Type 2 diabetes typically manifests in adulthood but has been increasingly observed in younger individuals due to rising obesity rates and sedentary lifestyles. Its prevalence in Iraq ranges from 8.5% to 13.9%. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified numerous genetic variations linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. The SPX gene plays a crucial role in regulating energy and glucose metabolism. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within this gene can affect the function of the spexin protein, thereby elevating the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This study examined 100 Iraqi women with type 2 diabetes and 100 healthy controls for five SNPs in the SPX gene. PCR and Sanger sequencing were employed to investigate the correlation between serum spexin levels and the different genotypes of these five SNPs. While one SNP (rs780278792) showed no significant association with increased diabetes risk, the remaining four SNPs (rs1413328860, rs772766676, rs761986956, and rs1214680179) were significantly associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes. Comparisons of allele frequencies between the patient and control groups revealed significant differences in spexin levels. Overall, the findings of this study suggest that specific genetic variations within the SPX gene are linked to the risk of type 2 diabetes in Iraqi women, which could potentially serve as biomarkers for predicting diabetes susceptibility.
