The association of soluble IGF2R and IGF2R gene polymorphism with type 2 diabetes

The aim of this study is to investigate the insulin-like growth factor type 2 (IGF2R) gene and circulating soluble IGF2R in relation to type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Six hundred fifty-four subjects without history of diabetes were screened for diabetes by oral glucose tolerance test. In addition, 145 subjects with known diabetes were recruited from a local diabetes clinic. Circulating IGF2R levels were measured by ELISA method; plasma glucose was measured by colorimetric method; insulin levels were determined by chemiluminescent method; IGF2R gene rs416572 was genotyped using real-time PCR. The distributions of IGF2R genotypes were 69.2% CC, 27.8% CT, and 3.0% TT. The C allele was more commonly found in diabetes subjects, with a significant difference (P < 0.01). In the presence of the T allele, circulating IGF2R levels were significantly lower (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in other potential confounders including age, sex, and BMI. Only circulating IGF2R, age, and BMI were independently associated with the degree of insulin resistance, as assessed by the HOMA model. It was found that age, sex, and BMI were associated with beta cell function. In conclusion, IGF2R gene polymorphism and circulating IGF2R are associated with T2DM.