Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is known to cause dyslipidemia and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Fatty acid binding protein (FABP)-4 plays a significant role in various stages of T2DM and CVD. Although it has been demonstrated that genetic variations of the FABP-4 gene can affect insulin sensitivity, the results obtained so far are controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible association between T87C and rs8192688 polymorphisms and serum levels of FABP-4 with CVD susceptibility in T2DM patients. The study included 70 healthy controls, 70 individuals with T2DM, and 70 T2DM patients with CVD. Genomic DNA was extracted, and FABP-4 T87C and rs8192688 gene polymorphic sites were amplified using the ARMS-PCR method. Lipid profile and FABP-4 serum levels were significantly higher in T2DM patients with CVD compared to those with only T2DM (p < 0.05). Additionally, FABP-4 T87C gene polymorphism (TC genotypes) and dominant model (TT vs. TC + CC) were significantly associated with a decreased risk of both T2DM and T2DM with CVD patients (p < 0.05). Patients carrying TC + CC genotypes had significantly lower levels of triglyceride and FABP-4 compared to those carrying the TT genotype (p < 0.05). There was no significant association between FABP-4 rs8192688 polymorphism and either T2DM or CVD disease. It appears that FABP-4 T87C polymorphism decreases FABP-4 levels leading to decreased serum TG levels. Since both T2DM and CVD have inflammatory backgrounds, reducing inflammation can improve insulin sensitivity and lower TG levels in these patients.
Keywords: FABP-4; T2DM; cardiovascular diseases (CVD); gene polymorphism; inflammation.