Association of ABO blood groups with type-2 diabetes mellitus and its complications

Abstract

Karl Landsteiner first described the ABO blood group in 1900.1 Blood grouping is based on antigenic property of red blood cells (RBC). The major h10uman blood group system is ABO. The blood group of a person depends upon the presence or absence of two genes A and B. The majority of ABO determinants are expressed on the ends of long polylactosamine chains.2 The gene for ABO group is present on chromosome 9 and on chromosome 1 for Rh system. The ABO system consists of complex carbohydrate molecules. Ever since the discovery of blood groups in 1900, there have been efforts to discover a possible association between ABO and Rh blood groups and different diseases.3 Certain diseases show strong association with the ABO blood groups, notably, peptic ulcer is much higher in blood group O4 whereas stomach cancer,5 tumors of salivary glands6 are more frequent in blood group A individuals. Many reports have appeared in recent years suggesting an association between blood groups and diabetes mellitus.7 The etiology of diabetes mellitus is complex and appears to involve interactions of genetic, immunological and environmental factors.8 In fact, human chromosome 1q21-q23 showed well replicated linkage to type-2 diabetes mellitus.9