Surfactant Protein D Gene Polymorphism was Associated with the Susceptibility of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Case Control Study

Background: Surfactant protein D (SP-D) is a critical component of the innate immune system intrinsically linked to energetic metabolism. However, the relationship of SP-D gene polymorphisms and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) remains unclear yet. In this study, we analyzed SP-D gene polymorphisms in GDM patients and non-diabatic controls, and then determined the association of SP-D gene polymorphisms with GDM.MethodsWe examined a common genetic polymorphism located in the SP-D coding region (rs721917, Met31Thr) with GDM patients (n = 147) and healthy pregnant controls (n = 97) by using a PCR-RFLP technique. The level of SP-D protein in serum of GDM patients and non-diabetic controls was determined by ELISA method. The gene and allele frequencies od SP-D and their association with GDM as well as SP-D protein level were analyzed using SPSS software.ResultsWe found that there exists a significant association of the SP-D polymorphism (rs721917) with GDM. SP-D (T/T) genotype had 11.6% and 21.6% in GDM and matched healthy controls, respectively (P<0.05); indicating women with (T/T) genotype have lower prevalence of GDM (OR = 0.473). Women with T/C genotypes showed an increased risk of GDM (OR = 2.440). We did not observe corrections between glucose homeostasis markers and SP-D genotypes in the women patients with GDM. Furthermore, serum SP-D level was higher in the GDM compared to matched healthy controls.ConclusionsThis study has found the first evidence that SP-D gene polymorphism (rs721917) was associated with GDM, which may provide the basis for further study how SP-D plays a regulatory role in GDM.