Role of EPO and TCF7L2 Gene Polymorphism Contribution to the Occurrence of Diabetic Retinopathy

Objective: For studying the association of EPO (rs551238), EPO (rs1617640), and TCF7L2 (rs7903146) gene with diabetic retinopathy in Northern Chinese population. Methods: We conducted a case-control study, which enrolled 680 subjects and performed SNP genotyping and calculated allele frequencies. Results: When comparison was performed between DR patients and normal persons, the EPO (rs551238) AA genotype has a significant risk association with DR, and AC genotype has a significant protective association with DR. The EPO (rs551238) A allele has a significant risk association with DR, and C allele has a significant protective association with DR. When comparison was performed between DR patients and DM patients, the EPO (rs551238) CC genotype has a significant protective association with DR; the EPO (rs551238) A allele has a significant risk association with DR; and C allele has a significant protective association with DR. When comparison was performed between DR patients and normal persons, the EPO (rs1617640) GT genotype has a significant protective association with DR, and TT genotype has a significant risk association with DR. The EPO (rs1617640) G allele has a significant protective association with DR, and T allele has a significant risk association with DR. In addition, we found that TT genotype does not exist in rs7903146 of TCF7L2 in Chinese population so that the data could not be used. Conclusions: EPO (rs551238, rs1617640) genotype is a susceptible gene for DR in Chinese type 2 diabetic patients, especially the high-risk PDR.