Aim
Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common infection in type 2 diabetes patients. TNF-β is a cytokine with multiple functions in immunomodulatory and inflammatory mechanisms. The variation at position +252 A/G of TNF-β impacts both gene expression and plasma concentration of TNF-β proteins. The findings may shed light on the genetic factors that predispose diabetic patients in Iraq to UTIs.
Conclusion
In T2D patients, the G allele may be linked to a higher probability of UTI, as well as an increased level of TNF-β in a genotype-dependent manner.
Methods
A total of 200 individuals were divided into 100 patients with type 2 diabetes, categorized according to UTI, and 100 control subjects. Genetic analysis of +252 A/G of the TNF-β gene was carried out using the TaqMan probe allele discrimination method. The level of TNF-β was estimated by the ELISA technique.
Results
In the recessive model (GG vs. AA/AG) of TNF-β + 252 A/G in T2D/UTI patients compared to controls, a significant association p = 0.029 (OR: 2.8; CI 95% = 1.14-7.09): E = 15.6% was observed. Furthermore, in T2D patients without UTI, the dominant model AA versus AG/GG was associated with a preventive role P: 31.3% (OR: 0.4; CI 95% = 0.22-0.88) and a p value = (0.02). Overall, AG proportions showed a high level of TNF-β within the control group p = 0.03, while all proportions of the +252 A/G showed significant differences in TNF-β level between groups p ≤ 0.05. Pearson's correlation analysis observed a link between TNF- levels, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and HbA1c.