BACKGROUND: The present study was designed to investigate the association between the polymorphism of the SOX6 gene (rs16933090) and subclinical markers of carotid atherosclerosis, such as carotid intima media thickness (CIMT), the number of affected segments of carotid arteries and the sum of plaque thickness in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The second aim of the study was to demonstrate an association between the rs16933090 and subclinical markers of coronary artery disease in the same subset of patients with T2DM. METHODS: A total of 595 T2DM subjects were enrolled in the cross-sectional study. Markers of carotid atherosclerosis were assessed by ultrasonography. Additionally, in a subset of subjects with T2DM a coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) was performed for diagnostic purposes. Genotyping of SOX6 gene (rs16933090) was performed using KASPar assays. RESULTS: In our study we demonstrated the effect of the rs16933090 on coronary calcium score obtained at CCTA, whereas we did not demonstrate any association between the tested polymorphism (rs16933090) and the presence of more than 50% stenotic lesions in coronary arteries, the sum of plaque thickness, the number of involved carotid segments, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, the presence of carotid plaques, and the presence of unstable carotid plaques. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, we demonstrated the effect of the rs16933090 on coronary calcium score obtained at CCTA, whereas we did not demonstrate an important effect of the rs16933090 on either subclinical markers of carotid atherosclerosis or the presence of more than 50% stenotic lesions in coronary arteries in Caucasians with T2DM. We presume that the rs16933090 plays a minor role in the development of subclinical atherosclerosis in subjects with T2DM.
BACKGROUND: The present study was designed to investigate the association between the polymorphism of the SOX6 gene (rs16933090) and subclinical markers of carotid atherosclerosis, such as carotid intima media thickness (CIMT), the number of affected segments of carotid arteries and the sum of plaque thickness in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The second aim of the study was to demonstrate an association between the rs16933090 and subclinical markers of coronary artery disease in the same subset of patients with T2DM. METHODS: A total of 595 T2DM subjects were enrolled in the cross-sectional study. Markers of carotid atherosclerosis were assessed by ultrasonography. Additionally, in a subset of subjects with T2DM a coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) was performed for diagnostic purposes. Genotyping of SOX6 gene (rs16933090) was performed using KASPar assays. RESULTS: In our study we demonstrated the effect of the rs16933090 on coronary calcium score obtained at CCTA, whereas we did not demonstrate any association between the tested polymorphism (rs16933090) and the presence of more than 50% stenotic lesions in coronary arteries, the sum of plaque thickness, the number of involved carotid segments, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, the presence of carotid plaques, and the presence of unstable carotid plaques. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, we demonstrated the effect of the rs16933090 on coronary calcium score obtained at CCTA, whereas we did not demonstrate an important effect of the rs16933090 on either subclinical markers of carotid atherosclerosis or the presence of more than 50% stenotic lesions in coronary arteries in Caucasians with T2DM. We presume that the rs16933090 plays a minor role in the development of subclinical atherosclerosis in subjects with T2DM.