Interaction Between the Haptoglobin Genotype and Vitamin E on Cardiovascular Disease in Diabetes

Curr Diab Rep. 2017 Jun;17(6):42. doi: 10.1007/s11892-017-0868-1.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Despite compelling evidence regarding the importance of oxidant stress in the development of vascular complications and observational studies suggesting that vitamin E may be protective from these complications, multiple clinical trials have failed to show benefit from vitamin E supplementation in the prevention of vascular complications in diabetes. One possible explanation for this failure of vitamin E may have been inappropriate patient selection. This review seeks to provide the clinical evidence and mechanistic basis for why a subset of individuals defined by their haptoglobin (Hp) genotype may derive cardiovascular protection by vitamin E supplementation.

Recent findings: Clinical trial data from the HOPE, ICARE, and WHS studies is presented showing a pharmacogenomic interaction between the Hp genotype and vitamin E on the development of CVD. Specifically, in individuals with diabetes and the Hp2-2 genotype, vitamin E has been shown to be associated with an approximately 35% reduction in CVD. Cardioprotection by vitamin E in individuals with the Hp2-2 genotype appears to be mediated in part by an improvement in HDL functionality as demonstrated in three independent trials in both type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Vitamin E may provide benefit in reducing CVD in Hp2-2 individuals with diabetes. However, in order for this pharmacogenomic algorithm to be accepted as a standard of care and used clinically, an additional large prospective study will need to be performed.

Keywords: Cardiovascular disease; Haptoglobin; High-density lipoproteins; Oxidative stress; Vitamin E.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antioxidants / therapeutic use*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / complications
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / physiopathology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / drug therapy
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / genetics*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / drug therapy
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / genetics*
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Genotype
  • Haptoglobins / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Oxidative Stress / physiology
  • Vitamin E / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Haptoglobins
  • Vitamin E