Abstract
Purpose::
To study Haptoglobin (Hp) genetic phenotype correlations with EPO and ACE serum expression in diabetes with and without retinopathy.Haptoglobin (α 2- sialoglycoprotein) an acute phase inflammatory serum protein expressed by genetic polymorphism (2 alleles, 3 phenotypes) has been associated to diabetic retinopathy (DR). Erythropoietin (EPO) and Angiotensine converting enzyme (ACE) are upregulated in diabetic retinopathy (PDR).
Methods::
Hp genotypes 1.1, 2,1, 2.2 were determined using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, EPO (mIU/ml) serum levels measured by ELISA, and ACE (mlU/ml) by spectrophotometry in 54 diabetics, 32 with retinopathy. Statistical analysis was carried out using Student "t" test, ANOVA and X2 .
Results::
A high number of Hp 2.2 genotypes was observed in diabetics with retinopathy (41,7%) in relation to 2.1 (37.5%) and 1.1 (20,8.7%). In diabetic group without retinopathy the number of Hp 2.1 genotype individuals was greater ( 70,3%, p=0.028). Only in retinopathy group, Hp genotype 2.2 showed high EPO and ACE activity (p=0,06 and p<0,001 respectively) compared to other genotypes.
Conclusions::
Haptoglobin 2.2 genotype influencing EPO and ACE activities, could be a risk marker of DR suggesting its inflammatory and neoangiogenic nature, and possibly having therapeutic implications.
Keywords: diabetic retinopathy