Abstract:
The most common and debilitating complication associated with type 2 diabetes
mellitus (T2D) is diabetic foot ulcer (DFU), which can increase morbidity, amputation,
and the burden on the health system. It begins with a loss of sensory, motor, and
autonomic neural functions, leading to amputation and gangrene. Recent advancements
suggest that growth factors significantly contribute to the development of diabetic foot
ulcers in diabetic patients. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a highly dynamic cytokine
that is primarily involved in wound healing as well as tissue reconstruction after injury.
EGF gene polymorphism may provide a vision for the molecular mechanism of DFU
onset. The goal of this study was to find out the role of EGF gene polymorphism
rs4444903 (+61 A>G) with the pathogenesis of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU). This study
may enhance treatment strategies, potentially reducing DFU morbidity and recurrence.
The case-control-based study divided the subjects into two groups. Cases with DFU (n
= 58) and controls with T2D (n = 116). The subjects were diagnosed cases DM, and
DFU, were assessed using the SINBAD classification. The Tetra Primers Amplification
Refractory Mutation System-PCR technique was applied for the amplification and
detection of different alleles of EGF gene polymorphism. The Chi square test was used
for analysis, which showed EGF SNP rs4444903 was not statistically significant with
progression of DFU (p = 0.426). The odds ratio values at p 0.426 suggest that EGF
polymorphism is not significantly associated with the DFU but may still increase a risk.
The association of genotypes were analyzed by applying genotype models which
confirms that the heterozygous variant AG genotype in over-dominant model is
statistically significant confirming the risk factor for diagnosis of disease, AG+GG in
viii
dominant models is not statistically significant, GG in recessive model may play a
protective role and it’s the mutant genotype, whereas AG and GG in codominant model
are statistically significant and is associated with diagnosing DFU.
