Enzyme Polymorphism and Clinical Variability of Diseases: A Study of Diabetes Mellitus

Document Type

Article

Authors

F. Gloria-Bottini, Department of Human Development, 2d University of Rome, School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
G. Gerlini, Department of Child Health, 1st University of Rome, School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
N. Lucarini, Department of Genetics, University of Camerino, School of Science, Camerino, Italy
P. Borgiani, Department of Genetics, University of Camerino, School of Science, Camerino, Italy
M.C. Gori, Department of Child Health, 1st University of Rome, School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
A. Amante, Department of Child Health, 1st University of Rome, School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
E. Bottini, Department of Human Development, 2d University of Rome, School of Medicine, Rome, Italy

Abstract

We investigated possible relations among four common neonatal manifestations of diabetic pregnancy (macrosomia, hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, jaundice) and four enzyme polymorphisms (PGM 1, ADA, AK1, ACP1) in a sample of infants bom of diabetic mothers. The pattern of associations observed between the two sets of variables is consistent with known differences in enzymatic activity within phenotypes of each system, suggesting that low enzymatic activity may have unfavorable effects on fetal development and on adaptability of the neonate to the extrauterine environment. Some of the polymorphic enzymes studied influence fetal growth in normal pregnancy as well. Analysis of relations between genetic polymorphisms and the clinical pattern of common diseases may provide a better understanding of the genetic basis of the clinical variability of diseases within and between human populations.

Recommended Citation

Gloria-Bottini, F.; Gerlini, G.; Lucarini, N.; Borgiani, P.; Gori, M.C.; Amante, A.; and Bottini, E. (1989) "Enzyme Polymorphism and Clinical Variability of Diseases: A Study of Diabetes Mellitus," Human Biology: Vol. 61: Iss. 4, Article 8.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/humbiol/vol61/iss4/8