Association of ApoE gene with type 2 diabetic nephropathy in a Chinese population: A meta-analysis of case-control studies

Studies based on Chinese populations reported that inconsistent results were found on the association of ApoE gene polymorphisms with type 2 diabetic nephropathy (T2DN). Therefore, we performed this meta-analysis to provide a reliable evaluation of the associations between ApoE gene polymorphisms and T2DN. MEDLINE, EMBASE, Chinese Wanfang database and Chinese VIP database were searched for studies that reported the associations of ApoE gene polymorphisms with type 2 diabetic nephropathy in a Chinese population up to Dec 2013. A meta-analysis was performed to assess heterogeneity and combine results by using software RevMan 4.3.1. Sensitivity analysis and publication bias were conducted. Data from 16 published studies involving 4320 individuals were eligible for inclusion. After heterogeneity test in each analysis, corresponding effect models were applied to quantitatively syntheses data. The ApoE allele e2 and genotype e2/e3 occurred more frequently in T2DN than in T2DNN and NC group. Their ORs and 95%CIs in T2DN were 1.75 (1.27-2.42) and 1.68 (1.20-2.38) when compared with T2DNN, respectively (P<0.05); 2.59 (1.74-3.85) and 2.43 (1.61-3.65) when compared with NC, respectively (P<0.05). The publication bias diagnostics test and sensitivity analysis confirmed the reliability and stability of this meta-analysis. These findings support the significant association between ApoE gene polymorphisms and T2DN. It was revealed that allele e2 and genotype e2/e3 were risk factors for T2DN and allele e3 and genotype e3/e3 played a protective role in T2DN. Further studies will be needed to confirm the conclusion. (C) 2015 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.