Abdulqader Wael Rasheid, Asmaa Ghafer, Shahad Tariq Hamad, Riyam Basim Ali, and B.D.H. Al-Khayali
Published: March 31, 2025
Genet. Mol. Res. 24 (1): gmr24126
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4238/gmr24126
About the Authors
Abdulqader Wael Rasheid, Asmaa Ghafer, Shahad Tariq Hamad, Riyam Basim Ali, and B.D.H. Al-Khayali
Corresponding author:
Shahad Tariq Hamad
E-mail: shahad.t@sc.uobaghdad.edu.iq
ABSTRACT
Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a multifactorial metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia and disturbances in carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism due to defects in insulin secretion, action, or both. Previous investigations have explored the relationship between lipase gene polymorphisms, particularly those affecting cholesteryl ester transfer, and DM risk, though results remain controversial. This study aimed to evaluate whether specific lipase gene variants are associated with lipid profile abnormalities in Iraqi diabetic patients and to examine potential links with coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: A meta-analysis of existing studies clarified the association between the lipase gene TaqIB polymorphism and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels in DM patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 160 Iraqi participants (90 DM patients and 70 controls). Serum lipids, including total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), were measured and compared between groups. Results: DM patients exhibited significantly higher TC, TG, LDL-C, and VLDL-C levels (P<0.0001) and markedly lower HDL-C (P<0.0001) than controls. The study group was predominantly male (75.55%), possibly reflecting healthcare-seeking trends. Among examined single nucleotide polymorphisms, the rs708272 (g.5454G>A) variant influenced HDL-C levels. Moreover, the LPL HindIII H+H+ genotype and H+ allele, along with the Ser447X XX genotype, were significantly linked to CAD risk, whereas the PvuII polymorphism showed no association. Conclusions: Specific lipase gene polymorphisms may contribute to dyslipidemia in DM and serve as potential biomarkers for CAD risk in the Iraqi population. Further research is needed to confirm these findings in this cohort.
Key words: Lipase polymorphism; Coronary heart disease; Cholesterol; Triglyceride; RFLP.