Paper Title
Association Of AGT (M268t) Gene Polymorphism In Diabetes And Nephropathy In Pakistan

Abstract
Diabetes mellitus is considered as a group of metabolic disorders which have multiple etiologies. Pathogenesis of nephropathy in diabetes is presented by variations in genes encoding the significant components of renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS) including angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensin receptor, angiotensinogen (AGT) genes. The present study was conducted to explore the possible association of AG (M268T) polymorphism in diabetic patients with nephropathy in Pakistan. Study subjects included 100 controls, 260 diabetic patients without renal insufficiency and 190 diabetic nephropathy patients with persistent albuminuria. Fasting blood samples were collected from all the subjects after getting institutional ethical approval and informed consent. The biochemical estimations, PCR amplification and direct sequencing for the specific region of AGT gene was carried out. A significantly high frequency of genotype (TT) and allele (T) of AGT (M268T) was observed in diabetic nephropathy as compared to normal control subjects and diabetic patients without any known renal impairment. The genotype (TT) and allele (T) of AGT (M268T) polymorphism may be measured as a risk factor for the expansion and progression of renal impairment in diabetes. Further cross sectional population studies would be of help to establish and confirm the observed possible association of AGT gene variations with development of nephropathy in diabetes. Keywords- RAAS, AGT (M268T), Diabetes, Nephropathy.