed (p = 0.06). When assessed the female group without retinopathy despite 15 years duration of diabetes frequency decrease of GG genotype was significant (p = 0.04). According to the results we conclude that CMA/B hCC chymase gene polymorphism is associated with the presence of diabetic retinopathy. Association is expressed by decreased frequency of GG genotype in female group without retinopathy.