Quantitative assessment of TLR4 gene polymorphisms and T2DM risk: A meta-analysis

Numerous studies have evaluated the association between TLR4 gene polymorphisms and T2DM risk. However, the findings were inconsistent and controversial.

In order to drive a more precise estimation, we carried out a meta-analysis based on 41 studies involving 23,250 cases and 24,760 controls. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the strength of association.

Our meta-analysis provides evidence that rs4986790 polymorphism was associated with an increased risk of T2DM in Asian (AG vs. AA, OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.01-1.50, p = 0.042; G vs. A, OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.01-1.44, p = 0.041). Rs4986791 polymorphism was related to an increased risk of T2DM both in Asian (AG vs. AA, OR = 1.76, 95% CI = 1.11-2.80, p = 0.017; G vs. A, OR = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.04-2.55, p = 0.034) and Caucasian (GG vs. AA, OR = 2.42, 95% CI = 1.23-4.75, p = 0.010). Rs11536889 polymorphism may have a protective effect on T2DM in Chinese populations (CC vs. GG, OR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.40-0.96, p = 0.031; GC vs. GG, OR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.61-0.98, p = 0.034; CC vs. GC/GG, OR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.69-0.96, p = 0.013; C vs. G, OR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.59-0.97, p = 0.027), whereas rs1927911 may have no impact.

These findings supported that rs4986790, rs4986791, and rs11536889 may contribute to the risk of T2DM.