Abstract

Background
The intestinal fatty acid binding protein (FABP-2) is expressed in enterocytes and binds saturated and unsaturated long-chain fatty acids. FABP-2 Ala54Thr polymorphism was reported to have an influence on lipid metabolism. This study aimed to assess the relation of this polymorphism with peripheral atherosclerosis combined with type 2 diabetes mellitus in an Egyptian population.

Methods
The study included 100 diabetic patients with peripheral atherosclerosis and 100 control subjects. The Ala54Thr polymorphism was analyzed by PCR-RFLP. FABP-2 level was measured by ELISA technique. FBG, fasting serum insulin, HbA1c lipid profile, BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were all determined.

Results
The Thr54 allele had higher frequency among the patients group (p = 0.002). The heterozygote Ala54/Thr54 and the rare Thr54/Thr54 genotype carriers showed significant increase in BMI and FABP-2. Carriers of Thr54/Thr54 genotype had significantly decreased HDL-C. Carriers of Thr54/Thr54 genotype had significantly higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure than carriers of both Ala54/Ala54 and Ala54/Thr54 genotypes. FABP-2 level was positively correlated with BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and was negatively correlated with HDL-C.

Conclusions
The Thr54 allele of FABP-2 Ala54Thr polymorphism was associated with increased incidence of peripheral atherosclerosis combined with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the studied population.

The significant findings of the study
The Thr54 allele of FABP-2 Ala45Thr polymorphism showed association with increased incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus combined with peripheral atherosclerosis. The level of FABP-2 showed positive correlation with BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and negative correlation with HDL-C.