Mitochondrial DNA (T/C) 16189 Polymorphism, Variants and Heteroplasmy among Filipinos with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Mitochondrial DNA polymorphisms have been implicated in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Data on these polymorphisms

are scarce among Asia-Pacific populations.

DNA extracted from peripheral blood of 30 Filipino adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and 28 normal controls were analyzed using

polymerase chain reaction, restriction enzyme digestion, and gel electrophoresis techniques.

The wild type allele was present in 46.7% (14/30) of diabetics compared to 28.6% (8/28) of controls. Four of the 30 diabetics (13.3%)

and 2 of the 28 controls (7.1%) had the (T/C) 16189 polymorphism. Different restriction enzyme digestion patterns with regions of

heteroplasmy were found in 51.7% (30/58). Diabetics with the 16189 polymorphism had lower body weights, body mass indices, and

abdominal circumferences, but had higher mean arterial pressures than diabetics with the wild type allele.

Further molecular studies need to be performed among the latter group of subjects to elucidate on these observed variations.