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Haptoglobin genotype: a determinant of cardiovascular complication risk in type 1 diabetes

Tina Costacou1, Robert E Ferrell, Trevor J Orchard

  • 1Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. costacout@edc.pitt.edu

Diabetes
|March 12, 2008
PubMed

Insights

The haptoglobin genotype influences coronary artery disease (CAD) risk in type 1 diabetes. Individuals with the haptoglobin 2/2 genotype showed a significantly increased incidence of CAD events.

Area of Science:

  • Genetics and Cardiovascular Health
  • Diabetes Complications Research

Background:

  • Haptoglobin (HP) is a plasma protein that binds free hemoglobin, mitigating oxidative damage.
  • Individuals with type 1 diabetes have an increased risk of cardiovascular complications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between haptoglobin genotype and coronary artery disease (CAD) incidence.
  • To determine if HP genotype is a risk factor for CAD in childhood-onset type 1 diabetes.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 453 individuals with type 1 diabetes, free of CAD at baseline, was followed for 18 years.
  • Coronary artery disease (CAD) was defined by clinical events, electrocardiogram changes, or revascularization.
  • Haptoglobin (HP) genotype (1/1, 2/1, 2/2) was determined from DNA samples.

Main Results:

  • The prevalence of HP genotypes 1/1, 2/1, and 2/2 was 11.5%, 41.3%, and 47.2%, respectively.
  • During follow-up, 135 incident CAD events occurred.
  • The haptoglobin 2/2 genotype was associated with a 2.21-fold increased risk of CAD incidence (P=0.04) compared to HP 1/1, with a significant trend across genotypes (P=0.03).

Conclusions:

  • Haptoglobin genotype is a significant factor influencing cardiovascular risk in type 1 diabetes.
  • The haptoglobin 2/2 genotype may represent a specific genetic predisposition to CAD in this population.
Abstract

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