SNP rs2073618 of the osteoprotegerin gene is associated with diabetic retinopathy in Slovenian patients with type 2 diabetes.

Recent studies indicate that osteoprotegerin (OPG) acts as an important regulatory molecule in the vasculature. Also, a strong association was observed between circulation OPG and microvascular complication. By considering the possible role of OPG in diabetic retinopathy (DR) we examined two of the most studied polymorphisms of the OPG genes rs2073618 (located in exon I) and rs3134069 (located in the promoter region) and their relation to DR in Slovenian patients with type 2 diabetes. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the carriers of the CC genotype had a 2.2 higher risk for DR than those with either the CG genotype or the GG genotype (codominant model for rs2073618). Furthermore, the combined effect of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs2073618 and rs3134069 on the DR was stronger than that of each SNP alone. The odds ratio (OR) for individuals with CC genotype (rs2073618) and AA genotype (rs3134069) compared with carriers of CG/GG (rs2073618) + AA (rs3134069) was 2.54 (95% CI = 1.26-5.13, P = 0.01). To conclude, these results indicate that SNPs in the OPG gene may be implicated in the pathogenesis of DR.