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International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health logoLink to International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
. 2020 Apr 3;17(7):2439. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17072439

A Replication Study Identified Seven SNPs Associated with Quantitative Traits of Type 2 Diabetes among Chinese Population in A Cross-Sectional Study

Fan Yuan 1,, Hui Li 1,, Chao Song 1, Hongyun Fang 1, Rui Wang 1, Yan Zhang 1, Weiyan Gong 1, Ailing Liu 1,*
PMCID: PMC7177704  PMID: 32260174

Abstract

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified common variants for quantitative traits (insulin resistance and impaired insulin release) of type 2 diabetes (T2D) across different ethnics including China, but results were inconsistent. The study included 1654 subjects who were selected from the 2010–2012 China National Nutrition and Health Surveillance (CNNHS). Insulin resistance and impaired insulin release were assessed by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA). The study included 64 diabetes-related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which were done using Mass ARRAY. A logistic regression model was employed to explore the associations of SNPs with insulin resistance and impaired insulin release by correcting for the confounders. The 5q11.2-rs4432842, RASGRP1-rs7403531, and SEC16B-rs574367 increased the risk of insulin resistance with OR = 1.23 (95% CI: 1.04–1.45, OR = 1.35 (95% CI: 1.13–1.62), OR = 1.34 (95% CI: 1.07–1.67), respectively, while MAEA-rs6815464 decreased the risk of insulin resistance (OR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.71–1.00). CENTD2-rs1552224, TSPAN8-rs7961581 and ANK1-rs516946 was associated with increased risk of impaired insulin release with OR = 1.47 (95% CI: 1.09–1.99), OR = 1.25 (95% CI: 1.03–1.51), OR = 1.39 (95% CI: 1.07–1.81), respectively. Our findings would provide insight into the pathogenesis of individual SNPs and T2D.

Keywords: type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, impaired insulin release, SNP, HOMA-IR, HOMA-β

1. Introduction

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a severe chronic non-communicable disease concerning public health in China [1]. It may cause multiple organ complications such as diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy, and peripheral neuropathy, which has become a burden not only for individual physiology and psychology but also for allocation of health resources [2]. The pathogenesis of T2D is complicated, although lifestyle is a great contributor to the T2D epidemic, genetic determinants can also affect the T2D susceptibility [3]. Individuals carrying risk alleles predisposed to T2D are mediated by insulin resistance or abnormal insulin secretion [4]. Insulin resistance [5] is one critical process to the development of T2D, which means the function of pancreatic β-cells is commonly normal and insulin secretion is sufficient, but the insulin receptors are insensitive to insulin levels and the ability to stimulate glucose utilization is decreasing, or impairments in insulin signal transduction, resulting in a compensatory hyperinsulinemia [6]. Besides, insulin resistance is ordinarily related to obesity or other metabolic syndromes [7].

Insulin release decrease is another mechanism of T2D when pancreatic β-cells are impaired, and individuals are unable to utilize glucose which will cause high postprandial blood glucose. A majority of variants have been identified to associate with β-cell dysfunction [8], but evidence suggests that Asians might be more susceptible to insulin resistance than Europeans [9]. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for T2D have been widely carried out in different racial types, with the exception of T2D-associated genes, obesity-associated and birth weight-associated genes have also been found to relate to T2D, but results were inconsistent. For example, loci rs13266634 in gene SLC30A8 was associated with T2D in Russian and the Danish populations [10,11], while the link disappeared in African populations [12]. A common obesity-associated gene, FTO, has been confirmed to have an association with T2D in different countries, and several gene loci were associated with insulin resistance such as rs9939609 and rs1558902 [13,14]. Birth weight-associated loci rs6931514 in gene CDKAL1 was associated with reduced insulin secretion in Europeans [15], which suggested that the genetic variation was affected differently among races and geographic areas [2]. Insulin resistance and insulin release were assessed by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) in multiple studies based on fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and fasting serum insulin (FSIN) [4]. Thus, our aim was to replicate the relationship that has been confirmed in other ethnic groups, further, to explore novel loci that have never been clearly associated with T2D-related quantitative traits in the Chinese population, providing the pathogenesis of T2D.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Study Subjects

The data were from the 2010–2012 China National Nutrition and Health Surveillance (CNNHS). The CNNHS was a nationally representative cross-sectional surveillance conducted by the National Institute for Nutrition and Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (NINH, China CDC), which covered 31 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities (except for Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macao). Cluster random sampling with multi-stage stratification proportional to population size sampling design was used in recruiting subjects [16]. For the present study, subjects born in 1960, 1961, and 1963 were included, and those with a low call rate of variants (<50%), unqualified blood samples, failed DNA extraction, abnormal gene detection results, incomplete basic information, and those with T2D who took control measures were excluded. Finally, a total of 1654 subjects were included in the present study. The protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of NINH, China CDC (No.2013-010). Written informed consent was obtained from each subject.

2.2. Assessment and Definition of Insulin Resistance and Impaired Insulin Release

Fasting venous blood samples were taken from each subject in the morning. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) was measured using the glucose oxidize enzymatic method within 3 hours of blood collection. Fasting serum insulin (FSIN) was measured by radioimmunoassay. Insulin resistance and impaired insulin release were assessed by homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), homeostasis model assessment of beta cell function (HOMA-β), respectively, which was calculated by the following equation:

HOMA-IR = FPG × FSIN/22.5, HOMA-β = FSIN × 20/(FPG − 3.5) (with serum insulin in mU/L and plasma glucose in mmol/L) [4].

Insulin resistance was defined by exceeding the top quartile of HOMA-IR index value and impaired insulin release was defined under bottom quartile of HOMA-β index value in non-diabetic individuals [17].

2.3. Genotyping and SNP Selection

The genotype of 81 diabetes-related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected by Mass ARRAY (Agena, San Diego, CA, USA). SNPs’ exclusion criteria: (1) call rates <80%; (2) deviating from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium p < 0.001 (Table S1); (3) a minor allele frequency (MAF) of each SNP <5%. Finally, a total of 64 variants were involved in the present study, of which 22 SNPs had previously confirmed association with insulin resistance (Table S2), 27 loci were associated with insulin release (Table S3). The association of the left 15 loci with T2D had been indicated, however, whether these SNPs related to insulin release or insulin resistance were still unclear.

2.4. Demographic Characteristic, Physical Activity and Dietary Measurement

Questionnaires were used to obtain information. Self-reported educational levels were categorized into three levels: primary school or lower, junior middle school, senior high school or above. According to the per capita annual income of urban and rural households in 2011, the family economic level was divided into three levels: low (<20,000 RMB), middle (20,000–40,000 RMB) and high (>40,000 RMB). Smoking was coded as “yes” if smoking during the past 30 days. Drinking alcohol was coded as “yes” if drinking any type of alcohol during the past 12 months. Physical exercise was coded as “yes” if attending leisure time physical exercise during the past 3 months. The sedentary time was defined as time spent sitting or lying in leisure time.

Height, weight, and waist circumference was measured by trained investigators under standard operation procedure. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared (kg/m2).

The dietary intake was collected by food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and three consecutive (two weekdays and one weekend day) 24-h recalls which were described elsewhere [16]. The whole cereal and beans intake level was divided into low (less than 50 g per day), medium (more than or equal to 50 g and less than or equal to 150 g per day), and high (more than 150 g per day). Livestock and poultry intake level was divided into low (less than 40 g per day), medium (more than or equal to 40 g and less than or equal to 75 g per day), and high (more than 75 g per day) based on the recommendations of Dietary Guideline for Chinese Residents (2016) [18].

2.5. Statistical Analysis

Data analyses were conducted using statistical analysis system (SAS) 9.4 software (SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA). A Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium test was performed for each SNP of non-diabetic individuals by chi-square test [19]. Continuous variables were expressed as mean ± SD, and categorical variables were presented as frequency and percentage. T-tests and chi-square tests were performed for comparisons of continuous and categorical variables between males and females, respectively. A logistic regression model was utilized to validate the association of individual SNPs with T2D-related quantitative traits corrected for confounders, including gender, economical status, education levels, BMI, waist circumference, sedentary time, exercise, whole cereal and beans intake levels, livestock and poultry intake levels, drinking, and smoking. Two-tailed p < 0.05 regarded as statistical significance.

3. Results

3.1. Basic Characteristics of Study Subjects

Basic characteristics are shown in Table 1. The age of 1654 subjects (male 39.1%, female 60.9%) was 49.9 ± 1.5 years. The rate of impaired insulin release in males was 32.6%, which was higher than that in females (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between male and female in the rate of insulin resistance. There were significant differences between males and females in education level, smoking, drinking, whole cereal and beans intake levels, livestock and poultry intake levels, BMI, waist circumference, and exercise.

Table 1.

Basic characteristics of 1654 subjects.

Characteristics Total Male Female p Value
Total 1654 647 (39.1%) 1007 (60.9%)
Age (year) 49.9 ± 1.5 49.9±1.5 49.9 ± 1.5 0.9347
Insulin resistance 0.0950
No 1189 (71.9%) 480 (74.2%) 709 (70.4%)
Yes 465 (28.1%) 167 (25.8%) 298 (29.6%)
Impaired insulin release 0.0050
No 1179 (71.3%) 436 (67.4%) 743 (73.8%)
Yes 475 (28.7%) 211 (32.6%) 264 (26.2%)
Education level <0.0001
Illiterate or primary school 563 (34%) 140 (21.6%) 423 (42.0%)
Middle school 723 (43.7%) 327 (50.5%) 396 (39.3%)
Senior school 368 (22.2%) 180 (27.8%) 188 (18.7%)
Economic status 0.7453
Low 839 (52.7%) 324 (52.1%) 515 (53.1%)
Middle 633 (39.8%) 254 (40.8%) 379 (39.1%)
High 119 (7.5%) 44 (7.1%) 75 (7.7%)
Smoking <0.0001
No 1164 (70.5%) 204 (31.6%) 960 (95.4%)
Yes 487 (29.5%) 441 (68.4%) 46 (4.6%)
Drinking <0.0001
Yes 1121 (67.9%) 250 (38.7%) 871 (86.6%)
No 531 (32.1%) 396 (61.3%) 135 (13.4%)
Whole cereal and beans intake levels 0.0171
Low 1080 (86.5%) 425 (88%) 655 (85.5%)
Medium 133 (10.6%) 39 (8.1%) 94 (12.3%)
High 36 (2.9%) 19 (3.9%) 17 (2.2%)
Livestock and poultry intake levels 0.0003
Low 517 (41.4%) 184 (38.1%) 333 (43.5%)
Medium 284 (22.7%) 93 (19.3%) 191 (24.9%)
High 448 (35.9%) 206 (42.7%) 242 (31.6%)
BMI (kg/m2) 24.3 ± 3.4 24.0 ± 3.4 24.5 ± 3.4 0.002
Waist circumference (cm) 82.2 ± 10.0 83.7 ± 10.4 81.3 ± 9.6 <0.0001
Exercise 0.0409
No 1500 (91.4%) 600 (93.2%) 900 (90.3%)
Yes 141 (8.6%) 44 (6.8%) 97 (9.7%)
Sedentary time (h/d) 2.7 ± 1.5 2.6 ± 1.4 2.7 ± 1.6 0.6235

Continuous variables were presented as mean ± SD, and categories variables were presented as N (%).

3.2. Association between Individual SNP and Insulin Resistance

As shown in Table 2 and Figure 1, three SNPs were associated with increased insulin resistance risk with adjusting for covariates, including 5q11.2-rs4432842 (OR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.04–1.45), RASGRP1-rs7403531 (OR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.13–1.62), SEC16B-rs574367 (OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.07–1.67). Rs11030104 in gene BDNF (OR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.01–1.39) with insulin resistance was found, which disappeared after adjusting for covariates (p = 0.184).

Table 2.

Association between each SNP and quantitative traits of T2D.

Identified Association to Loci Chr Reported Gene Risk/Other Allele Insulin Resistance Impaired Insulin Release
Model 1 Model 2 Model 1 Model 2
OR (95%CI) p Value OR (95%CI) p Value OR (95%CI) p Value OR (95%CI) p Value
T2D rs340874 1 PROX1 C/T 0.97(0.83,1.14) 0.718 0.96(0.81,1.13) 0.595 0.89(0.76,1.04) 0.137 0.90(0.76,1.05) 0.187
rs243021 2 BCL11A A/G 1.08(0.92,1.27) 0.362 1.07(0.89,1.27) 0.486 0.94(0.80,1.10) 0.436 0.94(0.80,1.11) 0.483
rs2943641 2 IRS1 C/T 1.20(0.89,1.62) 0.226 1.26(0.92,1.73) 0.157 1.00(0.75,1.32) 0.985 0.98(0.74,1.31) 0.911
rs3923113 2 GRB14 A/C 1.03(0.83,1.30) 0.770 1.02(0.80,1.30) 0.852 1.16(0.92,1.46) 0.210 1.15(0.91,1.45) 0.247
rs7593730 2 RBMS1, ITGB6 C/T 1.08(0.87,1.33) 0.509 1.08(0.86,1.35) 0.532 0.91(0.74,1.12) 0.375 0.91(0.74,1.13) 0.399
rs780094 2 GCKR C/T 1.09(0.93,1.28) 0.284 1.10(0.93,1.30) 0.293 1.00(0.85,1.17) 0.964 0.97(0.83,1.14) 0.726
rs1470579 3 IGF2BP2 C/A 0.98(0.82,1.18) 0.854 1.04(0.86,1.25) 0.716 1.04(0.87,1.24) 0.646 1.04(0.86,1.24) 0.708
rs16861329 3 ST6GAL1 T/C 0.84(0.70,1.02) 0.081 0.89(0.72,1.09) 0.246 0.86(0.71,1.04) 0.118 0.85(0.70,1.03) 0.103
rs4607103 3 ADAMTS9 C/T 1.13(0.97,1.33) 0.123 1.15(0.97,1.37) 0.099 0.87(0.74,1.01) 0.067 0.87(0.74,1.02) 0.083
rs4858889 3 SCAP A/G 1.01(0.81,1.26) 0.908 1.07(0.84,1.35) 0.587 0.93(0.75,1.16) 0.539 0.90(0.72,1.13) 0.358
rs7612463 3 UBE2E2 C/A 0.89(0.73,1.07) 0.205 0.86(0.70,1.05) 0.142 1.04(0.86,1.25) 0.723 1.06(0.87,1.29) 0.561
rs831571 3 PSMD6 C/T 1.10(0.93,1.29) 0.256 1.11(0.93,1.32) 0.262 1.02(0.87,1.20) 0.775 1.01(0.85,1.19) 0.956
rs6815464 4 MAEA C/G 0.85(0.73,1.00) 0.053 0.84(0.71,1.00) 0.044 1.12(0.96,1.32) 0.153 1.15(0.98,1.35) 0.098
rs459193 5 ANKRD55 G/A 1.02(0.88,1.19) 0.780 1.07(0.91,1.26) 0.434 1.02(0.87,1.18) 0.854 1.01(0.87,1.19) 0.865
rs10946398 6 CDKAL1 C/A 0.96(0.81,1.13) 0.592 0.93(0.79,1.11) 0.430 1.01(0.86,1.18) 0.921 1.03(0.88,1.22) 0.707
rs1535500 6 KCNK16 T/G 0.93(0.80,1.09) 0.390 0.91(0.77,1.07) 0.239 1.06(0.91,1.23) 0.492 1.06(0.90,1.24) 0.486
rs9470794 6 ZFAND3 C/T 0.97(0.82,1.14) 0.691 1.00(0.84,1.19) 0.973 1.10(0.93,1.29) 0.256 1.08(0.92,1.28) 0.343
rs2191349 7 DGKB, TMEM195 T/G 1.07(0.91,1.25) 0.419 1.04(0.88,1.23) 0.648 0.93(0.79,1.08) 0.329 0.91(0.77,1.06) 0.225
rs4607517 7 GCK A/G 1.09(0.91,1.31) 0.354 1.06(0.87,1.29) 0.550 0.96(0.79,1.15) 0.629 0.97(0.81,1.18) 0.783
rs864745 7 JAZF1 T/C 1.03(0.85,1.24) 0.783 1.01(0.82,1.23) 0.951 0.92(0.76,1.11) 0.367 0.95(0.79,1.15) 0.600
rs972283 7 KLF14 G/A 0.92(0.77,1.09) 0.332 0.93(0.77,1.12) 0.449 0.99(0.84,1.18) 0.928 1.00(0.84,1.19) 0.969
rs13266634 8 SLC30A8 C/T 1.07(0.91,1.25) 0.424 1.07(0.90,1.28) 0.416 1.11(0.95,1.30) 0.196 1.12(0.95,1.32) 0.164
rs516946 8 ANK1 C/T 1.15(0.90,1.48) 0.271 1.27(0.97,1.65) 0.083 1.42(1.10,1.83) 0.008 1.39(1.07,1.81) 0.014
rs896854 8 TP53INP1 T/C 0.95(0.81,1.12) 0.560 0.96(0.81,1.15) 0.683 0.99(0.84,1.16) 0.889 0.96(0.81,1.14) 0.639
rs10811661 9 CDKN2A, CDKN2B T/C 1.06(0.90,1.25) 0.500 1.10(0.93,1.31) 0.268 1.14(0.96,1.34) 0.131 1.15(0.97,1.36) 0.110
rs17584499 9 PTPRD T/C 1.10(0.86,1.41) 0.458 1.12(0.85,1.46) 0.427 0.90(0.70,1.17) 0.429 0.89(0.69,1.16) 0.404
rs2796441 9 TLE1 G/A 0.91(0.78,1.06) 0.231 0.93(0.79,1.10) 0.387 1.03(0.88,1.21) 0.691 1.03(0.88,1.21) 0.680
rs7041847 9 GLIS3 A/G 0.95(0.81,1.11) 0.526 0.98(0.83,1.16) 0.812 0.96(0.82,1.13) 0.627 0.93(0.80,1.10) 0.400
rs10886471 10 GRK5 C/T 1.03(0.85,1.25) 0.748 1.07(0.87,1.31) 0.538 1.17(0.96,1.42) 0.118 1.20(0.99,1.47) 0.068
rs10906115 10 CDC123, CAMK1D A/G 0.91(0.77,1.07) 0.262 0.97(0.81,1.16) 0.747 1.13(0.96,1.33) 0.139 1.10(0.93,1.30) 0.260
rs11257655 10 CDC123 T/C 0.90(0.77,1.06) 0.194 0.95(0.80,1.13) 0.538 1.12(0.96,1.31) 0.159 1.08(0.92,1.27) 0.366
rs5015480 10 HHEX C/T 1.18(0.96,1.44) 0.111 1.24(1.00,1.53) 0.054 0.90(0.73,1.10) 0.305 0.86(0.69,1.06) 0.161
rs10830963 11 MTNR1B G/C 0.99(0.84,1.16) 0.876 1.06(0.89,1.25) 0.524 1.09(0.93,1.27) 0.304 1.08(0.92,1.27) 0.371
rs1552224 11 CENTD2 A/C 0.75(0.58,0.98) 0.037 0.77(0.58,1.01) 0.063 1.39(1.03,1.86) 0.030 1.47(1.09,1.99) 0.013
rs2237892 11 KCNQ1 C/T 0.97(0.82,1.15) 0.719 0.97(0.81,1.16) 0.721 1.10(0.92,1.30) 0.300 1.12(0.94,1.34) 0.207
rs5215 11 KCNJ11 C/T 0.93(0.79,1.09) 0.362 0.90(0.76,1.07) 0.225 1.13(0.97,1.33) 0.123 1.15(0.97,1.35) 0.100
rs10842994 12 KLHDC5 C/T 1.09(0.89,1.34) 0.386 1.12(0.91,1.39) 0.293 0.95(0.78,1.15) 0.577 0.95(0.77,1.16) 0.606
rs7961581 12 TSPAN8, LGR5 C/T 0.86(0.71,1.05) 0.137 0.88(0.71,1.08) 0.208 1.25(1.04,1.50) 0.020 1.25(1.03,1.51) 0.022
rs11634397 15 ZFAND6 G/A 1.04(0.81,1.34) 0.742 1.10(0.84,1.44) 0.488 0.89(0.68,1.15) 0.365 0.87(0.67,1.13) 0.287
rs2028299 15 AP3S2 C/A 1.07(0.89,1.29) 0.472 1.09(0.90,1.32) 0.391 1.19(0.99,1.42) 0.065 1.17(0.97,1.41) 0.100
rs7172432 15 C2CD4A, C2CD4B A/G 1.16(0.98,1.36) 0.082 1.13(0.95,1.35) 0.156 1.15(0.98,1.35) 0.092 1.12(0.95,1.33) 0.166
rs7178572 15 HMG20A G/A 1.06(0.90,1.25) 0.480 1.09(0.92,1.30) 0.331 1.11(0.94,1.30) 0.219 1.09(0.92,1.28) 0.337
rs7403531 15 RASGRP1 T/C 1.32(1.12,1.56) 0.001 1.35(1.13,1.62) 0.001 0.95(0.81,1.13) 0.565 0.93(0.78,1.10) 0.373
rs1558902 16 FTO A/T 1.09(0.87,1.38) 0.454 1.05(0.82,1.34) 0.72 1.08(0.86,1.36) 0.507 1.08(0.86,1.37) 0.504
rs7202877 16 BCAR1 T/G 0.93(0.76,1.13) 0.443 0.93(0.75,1.15) 0.505 0.88(0.72,1.07) 0.184 0.89(0.73,1.08) 0.231
rs8050136 16 FTO A/C 1.08(0.85,1.36) 0.535 1.03(0.80,1.33) 0.805 1.09(0.86,1.37) 0.484 1.08(0.85,1.37) 0.525
rs4430796 17 HNF1B G/A 0.99(0.83,1.17) 0.884 0.96(0.80,1.16) 0.676 0.98(0.83,1.16) 0.824 0.98(0.82,1.17) 0.825
rs12454712 18 BCL2 T/C 1.02(0.87,1.19) 0.852 1.00(0.85,1.18) 0.966 1.00(0.86,1.17) 0.997 0.98(0.84,1.15) 0.815
rs12970134 18 MC4R G/A 0.93(0.76,1.15) 0.510 0.95(0.76,1.19) 0.656 1.10(0.89,1.36) 0.365 1.11(0.89,1.37) 0.355
rs8090011 18 LAMA1 G/C 0.92(0.77,1.09) 0.339 0.94(0.78,1.13) 0.476 1.10(0.93,1.32) 0.276 1.11(0.93,1.33) 0.249
rs10401969 19 CILP2 C/T 1.03(0.79,1.36) 0.826 1.00(0.74,1.33) 0.977 0.99(0.75,1.30) 0.937 0.98(0.74,1.30) 0.907
rs3794991 19 GATAD2A T/C 1.14(0.84,1.56) 0.392 1.12(0.80,1.56) 0.510 0.87(0.63,1.20) 0.392 0.86(0.61,1.20) 0.362
Birth weight rs724577 4 LCORL C/A 0.98(0.83,1.15) 0.764 1.04(0.88,1.25) 0.632 1.06(0.90,1.25) 0.486 1.03(0.87,1.21) 0.758
rs4432842 5 5q11.2 T/C 1.17(1.00,1.37) 0.050 1.23(1.04,1.45) 0.017 1.03(0.88,1.21) 0.701 1.04(0.89,1.22) 0.609
rs6931514 6 CDKAL1 G/A 1.00(0.85,1.19) 0.976 1.01(0.85,1.21) 0.882 0.93(0.79,1.10) 0.390 0.95(0.80,1.13) 0.562
rs1042725 12 HMGA2 T/C 1.00(0.83,1.22) 0.989 0.98(0.8,1.21) 0.864 0.98(0.81,1.19) 0.840 0.96(0.79,1.17) 0.716
BMI rs2568958 1 1p31 A/G 1.08(0.82,1.43) 0.582 1.10(0.81,1.49) 0.545 0.86(0.66,1.13) 0.276 0.85(0.64,1.11) 0.233
rs574367 1 SEC16B G/T 1.25(1.02,1.53) 0.033 1.34(1.07,1.67) 0.010 1.01(0.83,1.23) 0.925 1.01(0.83,1.24) 0.893
rs7561317 2 TMEM18 G/A 0.95(0.73,1.24) 0.725 0.98(0.74,1.3) 0.898 1.07(0.81,1.39) 0.645 1.11(0.84,1.46) 0.468
rs16892496 8 TRHR C/A 0.98(0.84,1.14) 0.783 1.00(0.85,1.18) 0.968 0.91(0.78,1.06) 0.224 0.90(0.77,1.05) 0.179
rs7832552 8 TRHR T/C 0.96(0.82,1.12) 0.585 0.98(0.83,1.15) 0.782 0.90(0.78,1.05) 0.193 0.89(0.76,1.04) 0.142
rs11030104 11 BDNF, BDNF-AS A/G 1.18(1.01,1.39) 0.041 1.12(0.95,1.33) 0.184 0.96(0.82,1.12) 0.582 0.95(0.81,1.11) 0.515
rs6265 11 BDNF, BDNF-AS C/T 1.14(0.97,1.34) 0.108 1.10(0.93,1.31) 0.263 0.95(0.81,1.11) 0.524 0.94(0.80,1.11) 0.467
rs9939609 16 FTO A/T 1.02(0.81,1.30) 0.846 0.97(0.75,1.25) 0.803 1.06(0.84,1.35) 0.612 1.06(0.83,1.35) 0.641

Model 1 was logistic regression model to analyze the association between individual SNP and quantitative traits without adjusting covariates. Model 2 was logistic regression model to analyses the association between individual SNP and quantitative traits with adjusting continuous covariates, BMI, waist circumference, and sedentary time, and categorical covariates, gender, economical status, education levels, exercise, whole cereal and beans intake levels, livestock and poultry intake levels, drinking, and smoking.

Figure 1.

Figure 1

Association of six SNPs with insulin resistance. (A) Model 1 was logistic regression model to analyze the association of individual SNP with quantitative traits without adjusting for any covariates. (B) Model 2 was logistic regression model to analyze the association of individual SNP with quantitative traits adjusting for gender, economical status, education levels, BMI, waist circumference, sedentary time, exercise, whole cereal and beans intake levels, livestock and poultry intake levels, drinking, and smoking.

MAEA-rs6815464 was associated with decreased insulin resistance with correction for covariates, the OR was 0.84 (95% CI: 0.71–1.00). CENTD2-rs1552224 had an association with decreased insulin resistance (OR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.58–0.98), while the link disappeared after controlling for covariates (p = 0.063).

3.3. Association between Individual SNP and Impaired Insulin Release

Association of CENTD2-rs1552224 (OR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.09–1.99), TSPAN8-rs7961581 (OR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.03–1.51) and rs516946 (OR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.07–1.81) with increased impaired insulin release were significant without or with adjustment for covariates. (See Table 2 and Figure 2)

Figure 2.

Figure 2

Association of three SNPs with impaired insulin release. (A) Model 1 was logistic regression model to analyze the association of individual SNP with quantitative traits without adjusting for any covariates. (B) Model 2 was logistic regression model to analyze the association of individual SNP with quantitative traits adjusting for gender, economical status, education levels, BMI, waist circumference, sedentary time, exercise, whole cereal and beans intake levels, livestock and poultry intake levels, drinking, and smoking.

4. Discussion

Among the 64 susceptible loci we examined, RASGRP1-rs7403531, ANK1-rs516946, and SEC16B-rs574367 had associations with insulin resistance. HHEX-rs5015480, CENTD2-rs1552224, and TSPAN8-rs7961581 were associated with impaired insulin release in the current Chinese population.

Our study has replicated the association of rs7403531 with insulin resistance, which was consistent with a previous study which reported that rs7403531 had been associated with T2D and higher insulin in Chinese Hans [20]. However, Sakai et al. [21] found no significant association of rs7403531 with T2D. Insulin sensitivity is one of the predictors of diabetes [22], therefore, these findings indicated that carriers of rs7403531 may be predisposed to T2D by decreasing insulin sensitivity. Additionally, rs7403531 had the same OR for insulin resistance after correcting for BMI, suggesting its association with insulin resistance might not be mediated through obesity.

Most studies were conducted to explore the association of rs574367 with BMI, but seldom T2D. The G allele of SEC16B-rs574367 increased the risk for obesity in different ethnic populations [23]. SEC16B-rs574367 could affect the synthesis and transcription of lipase, thus inhibiting the decomposition of fat, leading to the occurrence of obesity [24]. Several obesity-associated loci including rs574367 constructed a BMI gene risk score (BMI-GRS), which had an enhanced effect on log (HOMA2-IR) in the age- and sex-adjusted model among Chinese adults [25]. Our study found rs574367 had the same risk for increased HOMA-IR. Further study should be conducted to confirm the relationship.

MAEA-rs6815464 (macrophage erythroblast attacher) was reported as a T2D risk variant in Asians [26,27]. In the Chinese population, no significant association was observed with insulin resistance or insulin release, measured by fasting-based homeostasis model assessment [28]. A genome-wide association study identified MAEA gene altered T2D risk through insulin secretion [29]. However, in our study, rs6815464 had an association with decreased insulin resistance after adjustment for confounding factors. Therefore, further functional characterization study is required to elucidate its role in the pathogenesis of T2D.

A Mendelian randomization study has shown that lowered birthweight 5q11.2-rs4432842 could increase susceptibility to T2D [30]. However, it remains unclear what its role in the pathogenesis of T2D is. Our study found 5q11.2-rs4432842 was associated with increased risk of insulin resistance.

The association of rs516946 with T2D has been confirmed by previous studies [31,32]. ANK1-rs516946 was associated with impaired insulin release by decreasing insulinogenic and disposition indexes in a Danish cohort study [32]. The risk C allele of rs516946 with a larger waist circumference was found in a Han Chinese population [31]. After adjusting for waist circumference, the risk C allele of ANK1-rs516946 was associated with increased impaired insulin release in our study.

CENTD2-rs1552224 could increase the risk of T2D through reducing insulin secretion [11]. CENTD2-rs1552224 associated with decreased glucose-stimulated insulin release, which increased 30-min plasma glucose values by 2.0% and reduced insulin release 30 min after an oral glucose load by 4.2% [33]. CENTD2-rs1552224 increased the risk of impaired insulin release after correction for covariates in our study.

TSPAN8-rs7961581 increased the risk of T2D in a previous study in Han Chinese [34]. A study in Denmark confirmed that the C allele of TSPAN8-rs7961581 associated with decreased levels of corrected insulin response, of AUC-insulin/AUC-glucose ratio, and of the insulinogenic index [35]. Our study has replicated the association of TSPAN8-rs7961581 with T2D, TSPAN8-rs7961581 increased the risk of impaired insulin release by 25%.

The present study had some limitations. Firstly, the method of HOMA was not the golden standard to assess insulin resistance and impaired insulin release. The standard intravenous methods (euglycemic insulin clamp technique) and comprehensive indices should be used in the Chinese population to validate the relationship in future studies. Secondly, the participants in the present study were about 50 years old and too young to get enough cases of T2D. The small numbers may partly explain why no significant associations of some SNPs with the risk of quantitative traits of T2D were found.

5. Conclusions

In summary, we have replicated the association of seven SNPs and quantitative traits of T2D among the Chinese population, of which 5q11.2-rs4432842, RASGRP1-rs7403531, and SEC16B-rs574367 were associated with increased insulin resistance, MAEA-rs6815464 was associated with decreased insulin resistance, and ANK1- rs516946, CENTD2-rs1552224, and TSPAN8-rs7961581 were associated with increased impaired insulin release. Our results would provide insight into the pathogenesis of individual SNP and T2D.

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank all the participants who took part in this study and the staff of 31 provinces at the 2010–2012 China Nutrition and Health Surveillance.

Supplementary Materials

The following are available online at https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/7/2439/s1, Table S1: Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium test of T2D-associated loci, Table S2: Overview of investigated genetic variants associated with insulin resistance, Table S3: Overview of investigated genetic variants associated with insulin release.

Author Contributions

Data curation, F.Y., H.L.; formal analysis, F.Y., H.L.; methodology, F.Y., H.L.; project administration, A.L.; supervision, A.L.; writing—original draft, F.Y., H.L.; writing—review and editing, F.Y., H.L., C.S., H.F., R.W., Y.Z., W.G. and A.L. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research was funded by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81372990). The China National Nutrition and Health Survey 2010–2012 (CNHS 2010–2012) was funded by (Major program for health care reform from National Health and Family Planning Commission of the People’s Republic of China), grant number (20120212), which was the source of design for the study and collection, analysis, and interpretation of data and writing of the manuscript.

Conflicts of Interest

All authors declare no conflict of interest.

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