Background: Metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) is involved in the degradation of extracellular matrix molecules, and its polymorphism rs17576 (Gln279Arg) has been associated with diabetes. We investigated the association of rs17576 in a case-control study with Euro-Brazilian women with gestational diabetes.
Methods: The study group consisted of a total of 262 Euro-Brazilian pregnant women classified as either healthy (n = 131, control) or with GDM (n = 131). Fluorescent probes with real time PCR (TaqMan system) were applied for genotyping.
Results: All groups were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The minor allele frequencies (G-allele) for rs17567 in healthy and GDM women were 27.1% [95% CI, 22 - 32] and 37.4% [95% CI, 32 - 43], p = 0.011, respectively. Genotypic comparison showed a significant difference (p < 0.05) between the groups.
Conclusions: Polymorphism rs17567 was associated with GDM in the studied population and carriers of the G-allele showed an increased risk for gestational diabetes (Odds ratio 1.61; 95% CI, 1.1 - 2.3).