The rs1800469 T/T and rs1800470 C/C genotypes of the TGFB1 gene confer protection against diabetic retinopathy in a Southern Brazilian population.

The transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFB1) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that plays a key role in the mechanisms of angiogenesis and breakdown of the blood-retina barrier, which are implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Polymorphisms in the TGFB1 gene have been associated with DR; however, results are still contradictory. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the potential association between two TGFB1 polymorphisms and DR.

The rs2442598 polymorphism in the gene is associated with risk for diabetic retinopathy in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus in a Brazilian population.

Objective: As studies have reported the involvement of angiopoietin-2 (ANGPT-2) in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy (DR), the aim of this study was to investigate the association between the rs2442598 polymorphism and DR.

Methods: This case-control study comprised 107 patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and DR (cases) and 129 patients with T1DM without DR (controls) and with ≥ 10 years of DM. The rs2442598 (G/A) polymorphism was genotyped by real-time PCR using TaqMan MGB probes.

MiR-30e-5p and MiR-15a-5p Expressions in Plasma and Urine of Type 1 Diabetic Patients With Diabetic Kidney Disease.

Introduction: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a common microvascular complication that affects 40% of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Emerging evidence suggests a role for several microRNAs (miRNAs) in the development of DKD. In this context, miR-15a-5p and miR-30e-5p have been shown to regulate the expression of the uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2), a mitochondrial protein that decreases reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation by the mitochondria.