Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) −863C/A promoter polymorphism is associated with type 2 diabetes in Tunisian population

AimsTumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) plays a key role in orchestrating the complex events involved in inflammation and immunity. Accordingly, TNF α has been implicated in a wide range of autoimmune and infectious diseases, but also in conditions such as obesity and insulin resistance. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between the −863C/A polymorphism in the promoter of the TNFα gene and type 2 diabetes in the Tunisian population.MethodsThe polymorphism −863C/A in the TNFα gene was determined in 211 type 2 diabetes patients and 345 healthy controls using the Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis.ResultsA significant difference in genotype distribution and allele frequency was observed between patients and controls. Patients with type 2 diabetes had significantly higher frequency of the CA + AA genotypes compared to controls [35.5% vs. 22.3%; OR (95%CI), 1.91 (1.31–2.8); p = 0.001]. The type 2 diabetes patient group showed a significant higher frequency of the A allele compared to the controls (0.19 vs. 0.11; p = 0.001). After adjustment by a stepwise logistic regression method, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and CA + AA genotype were found to be significantly associated with T2D.ConclusionThe present study showed a significant and independent association between the −863C/A polymorphism of the TNFα gene and type 2 diabetes in the Tunisian population.