Molecular Study Of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme And Endothelial Nitric Oxide Gene In Patients With Type 2 Diabetes And Relationship With Nephropathy

Abstract

This study investigates the molecular association between diabetic nephropathy (DN) and genetic variations in the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) genes, both of which are critical in vascular and renal function. A total of 210 individuals were enrolled, including 120 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and 90 healthy controls. PCR and DNA sequencing were used to analyze ACE and eNOS gene polymorphisms. The ACE gene showed polymorphic bands at 175 bp and 400 bp, indicating genetic variation among diabetic and nephropathy patients. In contrast, the eNOS gene consistently appeared at 470 bp across all groups, suggesting its stable presence. DNA sequencing confirmed a 95–100% match with reference sequences from NCBI, and two novel eNOS genotypes were identified in Mosul, Iraq. These findings suggest that ACE gene polymorphisms may contribute to DN susceptibility, while eNOS gene stability may reflect its conserved role in endothelial function. The discovery of new eNOS variants highlights the potential for regional genetic diversity. Overall, this study supports the hypothesis that genetic variations in ACE and eNOS may influence DN development and progression, and further research into these markers could enhance early detection and risk assessment in diabetic populations.