SA JOURNAL OF DIABETES & VASCULAR DISEASE
REVIEW
VOLUME 7 NUMBER 2 • JUNE 2010
69
Genetic determinants of type 2 diabetes in black
South Africans
A large study on the genetic basis of type 2 diabetes among black
South Africans has been initiated at the University of KwaZulu-Natal,
with financial support from Servier Laboratories, South Africa.
This is an important study as there is currently very little data avail-
able on the genetic polymorphisms that predispose to or protect black
Africans from developing type 2 diabetes. Equally, there is not a great
deal known about genetic polymorphisms in type 1 diabetes in black
South Africans, although Dr Fraser Pirie and co-workers have identified
a polymorphism in the TLR 3 gene which may be associated with type 1
diabetes in South Africans of Zulu descent in KwaZulu-Natal.
1
Smaller studies on black South Africans with type 2 diabetes have
been undertaken by Dr Pirie and colleagues to identify whether genetic
variants identified in European subjects could be detected in Indian and
African subjects. ‘These studies are small and statistically underpow-
ered, but have indicated that these variants present in Caucasians are
not well represented in our African population’, Dr Pirie pointed out.
The current study will be a full genome study of 1 500 type 2
diabetes patients and 1 500 controls from the African population of
Zulu descent in KwaZulu-Natal. Collaboration with Oxford University
will allow this large-scale genetic study to be done using automated
genetic profiling.
‘With 3 000 samples being evaluated, we should be able to deter-
mine which polymorphisms occur commonly in our population, and
relate these variants/loci to the occurrence of type 2 diabetes, hyperten-
sion and obesity’, Dr Pirie said. ‘We are hoping to complete the study in
the next two to three years and provide unique data of significant value
to our South African and African communities’, Dr Pirie concluded.
This study will provide vital data, which are currently lacking, as to
the genetic basis of diabetes pertinent to African populations.
There are similar studies being undertaken in Uganda with support
from Universities in the UK and this will provide additional insights on
African communities.
Pirie FJ, Pegoraro R, Motala AA, Rauff S, Rom L, Govender T, Esterhuizen TM.
1.
Toll-like receptor 3 gene polymorphisms in South African blacks with type 1
diabetes.
Tissue Antigens
2005;
66
(2): 125–130.
Diabetic prevalence and genetic determinants of diabetes among black South
Africans: Servier supports South African diabetes studies
As part of its ongoing commitment to medical research, Servier has
funded the second prevalence and trend survey of diabetes among
urban Africans in South Africa. The last time a study of this kind was
undertaken was in the 1990s.
A second Servier-sponsored study to determine the genetic basis of
diabetes among the Zulu community has also been initiated to provide
essential information on the genetic vulnerabilities and trends in diabe-
tes in this South African community.
Steve Speller, CEO of Servier South Africa stressed the importance of
this initiative. ‘From Servier’s perspective, the support of research into
diabetes, be it epidemiological or scientific, remains an important prior-
ity for the company. The increase in incidence of diabetes in developing
countries such as South Africa has reached almost epidemic propor-
tions and research is therefore not only important to better understand
how to treat diabetes, but also to appreciate the magnitude of the
problem so that resources can be allocated appropriately.’
Prevalence study in urban Africans
The University of Cape Town’s Department of Medicine and the MRC
Research Unit for Chronic Diseases of Lifestyle initiated this prevalence
study as a collaborative undertaking. The study is being lead by Prof
Naomi Levitt (UCT) with Dr Krisla Steyn and co-workers from both insti-
tutions.
This study has already completed data collection among the rep-
resentative sample of 25- to 74-year-old urban Africans, randomly
selected from the townships of Langa, Guguletu, Crossroads, Nyanga
and Khayelitsha. More than a thousand participants were examined for
the presence of diabetes and other cardiovascular risk factors.
Commenting on the relevance of this study, Prof Levitt pointed out
that there are no available data that track the trends in diabetes preva-
lence in urban South Africans.
‘With increasing obesity and rapid urbanisation, with its accompa-
nying lifestyle changes and increases in psychosocial stress, diabetes
is highly likely to be on the increase in our African communities. This
Servier-sponsored study will be indicative of prevalence changes among
urban black South Africans in other major urban settings across the
country and will provide vital data for policy makers in Government’,
Prof Levitt stressed.
