FACTOR-VII GENE POLYMORPHISMS, FACTOR VII-C LEVELS AND FEATURES OF INSULIN-RESISTANCE IN NON-INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETES-MELLITUS

The macrovascular complications of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mell itus (NIDDM) are related to the features of insulin resistance (IR). H igh Factor VII:C (FVII:C) levels are associated with increased cardiov ascular risk and relate to a base change in the MI gene detected by Ms p I endonuclease, and also to an insertion polymorphism in the promote r region. To examine the association between FVII:C levels, genotype a nd features of IR, 95 NIDDM patients were studied. Genotype was relate d to FVII:C levels (M1M1 137%, n = 75; M1M2 and M2M2 114%, n = 20, p < 0.005; AA 136%, n = 71; Aa 119%, n = 21, p <0.05), which is consistent with previous studies in healthy populations. FVII:C correlated with cholesterol (r = 0.51, p <0.0005), insulin (r = 0.36, p = 0.002), trig lycerides (r = 0.34, p = 0.001), age (r = 0.23, p <0.005) and body mas s index (r = 0.23, p <0.05). When analysed by Msp I genotype, the stro nger predictor of FVII:C levels, these correlations remained, with no difference in regression slopes. In a multiple regression model, genot ype, cholesterol, insulin, and gender remained as independent predicto rs of FVII:C levels. In conclusion, FVII:C concentrations are elevated in NIDDM in relation to both FVII genotypes and features of IR.