Betacellulin Gene Variants and Type 2 Diabetes in African Americans
Author Information
Author(s): Steven C Elbein, Xiaoqin Wang, Mohammad A Karim, Winston S Chu, Kristi D Silver
Primary Institution: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Hypothesis
We tested the hypotheses that these previously identified variants were associated with type 2 diabetes in African Americans and that they altered insulin secretion.
Conclusion
We were unable to confirm a role for nonsynonymous variants of betacellulin in the propensity to type 2 diabetes or to impaired insulin secretion.
Supporting Evidence
- None of the three variants were associated with T2DM in our population of 352 diabetic and 182 control individuals.
- Only L124M altered the acute insulin response to glucose.
- Genotype did not have any main effects on insulin sensitivity.
Takeaway
The study looked at gene changes in African Americans to see if they caused diabetes or affected insulin levels, but found no link.
Methodology
We genotyped three variants in 188 control subjects and 364 subjects with type 2 diabetes, and assessed insulin secretion in 107 subjects using intravenous glucose tolerance tests.
Limitations
The controls were relatively young, and the analysis of insulin secretion was based on only 107 individuals, which may limit power.
Participant Demographics
352 T2DM cases (188 male, 164 female) and 182 controls (91 male, 91 female), primarily African American.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.036
Confidence Interval
95% CI 390 mg/dl – 593 mg/dl for L124 homozygotes, 531 mg/dl to 822 mg/dl for M124 carriers
Statistical Significance
p>0.4
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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