The etiological effect and genetic risk of +252 A/G variant of TNF‐β gene related to the susceptibility of urinary tract infection in a sample of Iraqi patients with type 2 diabetes: A case control study

Abstract

AbstractBackground and aimUrinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common infection in type 2 diabetes patients. TNF‐β is a cytokine with multiple functions in immunomodulatory and inflammatory mechanisms. The variation at position +252 A/G of TNF‐β impacts both gene expression and plasma concentration of TNF‐β proteins. The findings may shed light on the genetic factors that predispose diabetic patients in Iraq to UTIs.MethodsA total of 200 individuals were divided into 100 patients with type 2 diabetes, categorized according to UTI, and 100 control subjects. Genetic analysis of +252 A/G of the TNF‐β gene was carried out using the TaqMan probe allele discrimination method. The level of TNF‐β was estimated by the ELISA technique.ResultsIn the recessive model (GG vs. AA/AG) of TNF‐β + 252 A/G in T2D/UTI patients compared to controls, a significant association p = 0.029 (OR: 2.8; CI 95% = 1.14–7.09): E = 15.6% was observed. Furthermore, in T2D patients without UTI, the dominant model AA versus AG/GG was associated with a preventive role P: 31.3% (OR: 0.4; CI 95% = 0.22–0.88) and a p value = (0.02). Overall, AG proportions showed a high level of TNF‐β within the control group p = 0.03, while all proportions of the +252 A/G showed significant differences in TNF‐β level between groups p ≤ 0.05. Pearson's correlation analysis observed a link between TNF‐ levels, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and HbA1c.ConclusionIn T2D patients, the G allele may be linked to a higher probability of UTI, as well as an increased level of TNF‐β in a genotype‐dependent manner.