C allele of SCD1 rs7849 (T/C) polymorphism and Susceptibility to Type 2 Diabetes: A pilot study from Bangladesh

Abstract Background: Stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) activity, a key lipid metabolism regulator, may impact type 2 diabetes (T2D). Previously, we reported a significant functional interaction between SCD1 and T2D in the Bangladeshi population. In the present study, we investigated the relationship between the SCD1 rs7849 polymorphism and T2D risk variables (n = 90; mean age, 45 y; range, 30–70 y). Methods: 45 T2D patients and 45 healthy controls were recruited. Demographic and anthropometric data of the subjects were recorded and biochemical parameters were measured following standard protocols. Genomic blood DNA was extracted by PCR-RFLP method to identify the SCD1 gene rs7849 polymorphic variant and Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium for SCD1 gene variants was tested. Results: The results showed that the heterozygous allele (TC) for SCD1 at position 7849 has been associated with higher postprandial blood glucose levels (p-value < 0.05). Healthy non-diabetic individuals with the SCD1 rs7849 variant had higher BMIs than their diabetic counterparts (p-value < 0.05). Females with rs7849 heterozygous variants had significantly higher body composition and body fat distribution when compared between the genders (p-value < 0.05). Conclusions: This preliminary research from Bangladesh raises the possibility that genetic variations in the SCD1 gene may affect the propensity to type 2 diabetes.